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Poster for A Shot in the Dark

A Shot in the Dark

Seen it?

1964 | 102 min | Comedy, Mystery, Crime

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for crime fans, anyone who likes to be kept guessing and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Knives Out or The Naked Gun, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Light and funny, tense.
The pace
Breezy, at 1 hr 42 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Made in 1964: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Inspector Jacques Clouseau, smitten with the accused maid Maria Gambrelli, unwittingly turns a straightforward murder investigation into a comedic series of mishaps, testing the patience of his irritable boss Charles Dreyfus as casualties mount.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.2 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $12 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 117K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Blake Edwards

  • Peter SellersJacques Clouseau
  • Elke SommerMaria Gambrelli
  • George SandersBenjamin Ballon
  • Herbert LomCharles Dreyfus
  • Graham StarkHercule LaJoy
  • Moira RedmondSimone
  • Tracy ReedDominique Ballon
  • Burt KwoukKato
  • André MaranneFrançois
  • Vanda GodsellMadame LaFarge