A Shot in the Dark

Blake Edwards, UK/USA, 1964, 103 minutes

A Shot in the Dark has Peter Sellers return once again for another appearance as Inspector Clouseau, France's greatest detective. As usual the plot is inconsequential, the only reason for watching this film is to watch Sellers make a complete idiot of himself as he bungles and goofs his way through Paris. It features a memorable scene in a nudist colony, with the super-sleuth having to strip off to pursue a certain naturist. Despite all evidence to the contrary Clouseau is convinced that a widow is innocent of her hushand's murder; he is convinced immediately after she seduces him. He tries to clear her, and his efforts drive his boss to a nervous breakdown. Herbert Lom plays Clouseau's superior, in his first role in the series (which also includes The Pink Panther and Revenge of the Pink Panther), and gives one of the best, funniest performances of the picture as he tries vainly to kill Clouseau.

The memorable sequences in this film include the 'blind' beggar, in reality a lookout for a heist gang who hold up the bank while Clouseau stands obliviously next to it. ("Do you have a license for this Minkey?"). As always there are great comic fight scenes between Clouseau and his Japanese hired help, Kato (hiding in the fridge, attacking him in the fountains etc).

Review by Martin Hunt
Taken from EUFS Programme 1992-93