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The Pink Panther is a fictional animated character created by cartoonist Friz Freleng. The character made his debut in the 1963 film, The Pink Panther, appearing in the film’s opening and closing credits. Depicted as a suave and sophisticated character, the Pink Panther loves to play pranks on those around him and is a foil to the clueless Inspector Clouseau.

Since his debut, the Pink Panther has appeared in 124 short films, four television shows, four television specials, and 11 theatrical films. Henry Mancini’s iconic jazz composition, “The Pink Panther Theme,” is closely associated with the character. Animation historian Jerry Beck once referred to Pink Panther as “the last greatest Hollywood cartoon character.”

History with the Macy's Parade[]

The Pink Panther made his Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in 1976, when he appeared courtesy of United Artists to promote the recently-released The Pink Panther Strikes Again, appearing on the Cootie float.[1] He would make his next appearance in 1984, marching with his sons Pinky and Panky to promote the television series, Pink Panther and Sons.

The Pink Panther later made his debut as a giant helium balloon in 1988, prowling through Manhattan as a 72-foot tall helium inflatable. The colossal balloon—which was constructed by the Aerostar division of Raven Industries in Sioux Falls, South Dakota—depicted the Pink Panther holding true to his tradition of doing the wrong thing at the wrong time, wearing floral surfer shorts more suitable for summer weather. Keeping the Panther afloat is a 40-foot inner tube which identifies him as Macy’s official lifeguard.[2]

The balloon measured 72 feet tall, 40 feet wide and sported a 65 foot long tail, bringing the balloon’s total height to more than 100 feet; the combined height made it one of the largest inflatables to ever appear in the Parade lineup.[3] Helping the Pink Panther do the backstroke down Broadway were 50 balloon handlers and 12,500 cubic feet of helium.

The Pink Panther balloon made its first public appearance at the grand opening celebrations of the Macy’s store at the Fashion Mall in Plantation, Florida. The balloon marched in a miniature parade complete with balloons, the Vero Beach High School Fighting Indians Band, and the Plantation High School Colonels Varsity Cheerleading Squad.[4]

Later that November, the Pink Panther balloon made its official debut in New York. Celebrating the character’s 25th anniversary in style was Friz Freleng, who rode in an Excalibur Car that preceded the balloon. Along for the ride in black tails was the Pink Panther himself.[5]

In 1989, the balloon set out for its second flight down Broadway in a storm that left 4.7 inches of snow on New York City.[6] Though the troublesome weather caused the balloon’s tail, inner tube, and right hand to be punctured, the rest of the Pink Panther balloon’s flight went swimmingly as he kept his 12-foot smile on his face.[7]

The Pink Panther was later the star of a special performance during the 1991 Parade. In addition to the appearance of the Pink Panther balloon (whose inner tube was missing a marginal amount of helium), the Valley Stream Central High School Streamers played the part of a bunch of bumbling, stumbling Inspector Clouseaus in search of the elusive Pink Panther. Ever his sneaky self, a costumed version of the Pink Panther weaved his way through the crowd of detectives during the choreographed dance number.[8]

In September 1992, the Pink Panther balloon was flown in the grand opening parade of the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, joined by five of his Macy’s balloon contemporaries.[9]

That November, the balloon returned to the streets of NYC to promote the then-upcoming film, Son of the Pink Panther. Hot on its trails was an Excalibur Car with none other than the Pink Panther riding in the back. Once again, a group of detectives trailed behind the car in their beige overcoats, hoping to finally catch the famous feline.[10]

The Pink Panther balloon experienced a limp wrist and punctured hand in 1993 and 1994 respectively, but continued to catch waves as the coolest cat above Manhattan.[11][12]

In May 1995, the balloon appeared alongside dozens of other parade units at the Park Slope Armory for the first-ever Macy’s Balloon-A-Thon. The event sought to collect donations for the Prospect Park Alliance “Save Our Forest Campaign” while giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the famed procession.[13] The balloon also appeared at the 1996 edition of the event.[14]

B2DE19EF-2BF9-4824-895E-5EC3FB4441B6

The Pink Panther balloon, pictured here on Broadway, struggled in the winds in 1995.

During the windy 1995 Parade, the Pink Panther balloon, by then a seasoned parade veteran, experienced substantial damage. The balloon’s tail and legs were completely deflated, and much of the inner tube’s helium was lost.[15] Pink Panther’s left eye also lost air.[16] The balloon was able to complete the Parade route despite the extensive damage and was repaired for the following year’s parade, though the balloon’s scarf was not seen during this appearance.[17]

The Pink Panther balloon made its final appearance in the 1997 Parade. Here, the balloon faced turbulence as a result of the Thanksgiving winds that, at times, gusted up to 43 mph.[18] Even before starting its march, the balloon experienced minor abrasions that were eventually fixed.[19]

In a rare sight, the Pink Panther balloon was flown horizontally to combat the winds at the request of its pilot.[20] It wasn’t until 52nd Street that the balloon became truly unwieldy, when the seven-story tall inflatable lurched forward, sending several of its handlers tumbling towards the asphalt. The balloon also ran into a lamppost, but was able to back away safely.[20][21] By the time the Pink Panther had reached Times Square, the balloon “got really out of control.”[20]

