The Pink Panther

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"If you've heard one Stradivarius, you've heard them all."
- Inspector Closeau

Concert Trailer

SCORE OVERVIEW

“Cool-cat, loungey, toe-tapping jazz” is the six-word phrase I use to describe Henry Mancini’s Academy Award-nominated score to The Pink Panther! The film opens with the unforgettable chromatic parallel fifths in the piano, followed by the iconic tenor saxophone melody which sets the sleuth-like mood for the whole score! Mancini’s jazzy score is a perfect fit for this old school slapstick comedy. The main theme starts softly and sneaks forward ready to pounce, but then retreats, to which the smooth big band sound adds a certain confidence and a classy strength. As Inspector Clouseau trips on this or that (always with a straight face), the soothing score evokes an atmosphere where nothing bad can actually happen. The film is a bit campy, but audiences understand and appreciate the humor as classic slapstick. What other film do you know which can successfully use the theme to Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet as a punchline! The ubiquitous accordion also forces the ear to think we’re in Europe, while a bit of “La Marseillaise” played by muted trumpet reminds us that Peter Sellers is French!

Fran Jeffries sings the sexy samba, “Meglio stasera,” which is original to the soundtrack. (It has gone on to be hugely popular with recordings by Monica Mancini (daughter of the composer), Sarah Vaughan, Lena Horne and Michael Bublé.) In live performances, the recording of Jeffries can be used, or a guest soloist can be featured.

What a unique opportunity for orchestras to present some of their finest local jazz musicians! The original soundtrack album received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 2001, on which some of the finest jazz musicians of the time performed including Plas Johnson on tenor sax, Phil Woods on alto sax, and Carl Sanders on trumpet. Now audiences can hear live jazz accompany this mischievous, madcap caper film! Equally fun for the musicians on stage and the audience.

From the opening mysterious tiptoeing tune characterizing a jewel thief, to the jazzy Latin rhythms of the big band, a performance of The Pink Panther will never disappoint! – Maestro Erik Ochsner, March 2022

THE FILM

A co-production of Schirmer Theatrical and the Mancini Family Trust, experience Blake Edwards’ 1964 film The Pink Panther. Featuring David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner, Capucine, and Claudia Cardinale, follow the travails of Inspector Clouseau as he travels from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Rome in an attempt to apprehend “The Phantom,” the notorious jewel thief believed to be after a rare treasure: the Pink Panther diamond belonging to Princess Dala.

The film was first released in Italy on December 18, 1963, making its US debut on April 23rd of the following year. The Pink Panther was nominated for an Oscar® for Best Music, a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical, and a Grammy for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Show. The film won an ASCAP Award in 1988, when Mancini’s theme was chosen as the Most Performed Feature Film Standard.

The fully reconstructed score and parts are available with Mancini’s original orchestration. The Pink Panther in Concert comes with the film, complete score and parts, a click track, and a preview film programmed with punches and streamers for the conductor and soloist to view on monitors. Conductor and solo vocal soloist to be engaged separately. The production can also be performed using a recording of Fran Jeffries singing “Meglio Stasera,” in lieu of a live soloist.

The film is under exclusive worldwide license from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. The music for this production is under exclusive license to G. Schirmer, Inc. from EMI U Catalog Inc and Spirit Music. Music extraction provided by Post Haste Digital, utilizing Music Slayer.

THE MUSIC

Immerse yourself in Mancini’s score before you hear it played live during The Pink Panther in Concert! Originally released in 1963, the soundtrack was conducted by Mancini himself and features select musical cues from the film, including two versions of “Meglio Stasera” (It Had Better Be Tonight), the suave jazz that characterize Sir Charles Litton, the lush melodies that accompany Princess Dala, and the iconic tenor sax motif that will forever accompany Inspector Jacques Clouseau’s pursuit of murderers and jewel thieves.

THE PINK PANTHER (1964)
FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

MUSIC BY HENRY MANCINI
A SCHIRMER THEATRICAL / THE MANCINI FAMILY TRUST CO-PRODUCTION
PRODUCED BY GREGG FIELD, CHARLES LETOURNEAU & ROBERT THOMPSON
MUSIC UNDER LICENSE FROM G. SCHIRMER, INC.
ON BEHALF OF SONY/EMI AND SPIRIT MUSIC

THE MIRISCH COMPANY Presents
A BLAKE EDWARDS Production
DAVID NIVEN – PETER SELLERS
ROBERT WAGNER – CAPUCINE
In
“THE PINK PANTHER”
With BRENDA DE BANZIE – COLIN GORDON – and Introducing FRAN JEFFRIES
and with CLAUDIA CARDINALE as The Princess
Directed by BLAKE EDWARDS
Written by MAURICE RICHLIN and BLAKE EDWARDS
Produced by MARTIN JUROW
Music by HENRY MANCINI
TECHNICOLOR®
TECHNIRAMA®
A MIRISCH-G-E Production