Murder by Death (1976)

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Five of the greatest detectives in the world -- Dick Charleston (David Niven), Milo Perrier (James Coco), Sidney Wang (Peter Sellers), Jessica Marbles (Elsa Lanchester) and Sam Diamond (Peter Falk), respectively parodying of The Thin Man, Poirot, Charlie Chan, Miss Marple and any number of Bogart characters -- gather in the home of Lionel Twain (Truman Capote) for dinner and a murder.

I've never seen a Neil Simon script I liked, but this one comes close. The interaction of the characters is marvellous, and Alec Guinness's blind butler provides a number of excellent routines. (You are? Benson, ma'am. Thank you Benson. No, no, no. Bensonmum. My name is Bensonmum. Bensonmum? Yes sir, Jamesir Bensonmum. Jamesir? Yes sir.)

Altogether less enjoyable are Truman Capote, who cannot act and does not fit, and the absurd five-twists-in-a-row ending. Still, great fun for mystery fans.

- Sam - 2010-08-24 00:12:46