The Pink Panther The first film in the series had an animated opening sequence, created by DePatie–Freleng Enterprises, featuring The Pink Panther Theme by Mancini, as well as the Pink Panther character. This character, designed by Hawley Pratt and Friz Freleng, was subsequently the subject of his own series of animated cartoons which gained its highest profile when aired on Saturday mornings as "The Pink Panther Show." The character would be featured in the opening of every film in the movie series except "A Shot in the Dark" and "Inspector Clouseau". Although the original film was actually centred on the Phantom/Sir Charles Lytton,
The Pink Panther Animated Short Film. This was the first (and to date only) time a studio's first work won an Oscar. By the autumn of 1969, the shorts were being broadcast on NBC during Saturday mornings on "The Pink Panther Show;" after 1969, new shorts were produced for both television broadcast and theatrical release. A number of sister series also joined the Pink Panther character on movie screens and on the airwaves, including "The Inspector," featuring a comical French police officer based on the Jacques Clouseau character. Traditionally mute, the Pink Panther was given the voice of actor Matt Frewer for a