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
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