the year: 1976
the genre: comedy
the cast: Eileen Brennan (Tess Skeffington); Truman Capote (Lionel Twain); James Coco (Milo Perrier); Peter Falk (Sam Diamond); Alec Guinness (Bensonmum); Elsa Lanchester (Jessica Marbles); David Niven (Dick Charleston); Peter Sellers (Sidney Wang); Maggie Smith (Dora Charleston); Nancy Walker (the Maid); Estelle Winwood (Nurse Withers); James Cromwell (Marcel); Richard Narita (Willie Wang)
the plot: Millionnaire Lionel Twain invites the five most brilliant private eyes to a dinner - and a murder. Exactly at midnight, a murder is set to take place, and Mr. Twain offers a million dollars to the one who can solve the murder. Will the most brilliant minds of our time be able to see through the elaborate set-up staged by a criminal mastermind?
listen for: "Oh, there. Voice come from cow on wall..." "Moose! MOOSE, you imbecile!"
did you know: the screaming doorbell uses Fay Wray's screams from King Kong.
extra bonus points: if you can name all the "real" fictional detectives that this movie spoofs.
don't miss: two of my favorite scenes here.
also listen for: "I don't hear nothin'. What do you hear?" "Double negative, and dog."
Nick and Nora Charles, Sam Spade, Charlie Chan....
ReplyDeleteAnd???
ReplyDeletei saw this before i knew who nick and nora were. it's a lot funnier now. :)
ReplyDeleteAdding onto Erika's list, there's also a parody of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple--Agatha Christie's Juggernauts o' Justice
ReplyDeleteAnd may I just say it's a shame most people only know Sir Alec Guinness as Obi Wan Kenobi because he played some much more interesting characters.
Correct!
ReplyDeleteI have to say that the butler, Bensonmum, is without parallel. I especially like tasting the soup. :)
ReplyDelete