by Jeremy Quinton
Home >> The Pink Panther
What makes you laugh might not be the same as what makes your friends or family laugh, right? A sense of humour is something as personal as your taste in food, films or football. But how many times have you found, in your language studies, that you “understand the words, but not the humour?!” It seems that different cultures have different senses of humour…although some things successfully manage to get the whole world laughing at the same time.
The Pink Panther cartoon character originally appeared in the opening and closing sequences of the 1963 film of the same name, which was directed by Friz Freleng from Kansas City. The popularity of the character was such that a series of short animated films was then created. No less than 124 Pink Panther cartoons were produced.
With cartoon titles ranging from The Pink Phink, to Pinkfinger and the London-based Pinkadilly Circus, all puns which are typical of the sense of humour shared by many parts of the world where English is spoken, the Pink Panther grew to be adored by millions, the world over.
But in nearly all his cartoons, the Pink Panther never said a word! He remained silent, speaking only in two theatrical shorts, Sink Pink and Pink Ice. By the late-1960s, the Pink Panther cartoons were being shown on Saturday mornings on NBC in the USA.
Later there were also a series of animated shorts called The Inspector, with the bumbling Clouseau-inspired Inspector and his Spanish-speaking assistant Sgt. Deux-Deux, whom the Inspector is forever correcting. In February 2006, all of the Pink Panther cartoons were released on DVD by Sony Pictures.
Industry critics say that The Pink Panther made creative use of absurd and surrealistic themes and visual puns, a type of silent pantomime style which allowed it to cross continents and oceans and, as a result, to enjoy success not shared by contemporaries such as Yogi Bear or The Flintstones. Freleng’s colleagues credit his sense of creative timing as a key element to the cartoon’s artistic success.
The Pink Panther first came into my life back in England when I was 6 or 7 …sitting mesmerised by what I saw on screen, with my sister too. If you’ve got similar childhood memories and haven’t heard the accompanying music for a long time, I wonder what the first few notes on the saxophone bring back to you!
I met up with my idol last year…in Bolivia. I’d entered a local bar in the morning to get a coffee. As they heated some milk, the Pink Panther appeared on the small TV in the corner. We were all watching. Everyone. Mesmerised. And we all laughed at the same moments. Incredible.
“Humour is just another defense against the universe.� Mel Brooks
Learning a language isn’t only a question of internalising lists of words and phrases, grammar and (!) pinktuation. It’s more human, fluid, interactive than that. (Don’t forget that sometime you can communicate without words. The Pink Panther could, anyway!)
Learning a bit about the cultures where the language is spoken will be of great use to you in two ways. Not only in understanding the context in which things are being said, but also in knowing what to say, and, as Friz Freleng understood so well, when to say what you want to communicate, whether you’d like to make people laugh or not!
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Posted on http://www.weeklyletter.com at 2006-09-14 10:00:00 +0200
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Hello Jez!
Great article Jez. I love the Pink Panther!
In this day and age of Pokemon and all these violent cartoons.It’s really refreshing to see an old classic like the Pink Panther.
Fairly recently, they showed the Pink Panther on channel 7 and I recorded it for my little girl who is 6 years old, because she was at school and when we watched it, I was laughing more than her!
I think she was laughing more at me laughing than the actual show.
No,seriously,she loves the Pink Panther,but she does ask a lot of questions ,(Which spoils my entertainment !)” Why’s the Pink Panther drilling a hole in the other man’s bucket” she says. “To get the other man’s paint ” I say and ad infinitum!
The Pink Panther is (cool) with a capital C !
May the Pink Panther live forever and continue to create laughter all around the globe.
Me and my daughter will always be devoted fans !
Hello,
I’m happy to read that in Bolivia (a country so far and with a different culture) all people laughed in the same moment that English’s people (with their own sense of humor).
I think that the Pink Panters Cartoon has a very universal humor. I’d like it. I also like the ‘Correcaminos’, it’s too an universal humor.
Congratulations for the article, Jeremy.
Best regards
Gloria López
I don’t see the pun in “The Pink Phink”. Can someone explain it to me?
Anyway, I think you are absolutely right, Jeremy, about the Pink Panther. I watched a lot of Pink Panther cartoons when I lived in Toronto. I love their limited range of colours, the psychodelic explosions of several episodes and, above all, the original theme music, composed by the great Henry Mancini.
Thanks Jeremy, your article is wonderful, and I’ve been with a big smile in my face while I’ve been reading it.
I really love pink panther too. I remember when I was very, very young (six or seven years old), I was with my father and my uncle, and I remember the laugh of my uncle when we were watching the pink panther histories on the TV. He burst out of laughing and I saw him astonished with the noise of his strong laugh.
