"The Return of the Pink Panther" is the fourth movie in the "Pink Panther" franchise, marking Peter Sellers' return to what must be his signature role, Inspector Jacques Clouseau. Previously, Alan Arkin had stepped into his shoes for one movie, apparently with bad results. In "Return," the fabled Pink Panther diamond is again stolen, with the Phantom's calling card monogrammed glove left as a clue. Clouseau goes back on the case, as does Sir Charles Lytton (Christopher Plummer, taking over for David Niven), the former Phantom himself. Anyway, this movie shows the progress of the "Panther" franchise, when the crazy characters and Clouseau's wacky mannerisms start to really show. Sellers brings slapstick to a fever pitch, making a shambles of everything in his path, not to mention the sanity of his superior, Chief Inspector Dreyfus, played by Herbert Lom. There are lots of funny scenes, including the one in which Clouseau is distracted from a bank robbery by a "blind" accordionist and his chimpanzee "minkey." It's definitely one of the better chapters in the "Pink Panther" saga.

The Pink Panther has been stolen from a museum in Lugash despite the impenetrable security. In France, Chief Insp. Charles Dreyfus (Herbert Lom) suspends bumbling policeman Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) for six months. The commissioner orders Dreyfus to reinstate Clouseau to be sent to Lugash to investigate the theft. Lady Claudine Litton claims that the Phantom is the only one capable of the crime but her husband Sir Charles Litton (Christopher Plummer) maintains his innocence. He decides to catch the thief to clear his name.

Dreyfus and Clouseau remain one of the great comedic pairing. Their early back and forth is absolutely hilarious. Dreyfus is missed as Clouseau sets off alone. They are better together. It takes too long for both Dreyfus and Cato to reunite with Clouseau. Those two have the potential to pump up the slapstick comedy. I love the smaller bits of sly humor like the local who knows the location of the hotel and simply continues to walk away. It is gloriously dead-pan. There is the iconic Clouseau falling backwards into the pool following the bikini girl. This movie is full of great physical humor. I doubt the plot actually matters.