Product: Murder by Death (1976)
Rating: 4.0
THE STARS COME OUT
Neil Simon'w MURDER BY DEATH succeeds mainly because of the talented actors who bring a lot to roles that aren't that cleverly written. Simon's script pays homage to great detectives like Nick and Nora Charles, Hercule Poirot, Sam Spade, Charlie Chan, and Jane Marples. As embodied by this stellar cast, the caricatures are occasionally hilarious but always enjoyable.The world's greatest detectives are invited to the estate of Lionel Twain (Truman Capote in his film debut, who is quite funny and effective) to solve a gruesome murder. We have David Niven and Maggie Smith as Dick and Nora Charleston, the glamorous duo; Peter Falk as Columbo playing Sam Diamond, who as always is fine; Eileen Brennan is his sexy assistant and girlfriend; the inimitable Peter Sellers is Wang, the oriental sleuth; Elsa Lanchester plays Miss Marbles and James Coco is Frenchy Perrier, who is very funny too. The supporting cast is effectively rounded out by Estelle Winwood as Marbles' invalid nurse; Nancy Walker as the deaf and dumb cook; James Cromwell as Perriers fussy valet, Richard Narita as Wang's adopted Japanese son, and the scene stealing Alec Guinness as the blind butler.It's all corny but thoroughly enjoyable to watch these gifted actors grace the screen.