JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonMurder By Death (1976)
November 7th 2006 07:51
Murder By Death
Director:Robert Moore
DVD Cover
Writer:Neil Simon
Starring:Peter Sellers, Peter Falk, Alec Guiness, David Niven, Maggie Smith, James Coco, Eileen Brennan, Elsa Lancaster, James Cromwell
“Will you stop saying "touch nothing??” We're all experienced criminologists. I find it insulting, debasing, and redundant to keep telling us to "touch nothing!"- Miss Marbles
Writer of stage and screen Neil Simon (The Odd Couple, Biloxi Blues, California Suite etc) gives a host of familiar characters deliciously self aware lines in this knowledgeable, screw ball comedy that parodies the Murder/Mystery genre.
The story is simple, the plot is not. Five famous literary detectives are invited to dinner by the mysterious Nigel Twain (Truman Capote) to solve a murder that will take place after the meal.
“There's nothing on him 'til '46, when he was picked up in El Paso, Texas, for trying to smuggle a truckload of rich white Americans across the border into Mexico to pick melons”-Tess Skeffington
On the guest list we have the Sam Spade inspired Sam Diamond (Peter Falk).
“The last time that I trusted a dame was in Paris in 1940. She said she was going out to get a bottle of wine. Two hours later, the Germans marched into France”-Sam
Milo Perrier (James Coco) and Jessica Marbles (Elsa Lanchaster) as the Agatha Christie types.
“I'm a NOT a Frenchie, Im a Belgie!!"-Perrier
Echoing the Thin Man series with a dash of Nick Charles we have Dick Charleston (David Niven) and his wife Dora (Maggie Smith).
“Just as I thought: another test that could have cost us our lives, saved only by the fact that I am ENORMOUSLY well-bred”-Dick
Inspector Wang (Peter Sellers) rounds them out with a nod to Charlie Chan.
“Big house like man married to fat woman: hard to get around.”-Wang
Greeting them all at the door to Mr Twain’s massive estate is Jamessir Bensonmum (Alec Guiness) a blind butler with problems, the sort of problems Ray Charles would have if he decided to become a Formula One driver.
Accompanied by their assistants/sidekicks these forensic geniuses must follow the clues, solve the case and prove once and for all which is the greatest living criminal analyst.
John Doe says:
A politically incorrect, razor sharp wit and a cast of famous faces make this theatrical comedy entertainment of the highest quality.
The classic Murder Mystery satire came into its own in the 1970’s and 80’s with films like Clue, Sleuth, The 7% Solution and Without A Clue, Murder By Death is possibly the funniest because of its broad humour.
Bordering on farce the out of control laughter comes from every direction, the dialogue, performances and staging all work to overwhelm on first viewing. It takes a few screenings to pick up all the rapid fire zingers that keep you chuckling long after the punchline.
Well known faces deliver the witty lines that shift from high to low brow within a single breath. The ensemble cast happily chew the scenery together, pushing the boundaries of their characters and burst of the screen with energy.
Peter Sellers (The Party, Being There, Dr Strangelove, Lolita, Pink Panther) in heavy make up, plays to the stereotypical chinaman cliché of yesteryear with a zesty pleasure.
David Niven (Casino Royale, The Pink Panther, Death On The Nile, Guns Of navarone) and Maggie Smith (California Suite, Gosford Park, Harry Potter, Tea With Mussolini, Evil Under The Sun) bring a delightful chemistry and their barbed words flow like a smooth cheese sauce delicately laced with broken glass.
Peter Falk aka Columbo (Made, The In-Laws, The Brinks Job, Husbands, Princess Bride, Mikey and Nicky) is playing right into his strengths with this and his dishevelled, gruff and off balance appearance makes me laugh even when he is not sprouting one of his many socially unacceptable, sexually conflicted jabs.
Shining just as bright is James Coco who's massive stature and exuberance sometimes dwarves all others.
A real moment in cinema history is seeing Truman Capoteappear in his only film, essentially playing himself and hamming it up for the cameras. Equally monumental is that Alec Guiness received the script to Star Wars while making this film and read it for the firsdt time, between set ups.
This is a delightful comedy that unlike most of the films I enjoy has no inner meaning or depth just a very simple premise that is endlessly amusing thanks to the screenplay and actors.
Keep an ear out for the doorbell, the scream is actually Fay Wray in King Kong.
The DVD:
Extras free with a clear anamorphic picture and 2 channel digital sounds. I would have enjoyed a commentary, but I’ve rewatched the DVD so many times on I can’t complain about value for money.