I agree with Paul since isn’t comparable the cartoons of now, with the cartoons from 25 years ago. I was fan of the Pitufos [The Smurfs], of the Yogi Bear and of the Flintstones. But my favourite cartoons is “Chicho terremoto adventures�.
Have a nice weekend!!!
Good article, congratulations!
Completely agree with Mel Brooks’s statement. A lot of problem will be solved in the life with a bit of humour and less anger. I like the person who starts the day with energy and humour, they transmit good atmosphere and all is easy. I don’t like the grey person that appears in Momo (the book), they steal my energy.
The Pink Panther was very funny and the music was excellent.
In my opinion, the present cartoons are worst. My favourites were Marco, La Abeja Maya, … and I remember all the Saturdays and Sundays from 15.30 to 16.00 (after the News) with cartoons in TVE1. At the present if you like, you need Digital + or buy the collection in DVD.
Hello there Mariano,
A lot of these cartoon characters seem to have had their names changed somewhere in the translation process…
so maybe I have seen Momo at some time. But is this character from Spain? What is he or she famous for?!
...Mark Twain apparently said something similar to you….
“Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place. ”
(...er…I never knew that until Monday when I looked for some quotes on the internet!).
Thanks for your “upbeat” comments!
Jeremy
P.S. Hope you’re not “overwatering yourself” at the moment, nor are being overwatered by D!!
Mr B…
I agree!
The Pink Panther is the epitome of cool…but what is it exactly?
We know he doesn’t speak…but does he ever smile??
Mariano (in a separate comment) has mentioned buying cartoon collections on DVD… something I understand you’re an expert in.
Where can you get good cartoons or comedy at a good price, at present?
(I think I’m asking too many questions, so I’m going to leave now…with my tail between my legs, ha ha !!!)
Gloria!
Mee meep!!
(this is Roadrunner talking…not me)
How are you this afternoon? (don’t answer that!!!)
...What I didn’t mention in the article was the fact that at times in Bolivia I was very aware of “being European”. Entering that particular bar was a moment of being extremely aware of that…a bit uncomfortable in fact…but being able to laugh at the Pink Panther together “brought me back to earth”!
So you like Roadrunner, do you? Another classic cartoon figure.
I wonder what he’d think about the latest crackdown on speeding on Spanish roads!...
Bye for now…meep meep!
Ignacio Sanchez…buenas tardez….
All those characters you mention are brilliant – always were, always will be!
But (he says, confessing “lagunas” in his knowledge of Spanish culture!)...who or what is or are ““Chicho terremoto adventuresâ€?? I’ve resisted the temptation “to google”, hoping that you might introduce me!
Is it my imagination, or have most of these world class cartoons come from the USA?
What has come out of Spain?
If you fancy seeing a classic “modern” British creation, check out Wallace & Gromit. It’s a lovely story about the adventures of an inventor and his dog, based in the northern English town of Wigan…
Wonderful!
Wallace and Gromit
Hi Paola!
V Gates is dear!?
You mention Toronto and I immediately think of “The Kids of Degrassi Street”...even though that’s leaving behind the world of cartoons.
I used to get jealous because we never had snow like that in England!!
The K.O.D.S (thought I’d save time, only to find it looks stupid written like that!) then makes me phink of other childhood cartoons, memories, books, and so on…
Henry Mancini eh…
(You’re right – I don’t really get the “Pink Phink” title either. Maybe it’s “thing” or even “think”. In the Cockney and even Estuary English that Professor Batkins has talked about in other weekly articles, the “th” sound (found in “the”, “thought”, “thanks darlin’ ” etc etc) is normally pronounced like the “f” in “fat” or “friend”.)
Fanks for writing :o)
V gates is dear!
“Momo” is a novel by the German writer Michael Ende, the one who wrote “The Neverending Story”.
(Is the movie version of Patrick Sueskind’s “The Perfume” the talk of the town in Spain? It sure is here in Germany!)
Great idea to recommend “Wallace and Gromit”. They are one of the best British inventions ever. And just because they’re modern doesn”t mean they’re bad.
Cheese!!!!
fink North American informal
n noun
1 an unpleasant or contemptible person.
2 an informer.
n verb
1 (fink on) inform on.
2 (fink out) back out of a responsibility
The Pink Phink (1964)
The Pink Panther, walking inside a building, sees a little man painting a wall blue and thinks that pink would be more appropriate. So, the Pink Panther obtains a bucket of pink paint and begins painting the wall with his preferred color. The hot-tempered man doesn’t at first realize that his work is being painted over by the panther, but when he does, he grabs a rifle and shoots at the pink cat. The Pink Panther pours his pink paint into the man’s rifle, and with each shot that the man fires, gobs of pink paint splatter on the building, turning it entirely pink! And so, the Pink Panther graciously decides to become the building’s new occupant.
