The Lady in Question (TV 1999)

In 1938, Jewish-rights activist Emma Sachs is targeted by the Nazis. When she dies, foul play is suspected. But was it the Nazis, or was it someone else? Det. Tony Rossini investigates, ... See full summary »

Director:

Joyce Chopra

Writers:

Gene Wilder, Gilbert Pearlman

Stars:

Gene Wilder, Mike Starr, Cherry Jones

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gene Wilder	...	Larry 'Cash' Carter
Mike Starr	...	Det. Tony Rossini
Cherry Jones	...	Mimi Barnes
Barbara Sukowa	...	Rachel Singer
John Benjamin Hickey	...	Paul Kessler
Michael Cumpsty	...	Klaus Gruber
Daniel Sauli	...	Rudy Bernheim (as Daniel Serafini-Sauli)
Kerry McPherson	...	Dorie Bernheim
Dixie Seatle	...	Gertie Moser
Kate Trotter
Claire Bloom	...	Emma Sachs
Bruce Davies	...	Manservant
Brian Marler	...	Chauffeur
Peter Snider	...	Sinister Looking Man
Adrienne Gould

Storyline

In 1938, Jewish-rights activist Emma Sachs is targeted by the Nazis. When she dies, foul play is suspected. But was it the Nazis, or was it someone else? Det. Tony Rossini investigates, along with Larry "Cash" Carter, a theatre director connected to Mrs. Sachs and her family.

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Plot Keywords:

nazi | inheritance | murder | flight attendant | detective | 

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Genres:

Mystery | Crime | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Dama em Questão

Filming Locations:

61 Binscarth Rd, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crystal Sky Worldwide, Granada Entertainment, Stan Margolies Company, The

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Det. Tony Rossini: I got one of my men watching him at the hotel. I could take you there, wait with you in my car. If this Wheeler guy shows himself in the lobby or cocktail lounge, or tries to leave the hotel, maybe you could bump into him -- you know, accidentally pass him by -- and if he asks you for a drink, maybe you could accept. "Oh, what kind of business are you in, Mr. Wheeler? Oh, how NICE. Oh, do you have family, Mr. Wheeler?" Do you think you could do that?
Mimi Barnes: Are you kidding? That's what I do all day on...
[...]

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Connections

References Dinner at Eight (1933)

User Reviews

Nothing absolutely outstanding but not a bad way to spend an hour-and-three-quarters or so

I love murder mysteries, particularly those of Agatha Christie(not that it is Christie, but it does have some elements of her plotting), and I like Gene Wilder so when I heard of Lady in Question I decided to give it a go. I wasn't expecting absolute perfection, considering it was a TV movie, I didn't get that, but what I got was a pretty satisfying and overall pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.

It does I do agree start off slowly complete with some draggy moments in the middle half, the plot does fall into predictability a little too much and the script has its weak spots.

However, I liked how it was filmed. The scenery, costumes, settings, hairstyles and make-up are authentic, charming and beautiful-looking. The soundtrack is nice and swinging and the direction is decent. The final solution did at least make some sense, and the film does have a somewhat appreciative nostalgic feel to it. The acting is nothing extraordinary but it was actually pretty good; Gene Wilder has been better, but he does a good job in the role of the theatre impresario turned detective. Claire Bloom is a nice touch as the anti-Nazi activist, while Mike Starr is surprisingly delightful as a detective and Barbara Sukowa is solid as a German sophisticate.

Overall, nothing brilliant, but I have to admit I quite liked it no matter how many faults it had. 7/10 Bethany Cox