His Orchestra Pink Panther Soundtrack CD

Originally released on RCA (2795). Includes reissue liner notes by Michael Hill.

Digitally remastered by Elliott Federman (SAJE Sound, New York, New York).

"Moon River" might be Henry Mancini's biggest hit, but it was Mancini's score for Blake Edwards's 1964 farce THE PINK PANTHER that introduced his music to generations of children; the haunting, jazzy main theme was used in dozens of cartoon shorts that were broadcast on television for years. Aside from that familiar tune, the majority of this soundtrack consists of swinging-'60s jazzy pop exotica with a Continental flair and a sly sense of humor, most notably the madcap "Shades of Sennett." You also get one of Mancini's finest pop songs, "It Had Better Be Tonight," here in both an instrumental and a vocal version, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. (Sadly, the version in Italian sung in the film by Capucine has never been on any of the soundtrack releases.) This reissue also includes four tracks from 1974's RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER.

Original score composed by Henry Mancini.

Recorded at RCA Victor's Music Center Of The World, Hollywood, California.

Producer: Joe Reisman.

Reissue producer: Rob Santos.

Composer: Christophe Beck.Entertainment Weekly (10/12/01, p.36) - Ranked #43 in EW's "100 Best Movie Soundtracks" - "...Retains the swank, sneaky charm of a continental cat burglar..."
Mojo (Publisher) (6/02, p.65) - Included in Mojo's "100 Coolest Movie Soundtracks" - "...Scored to perfection..."