The Alphabet Murders (1965)

Hercule Poirot investigates a series of murders in London in which the victims are killed according to their initials.

Director:

Frank Tashlin

Writers:

David Pursall (screenplay), Jack Seddon (screenplay)

Stars:

Tony Randall, Robert Morley, Anita Ekberg

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tony Randall	...	Hercule Poirot
Anita Ekberg	...	Amanda Beatrice Cross
Robert Morley	...	Hastings
Maurice Denham	...	Japp
Guy Rolfe	...	Duncan Doncaster
Sheila Allen	...	Lady Diane
James Villiers	...	Franklin
Julian Glover	...	Don Fortune
Grazina Frame	...	Betty Barnard
Clive Morton	...	'X'
Cyril Luckham	...	Sir Carmichael Clarke
Richard Wattis	...	Wolf
David Lodge	...	Sergeant
Patrick Newell	...	Cracknell
Austin Trevor	...	Judson

Storyline

The Belgian detective Hercule Poirot investigates a series of murders in London in which the victims are killed according to their initials. The first victim is A.A. the second B.B. and so on. Poirot is assisted in his investigations by Captain Hastings and Inspector Japp.

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Plot Keywords:

hercule poirot character | murder | investigation | swimming pool | headstand | 

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Taglines:

It's really no mystery why this girl is MURDER... it's as simple as ABC if you look hard enough!

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 May 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amanda

Filming Locations:

MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lawrence P. Bachmann Productions,Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is based on Agatha Christie's "The ABC Murders." At the time The Alphabet Murders was made, ABC Cinemas was a major chain in Britain. Christie's title was changed to avoid them being offended (and possibly even refusing to screen the film).

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Goofs

As Tony Randall is climbing out of the trunk of the car that he was hiding in. The tail lights are clearly on. But when Robert Morley is sitting in the car the tail lights are off. In 1965, automatic headlights were not yet available for cars. Especially cheap models like this one. But, when Tony Randall and the cops return the lights are back on.

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Quotes

Hastings: Where have you been? What have you been doing?
Hercule Poirot: Arranging a little extra insurance my friend.
Hastings: Oh really? Personally I always feel perfectly safe with British railways. Mind you its very different in France, isn't it?
Hercule Poirot: I wouldn't know. I am not French, I am Belgian.
Hastings: Well it's the same thing, you both eat horsemeat.

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Crazy Credits

Tony Randall emerges from Borehamwood Studios' Stage 4 to introduce the film and acknowledge his own starring credit, first as himself and then in full Poirot make-up and character.

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Connections

Remade as Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)

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Soundtracks

Rule Britannia
(uncredited)
Music by Thomas Augustine Arne
Arranged by Ron Goodwin

User Reviews

Clearing up some errant comments

I believe that some commentators here are a tad off base with their assumptions.

The MGM production team for The Alphabet Murders was the same as for Margaret Rutherford's Miss Marple Series, which is why she and Stringer David had cameos. Therefore, it is highly doubtful that this was director Frank Tashlin's idea as some said.

Numerous posters here said that the slapstick comedy in this film was directly inspired by Peter Sellers' Inspector Clouseau. Doubtful. Sellers' Pink Panther slapstick is far broader and much more plentiful. If anything ABC's slapstick is derived from Tashlin's Bugs Bunny & Jerry Lewis days but equally from Randall himself. For my money the slapstick here is uninspired and falls flat - it's completely unnecessary.

Producer Lawrence Bachman, the screen writing team of David Pursall & Jack Seddon, cinematographer Desmond Dickinson, art director William Andrews, assistant director David Tomblin and composer Ron Goodwin (unmistakable stylist) all carried on from MGM's Marple films. More than anything this is your connection and inspiration.

Aside from some totally unnecessary slapstick, The Alphabet Murders is a light fun mystery. If you like the Marple series, you'll probably like this.