The Pink Panther Theme The Pink Panther Theme "The Pink Panther Theme" is an instrumental composition by Henry Mancini written as the theme for the 1963 film "The Pink Panther" and subsequently nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Score at the 37th Academy Awards but lost to the Sherman Brothers for "Mary Poppins". The eponymous cartoon character created for the film's opening credits by David DePatie and Friz Freleng was animated in time to the tune. The tenor saxophone solo was played by Plas Johnson. The song was included on the film's soundtrack album and issued as a single (in the United
Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance with Vocal Coloring for Pictures at an Exhibition, Quincy Jones for "Money Runner", Henry Mancini & Doc Severinsen for "Brass on Ivory", and Santana for Caravanserai. Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance with Vocal Coloring The Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance with Vocal Coloring was awarded at the Grammy Awards of 1973 for music released in the previous year. 1973 was the only year in which the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance was split into Best Pop Instrumental Performance with Vocal Coloring and Best Pop Instrumental Performance - Instrumental Performer. The award was won by Isaac Hayes for