June 27, 2006
My husband giggles like a girl when he watches the original Pink Panther movies, and he’s got my kids hooked on them too. They walk around the house pretending to be Inspector Clouseau, speaking in an exaggerated French accent with their lips taut and barely moving. Cracks me up.
One of their favorite exchanges is from The Pink Panther Strikes Again when Clouseau (played, of course, by Peter Sellers) is checking into a hotel. There is a dog there, making threatening noises, and the exchange goes:
Clouseau: Does your dog bite?
Innkeeper: No.
Clouseau: (bending down to pet dog) Nice doggie!
(Dog attacks Clouseau.)
Clouseau: (holding leg in pain) I thought you said your dog doesn’t bite!
Innkeeper: That’s not my dog.
(This exchange sends my kids into howls of laughter, and even for me, who really hasn’t seen the humor in the Pink Panther movies and who doesn’t giggle when I watch them–like a girl or otherwise–I can’t help but join them.)
However, we saw the new Pink Panther movie with Steve Martin and Kevin Kline (whom I’ve adored ever since A Fish Called Wanda), and I absolutely loved it. It was ridiculous and silly, but I loved it enough to see it twice–which is saying a lot for me.
(Now my kids and I repeat the scene over and over where Steve Martin is trying to learn how to say, “I would like to buy a hamburger” until my oldest daughter yells at us to shut up!)
S
o when we were in Paris, it was natural for us to be looking for Clouseau and his ilk. And wonder of wonders, we actually found the Prefecteur where we are certain Clouseau worked…and even got a pic with one of his colleagues. The kids, as you can imagine, were thrilled.
(That’s my Music Man, standing next to the lamp at the Prefecteur.)
June 27th, 2006 at 9:40 am
I LOVE the origional movies. We used to watch them a couple times a year for Sunday afternoon movies but I haven’t seen any in ions. I’ll have to see the new one…I like Steve Martin.
June 27th, 2006 at 10:32 am
Well, between Steve Martin and Kevin Kline, and a very straight-faced Jean Reno, I thought the movie was great. My dh didn’t like it as well as the originals (but he did giggle through it).
Definitely go rent it–it’s on DVD now. Just don’t expect Peter Sellers, and you won’t be disappointed.
June 27th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Would you believe I’ve never watched any of them. Cute pictures of you two in Paris though.
June 27th, 2006 at 10:38 pm
OMG! I adore the Pink Panther movies! My daughter bought me one for Mother’s Day. I have a tendency to quote Pink Panther - and Airplane and Monty Python. But then, I’m also a huge fan of Larry, Moe and Curly.
*nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!*
Favorite Pink Panther line:
Clouseau: “Tell me, how long have you been a bellboy?”
Bellboy: “Quite a while, monsieur.”
Clouseau: “Well, keep up the good work and I’ll see they make you a bellMAN.”
Also classic when a man comes up to him in a hotel lobby and offers to take his coat and hat, which he hands over, thinking he’s the doorman. And the guy walks out the revolving doors and takes off.
I’ve got to see the Steve Martin version - but I’ll remember not to expect Peter Sellers.
Le sigh….he was one funny dude!
June 28th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
I like Monty Python too! Nothing better than sitting around with a group of people who “get” it, some good snacks, and watching The Holy Grail and shouting, “The Knights of Neee!”
June 29th, 2006 at 1:15 am
I never watched the movies, but I rented the new one (you dind’t SAY Clive Owen was in it for a minute). There were a couple of giggles. I liked Failure to Launch, which I also watched tonight, much better.