Product: Murder by Death (1976)
Rating: 4.0
A CLASSIC COMEDY EVEN IF A BIT DATED
A fun film that spoofs murder mysteries with a well known cast (from the 70s), including a relatively young James Cromwell (who wouldn't become super popular until later). Tale focuses upon the five greatest detectives brought to the mansion of an eccentric who wants them to solve a murder before it happens as well as prove to said five detectives that he's more clever than all of them combined. For an old film the humor was impressively delivered. Nice pickup of pace in the end, too. Four scenes (including one with Sherlock Holmes) were deleted from the film but shown in the original broadcast. The script for this film was nominated by the Academy Awards. The real Truman Capote made a rare movie appearance as the eccentric.STORY/PLOTTING: B plus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B plus to A minus; HUMOR: B plus; WHEN WATCHED: early September 2011; OVERALL GRADE: B plus.; BEST DIALOGUE: Sidney Wang: Big house like man married to fat woman: hard to get around.//// Sidney Wang: What meaning of this, Mr. Twain? Lionel Twain: I will tell you, Mr. Wang, if YOU can tell ME why a man who possesses one of the most brilliant minds of this century can't say his *prepositions* or *articles!* "What IS THE," Mr. Wang! "What IS THE meaning of this?" Sidney Wang: That what I said! "What meaning of this?" //// Willie Wang: I don't get it, Pop. Who would hire a blind butler? Sidney Wang: Very clever. How much he know he get paid? //// Tess Skeffington: Sam, why do you keep all those naked muscle men magazines in your office? Sam Diamond: Suspects. Always looking for suspects.//// Sidney Wang: Very interesting theory, Mr. Charleston, but you overlook one very important point. Dick Charleston: And that is? Sidney Wang: Is STUPID! Is most stupid theory I ever heard. [laughs] /// BEST DIALOGUE FOR WINE TYPES: Milo Perrier (after drinking from the "poisoned wine" and gagging as if dying): No, no, it's all right. My wine is not poisoned. It was just a bad year. ////