Foul Play (1978)

A shy San Francisco librarian and a bumbling cop fall in love as they solve a crime involving albinos, dwarves, and the Catholic Church.

Director:

Colin Higgins

Writer:

Colin Higgins

Stars:

Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Burgess Meredith

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Goldie Hawn	...	Gloria Mundy
Chevy Chase	...	Tony Carlson
Burgess Meredith	...	Mr. Hennessey
Rachel Roberts	...	Gerda Casswell
Eugene Roche	...	Archbishop Thorncrest
Dudley Moore	...	Stanley Tibbets
Marilyn Sokol	...	Stella
Brian Dennehy	...	Fergie
Marc Lawrence	...	Stiltskin
Chuck McCann	...	Theatre Manager
Billy Barty	...	J.J. MacKuen
Don Calfa	...	Scarface
Bruce Solomon	...	Scott
Cooper Huckabee	...	Sandy
Pat Ast	...	Mrs. Venus

Storyline

When, unbeknownst to Gloria, a microfilm cassette is left with her by a dying agent, she becomes entangled in a complicated series of events. She's pursued by a dwarf and an albino, and becomes convinced that they are out to kill her. Finally, with the help of San Francisco detective Tony Carlson, she begins to turn the tables on her pursuers. It becomes clear that the nerfarious crew after her are plotting a dastardly deed indeed - to assassinate the Pope as he visits the city to see _The Mikado_. Gloria and Tony must race against time to prevent this terrible crime.

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Plot Keywords:

woman in jeopardy | music conductor | mace spray | brass knuckles | attempted assassination | 

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Taglines:

A new comedy-thriller from Paramount for Summer '78

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Genres:

Comedy | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Foul Play (1978) is tied with Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) and The Godfather: Part III (1990) for having the most Golden Globe nominations without a win with seven.

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Goofs

At the climactic end, the audience and performers, who are bowing, make it appear that the opera is over. Actually, this is the end of Act One of The Mikado; there is a full Act Two to follow.

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Quotes

Bob Scott: Beware of the dwarf.
Gloria Mundy: Gee Scotty, I don't think there is a dwarf in this movie.

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Crazy Credits

Esme the snake is played by Shirley Python.

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Connections

Referenced in Serial Mom (1994)

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Soundtracks

Copacabana (At The Copa)
Written by Jack Feldman, Bruce Sussman, and Barry Manilow
Sung by Barry Manilow
Courtesy of Arista Records

User Reviews

"The Girl Who Knew Too Much"

Goldie Hawn gives a delicious comic performance as a San Francisco librarian who's been living like a hermit, encouraged by a friend to get out there and shake her pom-poms; instead, she becomes indirectly involved with a pack of nefarious criminals who plan to assassinate the Pope (!) on his visit to the Opera House. The picture has some real ringers (Dudley Moore and his apartment full of sex toys, two little old ladies playing Dirty Scrabble), but Hawn is very appealing, especially while sitting in a movie theater with her black-rimmed glasses watching a film-noir about a detective and a Chinese sailor. Chevy Chase, in his debut as a leading man following his departure from "Saturday Night Live", plays the lovestruck cop on the case and he's very green; some of his lines fall flat (especially a tasteless bit about a government official wearing make-up), however his love scenes with Goldie are low-keyed and sweet. The bungled car-chase finale is a complete waste, yet the movie is buoyed by a terrific supporting cast, including funny Billy Barty, handsome Brian Dennehy (who gets lost in the action), scene-stealing Burgess Meredith and kinky, salacious Rachel Roberts (as "Delia Darrow"). A fitfully fun time. *** from ****

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 July 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Killing Lydia

Filming Locations:

141 N Grand Ave, Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$44,999,621

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$44,999,621

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Miller-Milkis Productions, Shelburne Associates

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Movielab)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1