Daily Dialogue — February 18, 2015

GEORGE: Then, when I was thrown out of college, I made up my mind. I decided to, uh, live a little. I knew if I continued my academic endeavors I could depend upon that check of yours every month. You know what I did? I took a plush Hollywood apartment, surrounded myself with all the advantages of a wealthy bachelor, then I sent you reports of a brilliant academic career.
CHARLES: Well, I suppose a certain amount of dishonesty is bound to beget a certain amount of dishonesty.

Inspector Clouseau arrives at the jail and, after momentarily being waylaid, enters the Littons’ cell.

CLOUSEAU: Good morning, gentlemen.
CHARLES: Good morning, Inspector.
GEORGE: Ah, good morning, Inspector.
CHARLES: Guillotine all sharp and shiny?
CLOUSEAU: Just thought you’d like to know the trial is all set for tomorrow morning. It shouldn’t take too long.
CHARLES: Well, that sounds encouraging.
CLOUSEAU: Yes, it’s encouraging for me, but, uh, bad for you.
GEORGE: Have some coffee, Inspector.
CLOUSEAU: You know, you two could save yourselves a lot of trouble if you would tell me where the jewel is.
CHARLES: Take in some of that porridge, Inspector, it’s guaranteed good for sleuthing.
CLOUSEAU: You refuse to cooperate, huh?
GEORGE: We’ve offered you porridge and coffee, it’s all that’s left.
CLOUSEAU: Well, I’m glad you are enjoying yourselves, because you’re going to be here for the next twenty years.

— The Pink Panther (1963), written by Maurice Richlin, Blake Edwards

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Prison. Today’s suggestion by Will King.

Trivia: Peter Sellers modeled the character of Clouseau on the trademark of a box of matches which includes an image of Captain Matthew Webb, who in 1875 became the first person to swim the channel (his heroic mustache and proud stance are both mimicked). To lose weight, Sellers took dieting pills for a year.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary by Will: “It seems that Inspector Clouseau has finally gotten the upper hand on Sir Charles Litton and his nephew George. In this jail cell scene, Clouseau tries to pressure the thieves one last time to reveal where the famed Pink Panther diamond is hidden by threatening a long prison sentence, but Clouseau’s natural clumsiness yet again robs him of moment of triumph. In Blake Edwards’ films, triumph is often fleeting and the characters’ foibles are often both their strengths and their weaknesses.”

If you have a suggestion for this week’s theme, please post in comments.