The amiable if somewhat limited cartoon character of "The Pink Panther" was introduced in the animated opening credits of Blake Edwards' 1964 classic caper comedy of the same name; in the film proper, it was the nickname taken by cat burglar David Niven but the eventual franchise revolved around the antics of his inept nemesis Inspector Clouseau (which would soon become Peter Sellers' signature role).
In the concurrent cartoon series (which I used to watch as a kid on local TV and have subsequently acquired on DVD), the silent rosy feline took centre stage, albeit usually employed in more mundane occupations, like a house painter as in this very first instance – even if it was still pitted against a bungling, moustached albino who was Clouseau in all but name. The latter wants to paint the house in question blue and the protagonist, inevitably, wants it painted pink. The ensuing confrontation is certainly pleasant if hardly providing outstanding entertainment value, but it was enough for the short under review to cop an Academy Award.
In the concurrent cartoon series (which I used to watch as a kid on local TV and have subsequently acquired on DVD), the silent rosy feline took centre stage, albeit usually employed in more mundane occupations, like a house painter as in this very first instance – even if it was still pitted against a bungling, moustached albino who was Clouseau in all but name. The latter wants to paint the house in question blue and the protagonist, inevitably, wants it painted pink. The ensuing confrontation is certainly pleasant if hardly providing outstanding entertainment value, but it was enough for the short under review to cop an Academy Award.