In 1964, cinema was still striving to evolve, while there were some films that had already taken a long jump and managed to be ahead of their times. A Shot in the Dark was one such British-American DeLuxe Color comedy film. The film was made as a second installment in The Pink Panther film series. The movie managed to expand its audience base across the globe and its fans are eagerly waiting for the release of its second season. Will there be a second season? What shall the second season of the movie be about? Let’s find out.
The show revolves around the mysterious murder of chauffeur, Miguel Ostos. Miguel Ostos had an affair with one of the maids, Maria Gambrelli. He was shot dead in her bedroom. The French police are asked to investigate the murder and solve the puzzle.
Show Details:
| TV Series: | A Shot in the Dark |
| Genre: | Thriller
Murder mystery Thriller drama Comedy |
| Written by: | Based on the 1960 play L’Idiote
by Marcel Achard 1961 play A Shot in the Dark by Harry Kurnitz |
| Starring: | Peter Sellers
Elke Sommer George Sanders Herbert Lom |
| Release date: | June 23, 1964 |
| Producers | Blake Edwards
The Mirisch Corporation Mirisch Films |
| Directed by: | Blake Edwards |
| Original language: | English |
More about the show:
A Shot in the Dark is a British-American DeLuxe Color comedy film that belongs to the genre of thriller, murder mystery, and thriller drama. The film was directed by Blake Edwards and its screenplay was written by Blake Edwards and William Peter Blatty.
The show is based on the 1960 play L’Idiote by Marcel Achard and the 1961 play A Shot in the Dark which was written by Harry Kurnitz. The film was produced by Blake Edwards and it starred Peter Sellers, Elke Sommer, George Sanders, and Herbert Lom in important roles.
The cinematography for the movie was accomplished by Christopher Challis and it was edited by Bert Bates and Ralph E. Winters. The music for the movie was given by Henry Mancini. The production companies involved in the making of the movie were The Mirisch Corporation and Mirisch Films.
Its official distributor was United Artists. The movie premiered on June 23, 1964. It was approximately 102 minutes long. It was shot across the locations of the United Kingdom and the United States. The movie earned $12,368,234 at the box office, breaking several records.
Plot:
The story revolves around the mysterious murder of a chauffeur named Miguel Ostos. He worked in the country home of Benjamin Ballon who is a millionaire and Inspector Clouseau. The French police are called to investigate and solve the murder mystery. Miguel Ostos had a romantic affair with Maria Gambrelli who is a maid and works in the same house.
After a heated argument that leads to the breakup of Miguel Ostos and Maria Gambrelli, Miguel is shot dead in her room. The gun is found in the hands of Maria, at the crime scene. On being interrogated, Maria maintains her statement that she was knocked unconscious when Miguel was shot and that she is not the one who murdered him. As the story unfolds, one of the policemen is attracted to Maria and believes her innocence.
A Shot in the Dark is a comedy movie that is based on how a twisted murder mystery is solved and the situational comedy that makes the audience roll on the floor with laughter.
Characters:
- Peter Sellers featured in the role of Jacques Clouseau.
- Elke Sommer was featured in the role of Maria Gambrelli.
- George Sanders was featured in the role of Benjamin Ballon.
- Herbert Lom was featured in the role of Charles Dreyfus.
- Tracy Reed was featured in the role of Dominique Ballon.
- Graham Stark featured in the role of Hercule Lajoy.
- Moira Redmond featured in the role of Simone.
- Vanda Godsell featured in the role of Madame LaFarge.
- Maurice Kaufmann featured in the role of Pierre.
- Ann Lynn featured in the role of Dudu.
- David Lodge featured in the role of Georges.
- André Maranne featured in the role of François.
- Martin Benson featured in the role of Maurice.
- Burt Kwouk featured in the role of Cato.
- Reginald Beckwith featured in the role of Receptionist.
- Douglas Wilmer featured in the role of Henri LaFarge.
- Bryan Forbes featured in the role of Camp Attendant.
- André Charrise featured in the role of Game Warden.
- Howard Greene featured in the role of Gendarme.
- John Herrington featured in the role of The Doctor.
- Jack Melford featured in the role of The Psycho-Analyst.
- Victor Baring featured in the role of Taxi Driver.
- Victor Beaumont featured in the role of Gendarme.
- Tutte Lemkow was featured in the role of Cossack Dancer.
- Hurtado De Cordoba Ballet featured in the role of Flamenco Dancers & Guitarist.
- Fred Hugh featured in the role of Balding Customer.
- Rose Hill featured in the role of Soprano.
- Tahitian Dance Group featured in the role of Tahitian Dance Group.
Reviews:
On its release, the movie was received very warmly by its audience. IMDb has given it a rating of 7.5/10. Rotten tomatoes gave it a firm 94% and Radio times gave it 4.5/5.
Fans of the movie have called it a cult classic that not only tickles people to laughter but also satisfies the need for suspense and thrill in the movie. Peter Sellers had been appreciated highly for his portrayal of detective Clouseau. Elke Sommer’s portrayal of Maria Gambrelli also won several hearts. The chemistry between the two actors was commendable and has helped the movie for good.
Will there be a season 2?
The movie shot in the dark has been a popular American-British classic that was made as to the second installment of The Pink Panther film series. It has been listed as one of the most successful movies of the franchise. Talking about its next installment, the makers of the movie haven’t made any official announcement regarding the same. However, looking at the box office collection of the movie, one must not lose hope and we believe, the sequel could be dropped in the coming years.