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What a stellar cast, and what a hilarious take on the classic “Whodunnit”! I just wish I knew they were all playing versions of existing fictional detectives, I only learned that after the fact! Was still a blast regardless, so many jokes and so much fun! Reaction highlights Wednesday March 18th. 🖤

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MURDER BY DEATH (1976) - Full Watch Along

Murder by Death is a 1976 American comedy mystery film directed by Robert Moore and written by Neil Simon. The film stars Eileen Brennan, Truman Capote, James Coco, Peter Falk, Alec Guinness, Elsa Lanchester, David Niven, Peter Sellers, Maggie Smith, Nancy Walker, and Estelle Winwood. The plot is a broad parody or spoof of the traditional country-house whodunit, familiar to mystery fiction fans of classics such as Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. The cast is an ensemble of British and American actors playing send-ups of well-known fictional sleuths, including Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, Charlie Chan, Nick and Nora Charles, and Sam Spade. It also features a rare acting performance by author Truman Capote.

Comments

Dave Beth

This was so good! All the characters were parodies of famous literary detectives. Sam Diamond was Sam Spade (Maltese Falcon). Falk didn't do a particularly great Bogart impression, but the character was still hilarious. Also, the "cook" was Rosie, the Bounty lady from the old commercials back in the 70s and 80s!

Terry In the UK

As a lifelong Columbo fan, I've seen this multiple times and Peter Falk is as fabulous in this as he is as the cigar smoking, raincoat wearing lieutenant.... Add a stellar cast including Peter Sellers, Alec Guinness, David Niven and this movie is wonderfully hilarious.. so so funny and an impeccable choice Coby.

Mark Knight

I’m not familiar with this one Coby, so I’m looking forward to watching it. I see that Peter Falk is in this. I think I’ve heard you mention Colombo, is that something you’d consider do a reaction to, or is that something you’ve already seen?

Nick Christensen

Heh, this was like the 2nd or 3rd movie I suggested but I backed off after thinking about how some might react to Wang even though it was making fun of white actors playing Asians I figured it might still be hard for some to enjoy.

John A

Love this movie, I have always felt that it has not received the love it needs. Peter Sellers and David Niven, team up in The Pink Panther" (1963) must watch. Yes Alec Guinness is Obi-Wan you guess by his voice, good job Coby Also you are correct Eileen Brennan (Tess Skeffington was also in Clue (1985) as Mrs. Peacock

John A

Yes Palk was making fun of Sam Spade, but not very good hahaha

Gardner von Holt

Dick and Dora Charleston (David Niven, Maggie Smith) were parodies of Nick and Nora Charles from "The Thin Man", and their dog was "Asta", Sidney Wang (Peter Selers) was "Charlie Chan", Milo Perrier (James Coco) was Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, Sam Diamond was Bogart's character Sam Spade in Dashiell Hammett 's The Maltese Falcon, and Jessica Marbles (Elsa Lanchester) was Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. "The Thin Man" is a hoot, at least the first 3 in the series, Poirot is a long standing British series starring David Suchet, went on for 70 episodes over 13 seasons. Charlie Chan's series of 20 or so movies is, well, a product of the time (1930s-1940s). Hard to watch due to some stereotypes that just ruin it for me. The Maltese Falcon is a must see. Miss Marple is another British series as well two versions - the BBC one was more true to the novels, the ITV one had a cast change midway, and suffered from having the character added to other novels. Of the two Agatha Christie series, my tastes go to David Suchet's Poirot.

Stephen Wadsworth

Yes, it's Obi Wan! Who (Alec Guinness) was a mentor to Peter Sellers, in Sellers' early film career in England.

Dave Beth

Fun fact about this movie, there is a deleted scene (which appeared on the Television broadcast version) where as everyone is leaving, Wang is stopped by an approaching car asking for directions to Twain's house. The passenger wears a deerstalker and has a curved pipe (and is clearly Sherlock Holmes). Wang gives him directions and his adopted Japanese son asks why he didn't warn him. Wang responds "Let idiots find out for themselves."

zynjams

one of my favorite lines, Agatha Christy adds a character at the end of the book as the murderer. its true, very irritating

Paul Hildebrand

I was wondering if you'd recognize Obi Wan Kenobi, and I am happy you did (with great reaction)! This came out the year before the original Star Wars.