Retrospective Film Review

A Shot in the Dark (1964) • 60 Years Later — Clouseau murder mystery is the zeitgeist of 1960s comedy

Bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau falls in love with murder suspect Maria Gambrelli and tries to clear her name.

In a grand mansion, seven suspects sit in silence as a detective stands before them. Millionaires, cooks, maids, and butlers anxiously await the verdict in a classic murder mystery finale. Then, the ever-reliable (though some might say bumbling) Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) fixes his gaze on each suspect in turn. “One of you…” he declares, “…. is a murderer!” The lights abruptly plunge the room into darkness. Panic erupts. A killer lurks amongst them — perhaps even more than one.

The plot of A Shot in the Dark follows a familiar path for the murder mystery genre. Late one night, four shots ring out in a darkened bedroom. Inspector Clouseau is immediately dispatched to investigate. The prime suspect is the beautiful Maria Gambrelli (Elke Sommer). However, Clouseau is unconvinced of her guilt — blinded by love or…