The opening title sequence of the Return of the Pink Panther is done in animation although the rest of the film is not. It shows the main character, the detective, and also the missing diamond he tries to find in the movie, the Pink Panther, shown in the title sequence as the very literal interpretation of an actual panther that is pink.
Most of the opening shows the panther putting on a bit of a spectacle and later involved in a wild goose chase with the detective. Because the opening credits are shown as cartoon characters or in animation, it gives the movie that light-hearted, humorous feel.
Because the opening sequence is done in animation, it is made clear from the very start what kind of movie this is. The audience is aware that it is suitable for the entire family and due to the good use of animation to clearly portray the panthers whimsicality and the detectives daftness, they are made very aware that it is a comedy from very early on.
Examples of the animation having a comedic effect are when the panther leaves a button for the detective to push and when he does, ends up covered in a head of suds. Or even something as simple as just moving the eyebrow of the pink panther in a waggling motion.
Mise-en-scene. The arrangement of performers and properties on a stage for a theatrical production or before the camera in a film.
The director of the Return of the Pink Panther keeps things simple for most of the opening title sequence, with sometimes the only things in the shot being the cartoon versions of the detective and the pink panther. This helps to emphasise that these are the principle elements to the movie, or the main storyline. Because they are the only subjects on screen, it makes the plot very easy to understand as there are not other objects or elements complicating the scene and distracting the audience.
At other times, the director includes items to accessorise the panther. Examples include, a cowboy hat and a fruit head-piece and other hats which easily hide him from the detective and also tell the audience who the pink panther is acting as (a gangster, Charlie Chaplin, a cowboy etc...) just by adding a simple hat into the scene. This gives the idea that even though the pink panther may be right under the detectives nose, he won't be able to find it.
We are shown the panther cruising across the shot in a pink limousine. The detective follows on a precarious looking scooter. This gives the audience insight into the movie's storyline, giving them the idea that the pink panther is elusive and that the poor old bumbling detective is going to have some bad luck and some troubles along the way.
The fact that there is never too much going on is very effective and to the point and makes the concepts easy to grasp and the mise-en-scene is used to foreshadow the ideas of the movie.
Sound. Transmitted vibrations of any frequency.
The Return of the Pink Panther's title sequence uses both diegetic and non-diegetic sound to add to the effect of the movie.
The opening sequence of the Return of the Pink Panther has no dialogue. This is an effective technique as the animated characters make sounds which help us to grasp their moods and reactions. It also adds to the effect of the opening sequence as becuase there is no dialogue, we are not distracted by what is actually happening in the scene by trying to listen to what the characters say.
The main element of sound in the opening sequence is the song The Pink Panther which plays continuously in the background. It is a song which is very well recognised and is used in lots of other movies such as Charlie's Angels. But it is iconic to the Pink Panther and so it helps to set the mood. When we hear that song we can just imagine the bad sleuthy skits. The song allows the audience to grasp the tone of the film. That it is light-hearted and fun.
As the music accompanies the actions of the panther, it helps to make the panther the main focus of the audiences attention, again, foreshadowing the movie.
Colour. The aspect of visual perception by which an observer recognizes this attribute
One of the most effective techniques used in the title sequence is the use of colour. The movie is titled "The PINK Panther" and so the opening sequence is very appropriately rather pink. The pink panther is the title character (although not really a character except in the opening) and so it is expected that he is pink. The accessories the pink panther has eg; the fruit hat, the cowboy hat, the limousine, are all pink. In fact everything that the pink panther has is in different shades of pink!
The pink pather, though, is not the only thing put into this title sequence that's pink. The lighting on the pink pather is pink, the names of the principle actors and film crew's names appear in different shades of pink lights like those at a movie premiere or on Broadway showing the cartoon panthers effervescence and also it's importance in the movie.
The use of all this pink draws the audience's attention back to the title of the movie, The Return of the Pink Panther. Because everything to do with the cartoon version of the pink panther is some shade of pink, it highlights the importance of the panther and ensures that, even though after the opening title sequence it becomes just an object and no longer a character, the audience still remembers that the pink panther is that the heart of the entire movie.
Also, another use of the colour pink, sets up the movie to be funny and light because it is recognised as a humourous link to the title. The theme of pink is more dominant in the title than in any other part of the story with the only real exhibit of pink in the movie being that of the diamond. But it sets up a nice mood for the movie and importance of the prized pink panther diamond in the future.