1. The Pink Panther to me is a Peter Sellers film and a so-so (ni fu ni fa) date at Sweet Sixteen.
2. The Pink Panther turned 40 two years ago and so did someone up here I thought could be a friend. So I gave her a big stuffed Pink Panther but…alas, she didn’t get it. Was it cultural? Or simply that not everyone has the sense of humour to appreciate an impractical gift?
3. At our French teacher Anaïs’s great and unique wedding party last night, Jeremy said it may have been my new pink reading glasses that inspired him to write about The Pink Panther. I was tickled pink. Jeremy is a “noticer� and a “rememberer� of women’s eyeglasses. I think it takes a sweet sweet soul and a great sense of humour to be a “noticer� and “rememberer� of women’s spectacles.
The Pink Panther likes all things pink. I like The Pink Panther because he is very funny even if he is so serious he never smiles or laughs.
Reading this made me wonder why I am the odd one out, the one who has never seen the Pink Panther. Some research into Wikipedia gave me the answer. The Pink Panther’s television reign ended in 1980. We children of the eighties, the offspring of Generation X, were deprived of the Pink Panther. By the time he made his comeback, we were no longer interested in cartoons and therefore never really got to appreciate this humor…this panthermime.
Speaking of humor, I think it is what most separates me from the local culture. Maybe we’ll all have to sit down together for a Pink Panther session…
Hello,
I didn’t know the relationship between the Pink Panther’s cartoons an the Peter Sellers’ films. If I have seen one of his fims as Inspector Clouseau (I’m not sure), I have never seen the Pink Panther there. I didn’t understand, but know I have got it. The Pink Panther was most clever and efficient that the Inspector, and all this not speaking.
For me the cartoons were very important when I was a child, but also now. I agree with people that say that before the cartoons were better. For me the cartoons were better (“Marco”, “Heidi”, “Vicky el Vikingo”, “La Abeja Maya”), but now you can find some very interesting. I like “Doraemon”, and also “Bob Esponja”, and also “Shin Chan” (I don’t if this is the correct name), and of course “The Simpsons”. Some of them aren’t for children, but maybe for this I like them.
At weekends I like wake-up early and watch cartoons in the TV. It is one of my favourite things to do at weekends.
See you.
Conchi Calvo
Dear Jeremy,
You can visit this link to learn more about “Chicho terremoto�.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaLB3kikO34&search=chicho%20terremoto
In a few words, Chicho is a naughty teenager, he plays basket although his height is smaller than usual. He plays basketball very well, and he plays pranks every day. He really loves a girl named “Rosita� and he dreams with the Rosita’s knickers. When he sees the Rosita’s knickers he get crazy and he starts to drool.
This cartoon is from Japon. It’s very funny and it’s not as normal as other cartoons, but I really enjoy with it.
Best regards !!!
Ok…now I know where I’ve seen this Momo character.
Remember how I recently “confessed” to not being up with the music scene? Well…I’m not the one Paola to let you know how big “The Perfume” is over here in Spain…haven’t heard of it, at least.
A quick look at the listings online for the local cinema shows;
Ciudad sin Ley
Ant Bully….
C.R.A.Z.Y
Monster House
Pequeño pero Matón
...The all look a bit on the violent side to me. No sign of anything fragrant. Pink Panther…where are you??!!
(P.S. So how does “The Neverending Story” finish…in the end that is?! Ha ha…/ je je / in V Gate’s land ? ?)
:o)
Of course ! Batfink!
Who was cuter though – the loveable bat or the Pink Panther?
1. This is the first time I’ve seen “ni fu ni fa” in print! So “the Pnk Panther date” didn’t go too well? Paw you (agh)!
2. Regarding your generous present…well…I’m sorry to see our furry friend involved in this! There’d be so many poor versions of the P.P. out there in the shops that maybe nothing lives up the high standards of the on-screen version…disappointment was maybe inevitable.(More seriously…the buying of “practical” or “appropriate presents” definitely depends on the culture…from my experience. I’ll never forget the look on my wife’s face when she unwrapped the camping stove I got her for christmas a few years ago…)
3. Ha ha- lovely stuff with “tickled pink”! Yes it’s definitely possible that the er…”highly visible” pink glasses could have triggered off the Pink Panther obsession that’s currently got hold of me…
“Pinkpantheritis”?
Oscar – how old do you think the Pink Panther is? Older or younger than you?
