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 Show 1971–1972 season. Later seasons swapped "The Ant and the Aardvark" with theatrical series' "Roland and Rattfink", "Hoot Kloot" or "The Blue Racer", as well as reruns of "The Inspector". 8 "Pink Panther" cartoons were aired for their first time during this three-year era (in Bold). "The Pink Panther and Friends" (1974–1976) followed the same format as "The New Pink Panther Show". The first Pink Panther entry was a new episode, while the second was a repeat of an old entry. Bumpers featuring "The Inspector" and "The Ant and the Aardvark" connected the three entries. New series "The Dogfather" (originally produced