An American comedy; This story is the first in a long series starring Peter Sellers as bumbling French Police Inspector. His mishaps are amusing, though here he is a supporting player to the suave David Niven who stars as Sir Charles Litton, a jewel thief known as "The Phantom." Claudia Cardinale as the beautiful Princess is delectable. Mancini's powerful score and the memorable song "Meglio Stasera" make it a real treat. The costume design, set design, and the enchanting wintry Cortina D'Ampezzo as a backdrop, makes the viewing very pleasurable. The story is slow with a dull, directionless plot, and it is less comedic than its later sequels but some funny routines make it charming.