A Shot in the Dark (1964 film) as Burt Kwouk as his stalwart man servant Cato and André Maranne as François, all of whom would become series regulars. Elke Sommer portrays the murder suspect, Maria Gambrelli. The character of Gambrelli would return in "Son of the Pink Panther" (1993), this time played by Claudia Cardinale, who appeared as Princess Dala in "The Pink Panther" (1963). Graham Stark, who portrays police officer Hercule Lajoy, would reprise this role eighteen years later, in "Trail of the Pink Panther" (1982). The film was not originally written to include Clouseau, but was an adaptation of a stage play by Harry Kurnitz
Follow the Boys (song) the US typically peaking in the Top 20 with Top Ten status achieved in Dallas and Philadelphia along with some smaller markets. Nationally "Follow the Boys" peaked at No.17 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 in April 1963 where it would be Francis' final showing in the Top 20. The single was markedly more successful as ranked by "Cash Box" spending two weeks at No.11. The B-side of "Follow the Boys", "Waiting For Billy", written by Davis and Mencher with Dramato Palumbo was also from the "Follow the Boys" film, and refers to the Roger Perry character's name being Billy Pulaski.