"Human beings react to animated forms if there is something we can relate to in them, if we can feel the character and the personality. That is true with the Pink Panther. We can relate to him. He represents us," says Beck.

"The other reason that it clicked with audiences is artistic. He is an unusual character who grabbed our attention. The look was different too. It was one that marched to its own drummer."

Time that PP had his on star on H Walk Of Fame?

Beck’s take is that the Pink Panther and Yellow Submarine the only two landmarks in animation during the 1960s. He says both were revolutionary.

"But as ground-breaking as Yellow Submarine was, it didn’t immediately spawn follow-ups. Whereas with the Pink Panther there were sequels to the movies and by the end of the decade the character started appearing on TV. His legacy lasted a lot longer.

"And not only did he inspire the spin-offs from the Pink Panther movies but he also inspired a whole spate of animated titles in movies. It was the in-thing to do after the Pink Panther."

The historian is surprised that to date there has not been a full length Pink Panther cartoon feature. "It is a great idea and I’m sure they will figure it out one of these days."

One of the secrets of the Pink Panther achieving international success and being a timeless treat is the fact that the cartoon character is a silent character.

"It was a wonderful thing that they did in not having the Pink Panther character talk because it means it is a truly international cartoon," aggress Beck.

Not surprising Pink Panther fan Jerry Beck is convinced that it is time that this chic cartoon character had its own star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

"Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse have their star. So of course the Pink Panther should have his star," he says. "There are a handful of classic cartoon characters and the Pink Panther is definitely a movie star; he opens movies and he should have his star."

The Pink Panther (1963) Blu-ray Special Edition is Available on 9 February 2009 from MGM and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment