Character of the Week: The Pink Panther

The Pink Panther

Remember the catchy tune that ran in the Pink Panther cartoons? It is a song that will always bring to mind the clever and funny Pink Panther cartoon character.

Although he had his own series of animated TV shows and short films, the Pink Panther first arrived on film in 1963 in the Blake Edwards movie, “The Pink Panther,” starring Peter Sellers as the clumsy French detective Inspector Clouseau. In the film, the “Pink Panther” referred to a large diamond with a flaw at its center resembling a pink pouncing panther. This was the inspiration for the character, the Pink Panther. He starred in the animated opening and closing for the movie, and was set against jazzy music by Henry Mancini. The Pink Panther is almost completely silent in the movie, preferring to rely on slinky pantomime-like moves. Audiences liked the Pink Panther so much that his animators, DePatie-Freleng, were asked to create a series of animated short films starring the character.

Amazingly, the first animated film, “The Pink Phink,” won the Academy Award for Animated Short Film in 1964! More than 100 Pink Panther animated shorts were created, entertaining moviegoers until 1981.

Besides these theatrical shorts, the Pink Panther still made appearances in all of the “Pink Panther” movies featuring the French detective Inspector Clouseau. These films are still being made today, with a 2009 release date set for “The Pink Panther 2,” starring Steve Martin.

In 1969 the Pink Panther made his first appearance on television in “The Pink Panther.” Two animated short films made up each episode, which were thirty minutes long and shown on Saturday mornings until the show went off the air in 1979. In 1980, United Artists Television put together a new half-hour show using the theatrical shorts and new cartoons and syndicated it to TV stations.

Not only was the Pink Panther in movies and on television, he had his own comic book called “Pink Panther.” Published by Gold Key Comics, the series was first released in April of 1971, and 87 issues were released until the series ended in 1984.

The Pink Panther is one of those unforgettable characters that have been able to stay in the public eye for many years. What is amazing is the amount of merchandise featuring the Pink Panther, and the advertising history of the clever character.

The first product the Pink Panther advertised was a Post breakfast cereal named “Pink Panther Flakes” In 1973. Since 1980, Owens Corning has used the Pink Panther to sell fiberglass insulation, and now he is the mascot for their “Basement Finishing System.” In 2001, the Pink Panther became the mascot for Sweet’N Low artificial sweetener. He now shares the advertising duties with Regis Philbin.

For 45 years the Pink Panther has entertained Americans and the international audience. He shows no signs of slowing down, and it looks like he will be around for many more years.

Check out our website for the Pink Panther Bendable Figure, and create your own Pink Panther stories!