Editorial Review:

Product Description:
Movie DVD

Amazon.com:
Neil Simon wrote this 1976 spoof in which virtually every famous fictional detective of the 1930s and 1940s congregate at the home of a mysterious fellow (Truman Capote) to try and solve the mystery of who's trying to kill them all. Simon's jokes are mostly obvious, and the film's real appeal is the clever concept matched with fine--sometimes legendary--actors. Peter Falk plays a very Bogart-like Sam Spade equivalent, James Coco is a Hercule Poirot wannabe, Peter Sellers does a Charlie Chan bit, David Niven and Maggie Smith are reflections of Nick and Nora.... You get the picture. Lighthearted and silly, this is cotton-candy comedy for the cast as well as viewers. --Tom Keogh

I'd just like to say that I was very pleased with my order, it was in good condition (new as stated) and was glad that it came quicker than the estimated time arrival. Thank you! I used to see this movie with my little brother when we were younger and was surpised it was on DVD, it took me back in time.
-Maria-

Average Rating:

Rating: - Happy with what I got!
I'd just like to say that I was very pleased with my order, it was in good condition (new as stated) and was glad that it came quicker than the estimated time arrival. Thank you! I used to see this movie with my little brother when we were younger and was surpised it was on DVD, it took me back in time.
-Maria-

Rating: - Have always loved this movie!
This movie has always been one of my favorites, ever since years ago my younger sister and I came across it late one night on TV when we were in high school and watched it. We both thought this bizarre, clever little movie was just awesome, and each time you watch it, you catch things you might not have caught the first time.

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Rating: - a bit disappointing but still worth a look
I bought this film because I already had THE CHEAP DETECTIVE and since both were written by Neil Simon and had good actors like Peter Falk, Eileen Brennan, David Niven, Maggie Smith, Peter Sellers, Alec Guinness, etc, I thought it would be as good as CHEAP DETECTIVE, maybe even better. But MURDER BY DEATH is a bit disappointing despite the great cast. Truman Capote wasn't particularly impressive as an actor, one can only hope this was his single acting role. Still MURDER BY DEATH is worth a look and for fans who haven't seen THE CHEAP DETECTIVE, it might be satisfying. I recommend watching MURDER BY DEATH first because it plays a bit like a dress rehearsal for the other film even though only a few of the same actors appear in both.

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Rating: - One very funny movie
Very funny cast in a well written film. If you enjoy comedy this is your movie.

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Rating: - Jessica Marbles: "Yes dear, we're going to have a lovely murderpoo."
In Neil Simon's classic mid-70s farce MURDER BY DEATH, five detectives (based on such fictional characters as Sam Spade and Hercule Poirot) and their sidekicks are invited to an atmospheric mansion for dinner and an opportunity to solve a murder that will occur at exactly midnight. People, and even the house itself are not what they appear to be: false identities, trick rooms and hidden passages add to the challenge.

An all-star cast, Robert Moore's direction and one of Simon's wittiest scripts make this who-dun-it a delight throughout. (TRIVIA: The screaming doorbell is Fay Wray from the 1933 RKO feature, KING KONG.)


Also recommended:
Peter Falk reprised his Bogie imitation (as Lou Peckinpaugh) in THE CHEAP DETECTIVE (1978), also from the talented team of Moore and Simon.


Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film resource website.

(7.3) Murder By Death (1976) - Eileen Brennan/Truman Capote/James Coco/Peter Falk/Alec Guinness/Elsa Lanchester/David Niven/Peter Sellers/Maggie Smith/Nancy Walker/Estelle Winwood/James Cromwell/Richard Narita

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Related Items:

The Cheap Detective

Clue

Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express

Without a Clue

And Then There Were None