I have a close friend who was one of the writers brought in to help with the most recent Pink Panther movie.

 

I read the script prior to production - and it was incredibly funny... very reminscent of PINK PANTHER STRIKES again.  In fact, it was so good, I stopped reading it because I wanted to be surprised by all the comedy in the theater.

Further, I know for a fact that Steve Martin dearly loved Peter Sellers' work... he even mentions the words of encouragement Sellers passed along during the infamous 1978 REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER junket.  Martin was one of the celebrity guests for the show... and is interviewed (comically) early in the program.  But during the end, Sellers and Martin can be seen talking intimately... Peter is wearing a rare smile.  In Martin's autoiography he notes that Sellers pulled him aside and said "I get what you're doing... keep it up..." and other words of encourgement, which gives the lie to the old notion that Pete wasn't generous when it came to other comedians.

 

As for PINK PANTHER 2... the rumors in town suggest gags were slashed and altered right and left and the entire film re-skewed toward children, which ruined it.

I have not seen the new film.


-----Original Message-----
From: Carol Levins <imeminexx@...>
To: petersellersappreciationsociety@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:18 am
Subject: [PeterSellersAppreciationSociety] Pink Panther 2 ????

I've never seen the Steve Martin/Pink Panther and never will. I was very happy it was poorly received. So it came as a big surprise to me that there is a Steve Martin/Pink Panther 2. Haven't "they" learned that only Peter Sellers can BE Clouseau ? Well maybe this time they'll get that point. My local " What's Happening" newspaper has a film review of this one. I quote :   There are too many problems with this movie to name. The script could have been written by an 8 year old. It tries desperately,horribly,achingly hard to be funny and only succeeds on the most mundane,idiotic level. It's bland,unoriginal,average,and surprise-less, and the star studded cast seems to be unaware that they are in a grand scheme of humorless-ness. It's sad to see what's become of the once brilliant Steve Martin. This re-trashing of the Blake Edwards Pink Panther series and his ignorance of the brilliant Peter Sellers make this film sadly ending Martin's career playing to the lowest common denominator. (Josh Swedlow)   That says it for me. NOW will it be known there can be no Clouseau or brilliance in comedy without Peter Sellers ? Actually I've known that all along but it's great to see I'm affirmed in print.And Peter Sellers is very much missed.