Can you see or suggest a reason why most cartoon characters are…I think…male?
Is the following joke funny, or not?
“What’s the Pink Pranther’s favourite food?”
“Prinkles!”.
No pp??!
Panthermime indeed!!!! Wonderful.
Like Gina, you’ve touched on the “cultural” thing, and one the main things that I had in my mind when I wrote the article (apart from those glasses!!) was the difficulty with which humour can be translated…Like you say, I also continue to feel – though less and less – a certain degree of separation from the locals when I try and express “my humour”. I guess that my humour comes across as completely out of context. After all, here, I’m the guiri.
Perhaps one reasonable criteria for knowing that your language is “pretty good” is a) being able to confidently express your humour and (when you do it) b) most native speakers don’t look at you as if you just landed from the planet Bobo.
I know that look in people’s eyes.
But I can live with it!!
Ignacio,
...or can I see Igchichio? (“terremoto”, full of pranks,etc etc !!)
Little Chicho is quite a cute little guy…for a teenager at least!
I’ve had a quick look at this little character on the youtube site…and tried to listen to the song (don’t forget that perhaps the main benefit of the webiste is that you can practise your listening ...not just the reading)
I’ve never found it easy to decipher the words of any song in any language…
What are the words –
“Es un …..-ijo, un ….pequeñito”
Para ser un buen (?) “tapón”
= A big tapa??
Maybe I need to listen to more songs!!
Hello Conchi,
Thanks for including your comments on the blog. I think many people, like you, associate teh name “The Pink Panther” with the Peters Sellers film…although there’s the simple connection that you mention, with the animal/ cartoon figure appearing (for the first time ever) at the end of the film.
So you’re a cartoon fan, from what you say, and particularly a fan of “more adult” cartoons. Bob “the Sponge” (?) is certainly an original name…for a cartoon character …
If you want to get an idea of what any British 30-40 year olds might have been exposed to when they were growing up…you could check out –
Top Cat
(see “original theme tune” in the external links section).
and
Captain Pugwash (+ the theme tune)
Even when I don’t like cartons, I’ve to admit that this is a singular one and I enjoy it when I’ve the opportunity of seeing it on TV.
I think, sense of humour is universal, maybe it changes depending on the character of each person but you can find people who like black, ironic, sarcastic, paradoxical, … humour all over the world. Maybe this is the key of Pink panther popularity.
Stereotypes like Andalusians are nice and they are laughing all the time or Catalans are very serious is absolutely untrue. I’ve found people with and without sense of humour in every place I’ve had the chance of living.
But something is sure, laughing is a very good way to keep yourself healthy (physicaly and mentaly). More and more, they say that laughing at yourself is a excellent mental therapy. I recommend you to do it, although you must be in a confidence environment.
Ah! And some people use to consider that sense of humour is a lack of seriousness and formality. They are completely wrong.
Regards
Miguel
Hello Miguel!
Thanks for taking the time to add a comment and tell us what you think.I think you’re right that “you can find a little bit of everything, everywhere” when it comes to senses of humour. But there certainly seem to be different (hmmm….I’m trying to find th right word!! – it happens to native speakers too of course!!!) tastes/ preferences/ tendencies. Is it my imagination or do many of the top comedians on Spanish tv seem to come from Catalonia?
You’ve reminded me too, that laughter has health benefits too! (why do so many people “get obsessed” with “the gym” and language courses, when a “laughter therapy” would surely be, well, simply more fun and more beneficial??!!)
If anyone’s still reading this…check out the FAQs at
What is laughter therapy?
A final question for now –
Do you think your company would be willing to pay for laughter therapy for your department? Maybe with people like you they wouldn’t need to anyway!...
Best regards Miguel,
Jeremy
P.S. Got any good jokes?!
A possible source of office jokes
Jez Quinton – will you read this….? I’d so love to see you! I remember your laugh so clearly…that wining smile and your banana man track suit bottoms. So much has happend since I last saw you…. are you still married. We both fell in love and lost touch with one another – which I really regret. I saw Ingram and his lovely wife at Ali Bowe’s wedding. He poured a pint of beer on me…. by accident! After we left Uni I once scoured every italina restuarant in Brighton as I’d heard you were working in one! I shall read your letters regardless of whether you write back… Kisses Katie (Goodson – now Goodson-Thomas).
xxx
Hello Jeremy,
I have a magnificent memory of the cartoon The pink panther, , in the evenings, while my brothers and I were taking the snack, we always saw the TV.
That good memories ….....pink, I remember perfectly the music.
I always say that to laugh treats almost everything, at least during the time that you are laughing, you forget everything.
You might say an article for the memory !!!
See you soon.
Reyes.