murder by death

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."

the great muppet caper

the year: 1981

the genre: comedy


the cast: Kermit the Frog; Miss Piggy, Fozzie the Bear; Gonzo; Diana Rigg (Lady Holiday); Charles Grodin (Nicky Holiday); John Cleese (Neville); Peter Ustinov (Truck Driver); Peter Falk (Bum in the Park)


the plot: Kermit and Fozzie are newspaper reporters sent to London to interview Lady Holiday, a wealthy fashion designer whose priceless diamond necklace is stolen. Kermit meets and falls in love with her secretary, Miss Piggy. The jewel thieves strike again, and this time frame Miss Piggy. It's up to Kermit and Muppets to bring the real culprits to justice.




watch for: how Fozzie takes his champagne.


extra bonus points: if you would consider staying at the Happiness Hotel.




did you know: Gonzo's classification as a "whatever" is officially cemented in this film, as this is the label affixed to his shipping crate en route to Great Britain.



listen for: my favorite line, a la Janice: "Look, Mother. It's my life. OK. So if I want to live on a beach and walk around naked... Oh."



don't miss: John Cleese as Neville.



my favorite scene: (I dare you not to nod your head back and forth while you watch..)

the princess bride

the year: 1987

the genre: fantasy



the cast: Robin Wright (Buttercup); Cary Elwes (Westley); Mandy Patinkin (Inigo Montoya); Chris Sarandon (Prince Humperdinck); Christopher Guest (Count Tyrone Rugen); Andre the Giant (Fezzik); Fred Savage (the grandson); Peter Falk (the grandfather / Narrator); Billy Crystal (Miracle Max)


the plot: Scaling the Cliffs of Insanity, battling Rodents of Unusual Size, facing torture in the Pit of Despair - true love has never been a snap.


don't miss: the ROUS pull the headpiece back on and straighten it after Westley punches him in the head.


did you know: Mark Knopfler agreed to write the music for this movie on the condition that Rob Reiner put the hat that he wore in This Is Spinal Tap in the movie. The hat appears in The Grandson's bedroom.


did you also know: director Rob Reiner left the set during Billy Crystal's scenes because he would laugh so hard that he would feel nauseated.


listen for: oh, who am I kidding. You've probably got the whole thing memorized.


extra bonus points: if you know what Florin and Guilder are - besides the two rival kingdoms in the movie.


check out: the changing size of the grandson's PB&J sandwich throughout the film.

And can I just say that I love that this character's name is The Impressive Clergyman?

the great race

the year: 1965

the genre: comedy

the cast: Tony Curtis (The Great Leslie); Jack Lemmon (Professor Fate); Natalie Wood (Maggie Dubois); Peter Falk (Max); Keenan Wynn (Hezekiah)




the plot: In 1908 in New York City, the villainous Professor Fate challenges The Great Leslie to a New York-to-Paris automobile race. Fate and his assistant Max enter their black Hannibal 8 against the white Leslie Special.


count: the number of times Professor Fate says, "Push the button, Max!"

don't miss: the best pie fight EVER.



check out: Maggie's fabulous hats

listen for: “Oh, of course I'll keep it to myself. Until the water reaches my lower lip, and then I'm going to mention it to *somebody*!”