“Will you stop saying "touch nothing??” We're all experienced criminologists. I find it insulting, debasing, and redundant to keep telling us to "touch nothing!"- Miss Marbles
Writer of stage and screen Neil Simon (The Odd Couple, Biloxi Blues, California Suite etc) gives a host of familiar characters deliciously self aware lines in this knowledgeable, screw ball comedy that parodies the Murder/Mystery genre.
The story is simple, the plot is not. Five famous literary detectives are invited to dinner by the mysterious Nigel Twain (Truman Capote) to solve a murder that will take place after the meal.
“There's nothing on him 'til '46, when he was picked up in El Paso, Texas, for trying to smuggle a truckload of rich white Americans across the border into Mexico to pick melons”-Tess Skeffington
On the guest list we have the Sam Spade inspired Sam Diamond (Peter Falk).
“The last time that I trusted a dame was in Paris in 1940. She said she was going out to get a bottle of wine. Two hours later, the Germans marched into France”-Sam
Milo Perrier (James Coco) and Jessica Marbles (Elsa Lanchaster) as the Agatha Christie types.
“I'm a NOT a Frenchie, Im a Belgie!!"-Perrier
Echoing the Thin Man series with a dash of Nick Charles we have Dick Charleston (David Niven) and his wife Dora (Maggie Smith).
“Just as I thought: another test that could have cost us our lives, saved only by the fact that I am ENORMOUSLY well-bred”-Dick
Inspector Wang (Peter Sellers) rounds them out with a nod to Charlie Chan.
“Big house like man married to fat woman: hard to get around.”-Wang
Greeting them all at the door to Mr Twain’s massive estate is Jamessir Bensonmum (Alec Guiness) a blind butler with problems, the sort of problems Ray Charles would have if he decided to become a Formula One driver.
Accompanied by their assistants/sidekicks these forensic geniuses must follow the clues, solve the case and prove once and for all which is the greatest living criminal analyst.
John Doe says:
A politically incorrect, razor sharp wit and a cast of famous faces make this theatrical comedy entertainment of the highest quality.
The classic Murder Mystery satire came into its own in the 1970’s and 80’s with films like Clue, Sleuth, The 7% Solution and Without A Clue, Murder By Death is possibly the funniest because of its broad humour.
Bordering on farce the out of control laughter comes from every direction, the dialogue, performances and staging all work to overwhelm on first viewing. It takes a few screenings to pick up all the rapid fire zingers that keep you chuckling long after the punchline.
Well known faces deliver the witty lines that shift from high to low brow within a single breath. The ensemble cast happily chew the scenery together, pushing the boundaries of their characters and burst of the screen with energy.
Peter Sellers (The Party, Being There, Dr Strangelove, Lolita, Pink Panther) in heavy make up, plays to the stereotypical chinaman cliché of yesteryear with a zesty pleasure.
David Niven (Casino Royale, The Pink Panther, Death On The Nile, Guns Of navarone) and Maggie Smith (California Suite, Gosford Park, Harry Potter, Tea With Mussolini, Evil Under The Sun) bring a delightful chemistry and their barbed words flow like a smooth cheese sauce delicately laced with broken glass.
Peter Falk aka Columbo (Made, The In-Laws, The Brinks Job, Husbands, Princess Bride, Mikey and Nicky) is playing right into his strengths with this and his dishevelled, gruff and off balance appearance makes me laugh even when he is not sprouting one of his many socially unacceptable, sexually conflicted jabs.
Shining just as bright is James Coco who's massive stature and exuberance sometimes dwarves all others.
A real moment in cinema history is seeing Truman Capoteappear in his only film, essentially playing himself and hamming it up for the cameras. Equally monumental is that Alec Guiness received the script to Star Wars while making this film and read it for the firsdt time, between set ups.
This is a delightful comedy that unlike most of the films I enjoy has no inner meaning or depth just a very simple premise that is endlessly amusing thanks to the screenplay and actors.
Keep an ear out for the doorbell, the scream is actually Fay Wray in King Kong.
The DVD:
Extras free with a clear anamorphic picture and 2 channel digital sounds. I would have enjoyed a commentary, but I’ve rewatched the DVD so many times on I can’t complain about value for money.
"I gotto take a crap and get out of this monkey suit. Has anyone seen my hat?"
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Comment by LaurenD
LaurenD
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comedy gem, thank you for making my day LaurenD.