The Pink Panther

[Lino]

From the Bits:

Universal has announced the DVD release of The Return of the Pink Panther (SRP $14.98) on 7/26. This is timed to coincide with MGM's Pink Panther promotion on 7/26, which will include the release of The Pink Panther, A Shot in the Dark, Revenge of the Pink Panther, Trail of the Pink Panther, Curse of the Pink Panther, Son of the Pink Panther, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, The Pink Panther: Classic Cartoon Collection - Volume 1, The Pink Panther: Classic Cartoon Collection - Volume 2, The Pink Panther: Classic Cartoon Collection - Volume 3 and The Pink Panther: Classic Cartoon Collection 5 pack.

Speaking of The Pink Panther: Classic Cartoon Collection (SRP $69.96), the 5-disc set will contain some 124 cartoons produced by Friz Freleng and David H. DePatie between 1964 and 1980, plus the Behind the Feline: The Cartoon Phenomenon documentary, the Pink Patter with Art Leonardi: The Story Behind the Animation, Remembering Friz: A Tribute to Friz Freleng, Think Pink: How to Draw the Pink Panther and Page to Screen: The Making of Two Cartoons featurettes, plus the animated main title sequences from five of the feature films.

So, it seems that Universal still hasn't lost its rights to that title thus making it impossible for MGM to make a clean sweep for all the Panther titles and franchising. A shame really as I was hoping to buy the rumoured boxset containing all the titles that was discussed in some forums last year.

On the other hand, great news for the cartoon series - that set looks really good!

Alan Arkin's take on the Peter Sellers character, [ur=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063135/l]Inspector Clouseau[/url] will be released in the UK on October, 17th. Still no news on a R1 release of this Pink Panther spin-off.

[Faux Hulot]

Alan Arkin's take on the Peter Sellers character, Inspector Clouseau will be released in the UK on October, 17th.

Is Arkin directing? If it's half as interesting as Little Murders (particularly his hysterical portrayal of Lt. Practice) it'll at least be worth a rental.

[Lino]

No, Bud Yorkin did the directing. Sorry for misleading you. I actually never saw this one, but I'm sure Arkin did a much better Clouseau impersonation than that Steve Martin twat ever did or ever will.

Cover for the upcoming The Return of the Pink Panther, the only title of the franchise that will not be distributed by MGM/Sony.



A shame as I was really hoping for a complete collection on DVD of all the titles. As a side note, I wonder if Inspector Clouseau will be released in R1 as well. Any news?

If you want to see what the new DVDs will look like, take a peek here

Pink Panther cartoon delays; feature moved to 2006

Animated News Forum member 'GeorgeC' points out that new MGM owners Sony have delayed the release of the Pink Panther Classic Cartoon Collection DVD boxed set, which was announced last week. It is not clear as to whether the new issues of the live-action feature films would also be held back. The move could well have a lot to do with the fact that Sony have just made it clear that the new theatrical Steve Martin remake, originally sheduled to open August 5, has been moved to a February 2006 date. Though they stress it is not because the film has been testing poorly, the new Pink Panther has not exactly been getting enthusiastic press.

Bummer!

[Lino]

The titles have been re-announced:

Just a quick update with some new DVD release news: Sony has just re-announced its Pink Panther Classic Cartoon Collection (5-disc set - SLP $69.96) for 1/31. Also coming on that day are three separately-available volumes from the collection (including Volume 1 - Pranks in the Pink, Volume 2 - Adventures in the Pink and Volume 3: Frolics in the Pink - SLP $14.94 each), along with the live action Inspector Closeau, Son of the Pink Panther and Curse of the Pink Panther. In addition, you'll get remastered editions of the original 1964 The Pink Panther, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, Revenge of the Pink Panther, Trail of the Pink Panther and A Shot in the Dark. The original The Pink Panther will also be released on UMD format.

[Lino]

Return of the Pink Panther review

The cartoon collection review

[dx23]

From thedigitalbits.com:

MGM has set a Pink Panther: Ultimate Collection box set for release on DVD on 11/25 as well (SRP $199.98). This 18-disc set contains a new The Pink Panther: Collector's Edition with over 60-minutes of all new special features (only available in this box set for the time being), along with 8 other feature films - A Shot in the Dark, Inspector Clouseau, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, Revenge of the Pink Panther, Trail of the Pink Panther, Curse of the Pink Panther, Son of the Pink Panther and The Pink Panther (2006) - as well as all 9 Pink Panther: Cartoon Collection volumes AND a new book (Pink Panther, The Ultimate Guide to the Coolest Cat in Town!) written by Jerry Beck. All of this is packaged in a furry pink collector's case.

[swo17]

So another seemingly comprehensive collection that excludes the non-MGM Return of the Pink Panther.

[dx23]

Tvshowsondvd.com has the MGM press releaseand images of the packaging.

[OliverB]

So another seemingly comprehensive collection that excludes the non-MGM Return of the Pink Panther.

at least this time MGM included an extra disc hub for The Return... after throwing that Steve Martin movie into the garbage.

[swo17]

So another seemingly comprehensive collection that excludes the non-MGM Return of the Pink Panther.

at least this time MGM included an extra disc hub for The Return... after throwing that Steve Martin movie into the garbage.

Ha! Looks like it's just a bunch of sleeves though. No need to throw it into the garbage. It's already packaged in it.