A Shot in the Dark

"…the picture that gets away with murder!"

Jan 29 1965 Approved 1h 42m
Comedy, Mystery

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.

Plot

Ballon household: Benjamin Ballon and his wife Madame Ballon, Henri Lafarge the head Butler and his wife Madame Lafarge the Cook, Miguel Ostos the Head Chauffeur, Maria Gambrelli the third maid, Pierre the second Chauffeur and his wife Dudo the head Maid, Georges the Gardener and his wife Simone the second Maid, Maurice the second Butler. Affairs: Monsieur Ballon and Maria, Maria and Miguel, Henri and Dudo, Madame Ballon and Henri, Pierre and Simone. Who killed who: Madame Ballon accidentally shot Miguel because she suspected her husband of having an affair with Maria and wanted to kill him. Madame LaFarge killed Georges because he threatened to break up with her. Simone killed Dudo to eliminate her because she was in the way of her affair with Pierre. Monsieur Ballon killed Henri because he was having an affair with his wife. Blackmailers: Georges blackmailing Monsieur Ballon (Seen leaving Maria's room). Maurice blackmailing Madame Ballon. (Seen leaving Maria's room).

Written by

Blake Edwards, William Peter Blatty, Harry Kurnitz

Directed by

Blake Edwards

Production Countries

United States of America, United Kingdom

Production Companies

The Mirisch Company, United Artists

Languages

English, Français

Awards

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award3 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
32,229
Average Rating
7.3 out of 10
Metascore
70
Popularity
NA