The Pink Panther Classic Cartoon Collection review - movie review of the Gerry Chiniquy film starring Dave Barry

The Pink Panther Classic Cartoon Collection review

The Pink Panther Classic Cartoon Collection
:. Director: Gerry Chiniquy
:. Starring: Dave Barry, Mel Blanc
:. Script: Arthur Davis
:. Running Time: 10h
:. Year: 2006
:. Country: USA

Sophisticated, elegant, and cool. This hardly describes cartoons in 2006, chock full of pop culture references rampant with vulgarity but lacking in artistry. As conservative soccer moms influence cartoon content with their consumer dollars, it's obvious that a promiscuous, fun-loving pink feline who smokes in the opening credit just wouldn't fly today. The Pink Panther is nothing if not a look at a make believe world adults may enjoy with Henry Mancini's music in the background instead of the awful Phil Collins/Elton John muzak used in Disney films.

Originally created in 1963 as an opening to The Pink Panther live-action film, the cartoon's success led United Artists to commission over 100 cartoon shorts that premiered at theaters before finally hitting the family TV set in 1969. Spoofing popular films, genres and songs of the time, from "Dial "P" For Pink", "Pinkfinger" and "Pink-A-Rella" to "Sherlock Pink" and "Pink is a Many Splintered Thing" the Pink Panther's visual jokes and gags broke barriers that made him popular worldwide. As he rarely speaks (except for "Pink Ice" and "Sink Pink"), the audience is totally taken in by his comedic timing, charm and simplicity. Somewhat lazy and with no real interest in being a hero, his pranks and mischief make him appealing and easily identifiable to both kids and adults.

The DVD collection includes over 120 cartoons from the 1964 Academy Award winning "The Pink Phink" on through to 1980's "Supermarket Pink". Extra features include a behind the scenes look at the Pink Panther's success in "Behind the Feline: The Cartoon Phenomenon" as well as a lesson on how to draw the pink panther.

Sometimes we just need to be "Tickled Pink" (bad pun intended), and this collection is just the thing.

Anji Milanovic