The Pink Panther (1963)

"At times like this, I wish I was but a simple peasant." Inspector Jacques Clouseau

☆☆☆☆☆ Iconic 


The Pink Panther (1963) launched an iconic film character, actor and director.


Directed By Blake Edwards.


Starring Peter Sellers, David Niven, Robert Wagner, Claudia Cardinale and Capucine.

The ending of this film did not make sense to me, because David Niven drives off with Peter's wife and freedom while Seller's goes to jail. Then I read that Blake created the film and sequels as a vehicle for David Niven. During production and theatrical release everyone focused their attention on little known Peter. Blake wisely during filming let Seller's create his iconic character Inspector Clouseau. The incoherent French dialect that Inspector Clouseau uses came from Peter's run-in with a Hotel desk clerk whose English was unintelligible. Seller's asked Blake if he could use it in his first scene and the rest is history. It's not often an unknown character actor takes control of a film and series from an international movie icon and creates an equally iconic character.

In the scene below watch how Blake masterfully creates comedic mayhem by having three men in a hotel room with one women. It's the kind of screwball comedy that Frank Capra started with It Happened One Night (1934). Apparently the industrial grade soap used in the bath burned both Capucine and Robert Wagner, so badly that Robert was blind for several days and Capucine had to be hospitalized for burns all over her body.

Film Scene

Trivia - The film was intended to have David Niven's character Sir Charles Lytton as the main character. Peter Sellers portrayal changed the direction of the focus of the film and sequels.

Film Trailer

Film Photos - Posters

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Film Transcript

Once Upon A Time In The West

"You brought one horse too many." Harmonica

☆☆☆☆☆ Masterpiece

Once Upon A Time In The West (1968) re-imagined the western with stunning visuals, eerie sounds and characters who were morally and ethically gray.

 Directed by Sergio Leone.

Starring Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Jason Robards, Gabriele Ferzetti, Claudia Cardinale.

Including Ennio Morricone (Music), Toninio Delli Colli (Cinematography), Nino Baragli (Editor), Sound, Costume and Set Departments all contributed to making this the greatest western of all time.

I have never included non-actors in the starring of a movie until this film. The actors all magnificent, but without the brilliant characters that the eerie sounds, the music, the sets and the costumes create Once Upon would not be a masterpiece.

The scene below with the character actor Jack Elam and a fly illustrate the high caliber of acting throughout the film. A fly (like any animal or child) would normally steal a scene from an actor. Jack managed to play off the fly brilliantly.

The majestic visuals throughout the film and morally grey characters reminds me of Michelangelo Antonioni's L'Eclisse. Pay particular attention to the sounds, music, sets and costumes in this film, because each one is its own character that propels and deepens the story for the audience. One of my favorite character traits is the use of specific music for each cast member. I also enjoyed the eerie sounds from the set pieces and the costumes that define each character.

Film Scene

Trivia - To get the fly to come on Jack Elam's face they lightly coated his face with jam. They had a jar full of flies and let one out close to Jacks face. They shot close-up's of Jacks' reactions to the fly on his face.

Film Trailer

Rocco E I Suoi Fratelli - Rocco And His Brothers

"There is no hope now." Rocco

☆☆☆☆☆ Classic

Rocco E I Suoi Fratelli - Rocco And His Brothers (1960) is an epic family drama.

Directed by Luchino Visconti.

Starring Alain Delon, Renato Salvatore, Annie Girardot, Claudia Cardinale among others.

An epic Italian family opera mixed with a heavy dose of melodrama that works, because of the astounding performances of its actors and masterful directing. This movie influenced Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese among many others.Visconti's Italian family dynamics can be seen in Francis Ford Coppola's, The Godfather (1972) and in John Badham's, Saturday Night Fever (1977).

Visconti's true genius in this film lies in the subtle homoerotic undertones throughout the film and combining of neo realism with melodrama. The film was heavily censored in Italy for its realistic portrail of the plight of southern Italians migrating north to find work. Luchino's directing captures the drama of a real family Italian family's struggle to survive in a new city.

Alain Delon is starting his magnificient acting career in this film. Alain is always great to watch, because he is always thinking in every moment of every scene. Delon's acting work is effortless and subtle throughout the film.

The scene below is the most powerful acting in the movie. Annie Girardot is simply breathtaking in every scene she is in. No matter how melodramatic or operatic it is. Turn off the sound and watch Annie's characterization in the scene below. In the scene below I can see that Girardot has no love for any of the men in the room. Annie portrays her character as a selfish, proud, aloof, and very materialistic, worldly woman. Brilliant work as an actress. Annie elevates every scene she is in.

Film Scene

Trivia - Luchino Visconti was forced to cut 45 minutes from the film in order to appease the Italian censors. In the US theatrical release they cut 13 stabbings into 3. 

Film Trailer