Blake Edwards is one of modern film's great farceurs. The rhythms and site gags of A Shot in the Dark never fail to break me up. I know every moment by heart. But it doesn't matter. Familiarity breeds laughter in this case.
The Pink Panther initiated one of the most successful comic film series. The follow-up, A Shot in the Dark is the only one that doesn't use the panther in the title. Inspector Clouseau takes center stage in this sequel. The daffy French policeman who boggles words and minds with equal equanimity. The bane of Commissioner's Dreyfus's existence, Clouseau manages to solve his cases through a thorough misunderstanding of everything.
When Clouseau is called upon to investigate a murder in the household of a wealthy man, everyone is suspect. The Inspector grills everyone with perfect ineptitude and instinctively knows that chief suspect, Maria Gambrelli must be innocent by virtue of her beauty alone. Clouseau stops short of salivating over her. The mansion setting with its beautiful front fountain provides some outstanding Edwards opportunities for comic explosion, Clouseau shows a special affinity for pool, and several wonderful characters are introduced to aid and abet Clouseau's insanity.
Not quit "Fast Eddie". ©MGM
Peter Sellers proves himself a comic genius as Clouseau. Body language and mangled speech patterns provide are delivered by Sellers with the nimbleness of a prima ballerina. Herbert Lom distinguishes himself with his frenetically nervous portrayal of Inspector Dreyfus. Lom's tics are perfectly practiced in response to the accidental assaults of Clouseau. A Shot in the Dark has two other great supporting assets. George Saunders struts with marvelous disdain as aristocratic Benjamin Ballon and Elke Sommer keeps a straight face and curvaceous body even under the dire circumstances of marching through a nudist colony with Clouseau. Burt Kwok makes an aggressive appearance as Clouseau manservant Kato and the wonderfully droll Graham Stark gives police colleague Hercule Lajoy an extra helping of straight lines.
Writer/director Edwards is in top form leading his troop of players to non-stop hilarity. The editing is crisp, the visual style snappy and Henry Mancini's charming Pink Panther theme helps keep a smile on everyone's face. Hallelujah Edwards!
There is some obvious element deterioration on the source for this A Shot in the Dark DVD. Minor scratches and dirt appear on some scenes but never to the extent that it disturbs the flow of the film. It appears there is also slight loss of color vitality in a few sequences. Generally, color is fully saturated. Blacks and shadow detail are fine. Image resolution is excellent. The film looks very nice and nothing interferes with the magnificent comedy. Dolby Digital 2 channel mono delivers clear dialogue. Some of the comic effects could have been enhanced by surround encoding.