The crosswinds at the intersection created a difficult situation for the already-shaken handlers, one of whom recited gospel hymns to keep herself calm. Suddenly, a gust of wind caused the balloon to kick its pilot, Richard Sasson, into the air, resulting in what one witness called a “very bad fall.”[20]

Sasson later recounted the incident in a social media post. “A police officer came over and asked if I was alright,” he said. “I stood up and said, ‘Yes sir, thank you. I got a balloon to fly, please excuse me.’”[22] He blew his whistle, and the balloon continued down the route. It wasn't long, however, until the Pink Panther balloon was torn open by a traffic light fixture at 42nd Street. Three balloon chambers were breached; the inner tube, shorts, and left hand. Sasson quickly asked a nearby officer for a knife and plunged it into the tail of the balloon, immediately stabilizing it.[20][23]

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The battered remains of the Pink Panther balloon were quickly sidelined by NYPD officers and balloon handlers. (Photo: UPI)

Within minutes, approximately 30 other NYPD officers aided in stabbing the balloon to allow for a quick deflation;[20] some sources say the balloon “imploded” at this time, showering spectators with balloon fabric.[18] During the collapse, many of the balloon’s handlers were terrified. “The balloon was caught on top of me and my daughter,” said balloon handler Joyce Reis. “We thought it was going to smother us.” Other testimonies from handlers at the scene stated some of their colleagues were knocked unconscious, though this was not independently verified by the NYPD.[23]

After thanking officers for their help, the handlers were sent to help another balloon, Quik Bunny.[20] That balloon, too, was pulled at 36th Street, and the handlers marched proudly by Macy’s Herald Square in their pink-clad outfits. In place of the Pink Panther balloon's live appearance, archival footage from the balloon's 1993 appearance was used.[24]

Following the events of the 1997 Parade, including an incident involving The Cat in the Hat balloon that left four spectators seriously injured, new rules and regulations were put in place to allow for a safer Parade to take place. These new guidelines capped the size of balloons at 78 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 70 feet tall. Though the Pink Panther balloon exceeded the regulations, they had little effect on the its future. The balloon was already planned to be sidelined for the 1998 Parade, according to Macy’s spokeswoman Ronnie Taffet.[25]

Despite the incident, it wouldn't be too long before the Pink Panther’s next Parade appearance. In 2001, he appeared on the Toon Balloon-Abration! float, which celebrated the Parade’s 75th anniversary with costumed characters that had appeared as famed Macy’s Parade balloons. He again reappeared in costume form in 2011 on the Hats Off to Our Heritage! float, serving an identical purpose as the procession celebrated its 85th anniversary; this appearance was the most recent Pink Panther sighting in the Macy’s Parade.

Trivia[]

  • The Pink Panther bought his flowered surfer shorts, aptly, at Macy's.[5]
  • The Pink Panther was the star of a Valentine’s Day promotion in 1989 at Macy’s Herald Square. A 32-foot tall inflatable of the character in his handsome smoking jacket was placed on the marquee, with a matching plush being sold for $10 with any purchase $30 or more.[26][27]

See also[]

References[]

  1. Facebook post from David Steven Simon.
  2. File:Citizens Voice Fri Nov 25 1988 .jpg
  3. Twitter post from Pink Panther
  4. "This Week at Macy's," The Miami Herald, August 7, 1988
  5. 5.0 5.1 "1988 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," Dino Drac's Retro Commercials!, YouTube.com
  6. "4 Weather Conditions That Can Throw a Wrench In Iconic Parades," Jennifer Fabiano, AccuWeather,
  7. "Thanksgiving in New York City," Hoosier Tim's Travel Videos, YouTube.com
  8. "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 1991 (part 2)" MajorLeaguePongGods, YouTube.com
  9. File:St Cloud Times Thu Sep 3 1992 .jpg
  10. "1992 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," Macy's Parade Recoveries, YouTube.com
  11. "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 1993," MajorLeaguePongGods, YouTube.com
  12. "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 1994," MajorLeaguePongGods, YouTube.com
  13. "Rise to the Occasion!" Daily News, April 30, 1995
  14. Macy's Balloon-A-Thon advertisement, The Boston Globe, April 24, 1996
  15. "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 1995," MajorLeaguePongGods, YouTube.com
  16. "Thrills and Chills for Spectators at Macy's Thanksgiving Parade," Jim Sir, The Herald News, November 24, 1995
  17. "1996 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," Nick S, YouTube.com
  18. 18.0 18.1 File:Daily News Tue Dec 2 1997 .jpg
  19. "Cat-in-the-Hat Balloon At Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York Knocks Down a Light Pole and Injures Four Spectators," Tom Hays, Associated Press, November 27, 1997
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6 "In windy Macy's Parade, Pink Panther took us on one wild ride," Lynette Bridges, The Charlotte Observer, December 7, 1997
  21. "Macy's NYC Thanksgiving Day Parade," DelhiTheCat, YouTube.com
  22. Facebook post from The Big Parade History Project.
  23. 23.0 23.1 "Macy's Parade of Balloons Gets One Thing It Doesn't Need: Wind," Douglas Martin, The New York Times, November 28, 1997
  24. "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 1997," MajorLeaguePongGods, YouTube.com
  25. "Balloons Bust," Robert Polner, Newsday, May 31, 1998
  26. Daily News, February 3, 1989
  27. "This Week at Macy's," The Palm Beach Post, January 29, 1989
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