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Murder by Death (1976)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Neil Simon (written by)
Release Date:
23 June 1976 (USA)
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Tagline:
By the time the world's greatest detectives figure out whodunnit... you could die laughing! more
Plot:
Five famous literary detective characters and their sidekicks are invited to a bizarre mansion to solve an even stranger mystery. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe.
Another 1 nomination
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NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Can 'Machete' And Its Ridiculous Cast Stack Up To These Five Ensemble Films?
(From MTV Movies Blog. 6 August 2009, 11:30 AM, PDT)
Scenes We Love: Murder By Death
(From Cinematical. 22 June 2009, 4:45 PM, PDT)
(From MTV Movies Blog. 6 August 2009, 11:30 AM, PDT)
Scenes We Love: Murder By Death
(From Cinematical. 22 June 2009, 4:45 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
A Comedy-Suspense Masterpiece!
more (133 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Eileen Brennan | ... | Tess Skeffington | |
| Truman Capote | ... | Lionel Twain | |
| James Coco | ... | Milo Perrier | |
| Peter Falk | ... | Sam Diamond | |
| Alec Guinness | ... | Bensonmum | |
| Elsa Lanchester | ... | Jessica Marbles | |
| David Niven | ... | Dick Charleston | |
| Peter Sellers | ... | Sidney Wang | |
| Maggie Smith | ... | Dora Charleston | |
| Nancy Walker | ... | Maid | |
| Estelle Winwood | ... | Nurse | |
| James Cromwell | ... | Marcel | |
| Richard Narita | ... | Willie Wang |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
94 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:PG (Approved No. 24496) |
Portugal:M/12 |
Belgium:Tous |
Finland:K-12 |
Iceland:L |
Ireland:PG |
Netherlands:AL |
Norway:15 |
UK:PG |
West Germany:12 |
Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Originally Katharine Hepburn was meant to play a character called Dame Abigail Christian (a spin on Agatha Christie). Hepburn dropped out after hearing Myrna Loy would not do the film. The character was changed to Dame Abigail Christmas, and Estelle Winwood took the role. After numerous re-writes Estelle became Nurse Withers to a new character, Elsa Lanchester's Miss Jessica Marbles.
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Goofs:
Continuity: When the Gargoyle falls on Inspector Wang and son, the position of the debris changes between shots. The first time the large "chunk" is on the steps. On the next shot it is down the steps next between Wang and son.
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Quotes:
Tess Skeffington:
He was very good to me. He would take me to the circus and give me candy. We stopped going when I was about twenty-six. I'm sorry, Sam.
Sam Diamond: Twenty-six? What the hell kind of a circus was it?
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Sam Diamond: Twenty-six? What the hell kind of a circus was it?
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Movie Connections:
Featured in Murder by Death: A Conversation with Neil Simon (1999) (V)
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FAQ
Who are the characters based on?more
more (133 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Murder by Death (1976)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Fellow Murder By Death lovers!!! | AlphaXiSEG |
| HUMOR?? | mindybiz |
| Sam Diamond gay? | Sten-Menden |
| Lines you'll never hear in 'Murder By Death' | starfleet_99 |
| Capote | katrahmat-1 |
| Woody? | lsgp-artist |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
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| Clue | The Secret of Treasure Island | The Thin Man | Murder on the Orient Express | The Black Doll |
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Eccentric millionaire Lionel Twain (Truman Capote) invites five of the world's greatest detectives, each allowed one guest, to dinner and a murder. Can the detectives, who turn out to be even more eccentric, stop the murder before it happens, and solve it if it does?
I first saw this film as a kid in 1976 with my parents at the theater. Although I could remember I liked it at the time, I hadn't seen it since, and it was at best a vague memory. I certainly didn't remember it being so hilarious and entertaining. Written by Neil Simon and directed by Robert Moore, Murder By Death is a very funny spoof of some of literature/filmdom's most famous detectives, set in a beautifully designed, creepy mansion, and at times, becoming a fine mystery film in its own right.
The jokes fly by very quickly and range from subtle to over-the-top, so attentiveness is required, and multiple viewings are rewarded. The cast is incredible, as you should expect by combining such luminaries as Peter Sellers, Peter Falk, Alec Guinness, James Coco and David Niven.
A comic masterpiece--10 out of 10 from me.