A Shot in the Dark (1964 film) because Sellers is a clever comedian and never that painful to take. But enough is enough already." Richard L. Coe of "The Washington Post" called it "a hardworking comedy," adding "While the lines are bright and sometimes blue, the real fun comes from sight gags, an old if neglected film ingredient." "The Monthly Film Bulletin" wrote, "Where "The Pink Panther" had style and a certain subtlety, its successor ... can substitute only slapstick of the crudest kind. As the bumbling inspector, Sellers is this time absolutely out of hand, his principal—and endlessly repeated—gag being to fall with a resounding splash
A Shot in the Dark (Homicide: Life on the Street) when the episode was shown on Lifetime Television in 1997. "A Shot in the Dark" includes consistency errors about the Frank Pembleton character. Framed photos on Pembleton's desk include photos of his wife and apparent children, and Felton makes an offhanded joke, "Frank almost bought a dog for his wife and kid." However, it is later revealed that Pembleton has no children until the , when his wife Mary becomes pregnant. A number of songs are featured throughout the episode, including "It's You" by Zell Sanders, "Elephant Walk" by "The Kings", "The Beat Goes On" by Sonny Bono and "Symphony