In 1963, Blake Edwards directed The Pink Panther , a comedy caper starring Peter Sellers as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau. For the opening credits, Edwards hired the DePatie-Freleng Enterprises animation studio. David H. DePatie and Friz Freleng, who had recently left Warner Bros., created a sleek, silent panther to interact with the credits while Henry Mancini’s now-iconic jazz theme played.
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.
For decades, fans of the suave feline have had to contend with grainy television broadcasts, cropped VHS tapes, and DVD releases that failed to capture the vibrant artistry of the original theatrical prints. That changed with the release of . This set is not just a product; it is a restoration project, a historical document, and a love letter to one of the most distinctive eras in animation history.
It is easy to forget that the Pink Panther was originally just a title sequence gag. When United Artists needed an animated opener for the 1963 film The Pink Panther , producer David DePatie and animator Friz Freleng (of Looney Tunes fame) drew a suave, panther-shaped hole in a diamond.
In an era of rapid-fire dialogue and pop-culture references (looking at you, modern Family Guy ), is a masterclass in visual storytelling. The Panther never speaks. He doesn't need to.
The Panther almost never speaks. He communicates through body language, a raised eyebrow, a confident strut, or a casual lean against a wall. This was a deliberate choice by Friz Freleng. Having spent decades crafting dialogue-heavy comedy with Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Freleng moved toward a more pantomimic style with the Panther.
: Every episode is driven by the legendary jazzy theme music composed by Henry Mancini The Pink Panther Wiki Included Shorts The 20 cartoons in the Kino Lorber Blu-ray Internet Archive The Pink Phink (A battle of blue vs. pink paint) Pink Pajamas (The Panther searches for a place to sleep) (A hunter builds an ark to trap animals) Pinkfinger (A parody of secret agent films) (The Panther protects a diamond mine) Pink Pistons (The Panther buys a "magical" pink car) Pink, Plunk, Plink (The Panther crashes a symphony performance) Key Features & Editions KL Studio Classics Blu-ray MGM "Pranks in the Pink" DVD Number of Shorts 20 (Chronological) Video Quality 1080p HD (Mastered from original negatives) Standard Definition Original Theatrical (No laugh tracks) Bonus Materials
Released by MGM Home Entertainment, this collection is not merely a DVD or digital download; it is a time capsule. It represents the golden era of theatrical shorts, when animation was bold, minimalist, and brilliantly clever. This article takes an exhaustive look at Volume 1, exploring its history, its iconic episodes, its technical merits, and why it remains an essential purchase for collectors and new fans alike.
The is a definitive release for animation fans, capturing the initial 20 theatrical shorts from 1964 to 1966. Released by Kino Lorber Studio Classics in early 2018, this collection marks the high-definition debut of the titular character's early antics. Origin and Historical Context
In the pantheon of animation history, few characters have achieved the rarefied status of the Pink Panther. He is not merely a cartoon character; he is an icon of mid-century cool, a silent protagonist who speaks volumes through swagger, and a symbol of a unique collaboration between the legendary director Friz Freleng and the design genius of Hawley Pratt.
: The physical packaging includes reversible artwork for the Blu-ray case. The Pink Panther Cartoon Collection: Volume 1: 1964-1966