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 (1963 film) Follow the Boys (1963 film) Follow the Boys (1963) is a comedy film starring Connie Francis, Paula Prentiss, and Janis Paige, and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Directed by Richard Thorpe and shot on location on the French and Italian Riviera, "Follow the Boys" was MGM's second film vehicle for top recording artist Francis following "Where the Boys Are" (1960). While Francis' role in the earlier film had been somewhat secondary, she had a distinctly central role in "Follow the Boys" playing Bonnie Pulaski, a newlywed traveling the Riviera. Bonnie visits various ports-of-call in hopes of a rendezvous with her sailor husband