It is also remarkably sophisticated. There is no violence for violence's sake. The Panther isn't malicious; he is merely opportunistic. If your ladder collapses or your floor tilts, it is because you were trying to trap him first. He is the coolest cat in the room, walking away unscathed as the chaos unfolds behind him. The Pink Panther Cartoon Collection – Volume 1 is a perfect "rainy day" purchase. It is safe for kids (the slapstick is classic and bloodless), but the jazz score and minimalist animation will appeal more to adults who appreciate art history.
Audiences loved him more than the movie. By 1964, the silent feline had his own theatrical short, The Pink Phink , which promptly won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
There are certain sounds that are immediately recognizable regardless of your age or where you grew up. The drip of a faucet. The ring of a telephone. And, of course, the sultry, staccato saxophone notes of Henry Mancini’s The Pink Panther Theme .
For millions of us, that sound doesn't just conjure images of Peter Sellers’ bumbling Inspector Clouseau. It brings to mind a long, lean, mischievous pink cat who never said a word but made us laugh until our sides hurt.
Have you picked up Volume 1? Which classic Pink Panther short is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
It is a time capsule of 1960s cool. Whether you are a collector completing your library or a parent trying to introduce your children to the "good stuff," this volume delivers.
★★★★½ (Deducted half a point because 18 shorts fly by way too fast)