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Turning Forty and Still on the Prowl: MGM Kicks Off Year-Long Celebration of the Pink Panther's 40th Birthday LOS ANGELES, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pink Panther, the beloved animated icon of mischief and hip style, is turning40 on April 11 and the world is invited to the party! In honor of the coolest cat to hit the screen since the famous MGM lion first roared, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios is celebrating the Pink Panther's milestone birthday with a diverse roster of studio-wide activities, licensed products and promotions around the globe throughout the year. "From stylish clothes and accessories to a modern club remix of the theme music, we're offering all kinds of ways for the general public to participate in this birthday celebration," said Travis Rutherford, Senior Vice President of MGM Consumer Products and Interactive. Befitting his international star status, the Pink Panther's festivities will be truly worldwide, ranging from a U.S. postage stamp to his own retail store in China. Originally created in 1964 by animators Friz Freleng and David DePatie for the opening credits of the classic film comedy "The Pink Panther," the cool cat won the hearts of millions and went on to enjoy a career that has spanned avariety of genres over the past four decades. He has appeared in the popular Pink Panther live action movies and cartoon shorts as well as several successful television series (still airing in worldwide syndication today), and he has received pop culture accolades such as being a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon and the having his paw prints immortalized in cement at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. For nearly all his appearances, the Pink Panther has been musically brought to life by Henry Mancini's unforgettable, hum-along, Grammy(R) Award-winning theme song. Over time the Pink Panther's appearance has evolved but his essence has remained the same. Whether it is the original, sophisticated Panther from the movie or the sly and irreverent cat that audiences know and love from the television cartoon, the Pink Panther has always epitomized the style and relaxed confidence that powers his enduring cross-generational appeal. "The Pink Panther's style and personality are traits that click with male and female audiences all over the world. His wordless antics translate well to any culture, which helps make him an international star that has stood the test of time," Rutherford said. "Research shows that people remember the Pink Panther for his prankster comedy, which makes them feel carefree and cheerful - what more could you ask from a successful entertainment franchise?" Highlights of the Pink Panther's year-long birthday bash include: -- Consumer Products with a New PinkPanther Flair -- MGM commissioned a sleek new set of Pink Panther designs from famed gallery artist SHAG (Josh Agle) that reinterpret the character's original elegant simplicity with current trends in fashion and design. SHAG himself credits the Pink Panther as a source of inspiration in the development of his own distinctive personal style. SHAG's new Pink Panther designs are the inspiration for a variety of consumer products -- ranging from designer shirts by international clothier Thomas Pink and women's fashions by JEM Sportswear, to martini sets and golf accessories, to playfully painted Nirve beach cruiser bikes and Vespa scooters. -- Special Edition DVD Gift Set -- MGM Home Entertainment is releasing a boxed set of Pink Panther films, starring Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau, in the U.S. on April 6 (international release dates vary by region). Domestically, the set will include digitally re-mastered versions of five Pink Panther movies and a bonus disc of special features including six original animated short films and commentary by the director. -- Viva Las Vegas -- 1960s "hip cats" Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. helped make theLas Vegas Strip a world-famous entertainment destination, and this year MGM's hip cat, the Pink Panther, will be painting the town pink to celebrate his 40th birthday. The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino will feature a Pink Panther store-within-a-store at the Grand and Company store in the hotel's main lobby. The MGM Grand will also feature Pink Panther on the Jumbotron and on special room key cards. Just down the street, the famous dancing fountains at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino will be bathed in pink lights and feature a number choreographed to the new Malibu remix of the Pink Panther theme during the hourly water show. -- Pink Postage -- Starting April 13, the Pink Panther will be featured on a U.S. Postal Service stamp honoring his theme composer, the late Henry Mancini. -- Modern Mancini -- No birthday fete would be complete without some hot tunes. Virgin Records is releasing a lounge/pop music collection called "Pink Panther's Penthouse Party" including remixes of Mancini's Pink Panther theme by modern producers St. Germain, Fischerspooner and Malibu. Virgin has also created a new Pink Panther music video for the Malibu theme remix. Concord Records is issuing "Ultimate Mancini" featuring the composer's most memorable songs, including the Pink Panther theme, performed by daughter Monica Mancini and celebrity musical guests. BMG is releasing two CDs -- "Midnight, Moonlight & Magic: The Very Best of Mancini" and "Ultimate Pink Panther," including all the music, songs and themes from the Pink Panther films. -- Pink Panther A-Thon -- Beginning April 11th, MGM Networks will feature a promotion for the anniversary on most of the branded services currently available around the globe. Over 100 countries will witness a programming marathon of Pink Panther material, and many will take part in different types of promotions and contests. -- Shanghai Pink -- The first-ever retail establishment totally devoted to the Pink Panther is under development and slated to open later this year in Shanghai, China. For more information about Pink Panther celebratory activities, visit http://www.pinkpanther.com/ on the Web. About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE:MGM), through its Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. subsidiary, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprised of about 4,000 titles. Its operating units include MGM Pictures, United Artists, MGM Television Entertainment, MGM Networks, MGM Distribution Co., MGM Worldwide Television Distribution, MGM Home Entertainment, MGM On Stage, MGM Consumer Products, MGM Music, MGM Interactive and MGM Online. MGM also has ownership interests in television channels reaching more than 100 countries. For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com/. CONTACT: Max Martens or Ilysha Adelstein Porter Novelli (310) 444-7000 DATASOURCE: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. CONTACT: Max Martens or Ilysha Adelstein of Porter Novelli, +1-310-444-7000, for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. Web site: http://www.pinkpanther.com/ http://www.mgm.com/

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