Synopsis
Lionel Twain invites the world's five greatest detectives to a 'dinner and murder'. Included are a blind butler, a deaf-mute maid, screams, spinning rooms, secret passages, false identities and more plot turns and twists than are decently allowed.
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Cast
- Truman CapoteLionel Twain
- Alec GuinnessBensonmum
- Peter SellersSidney Wang
- David NivenDick Charleston
- Maggie SmithDora Charleston
- James CocoMilo Perrier
- Peter FalkSam Diamond
- Eileen BrennanTess Skeffington
- Elsa LanchesterJessica Marbles
- Estelle WinwoodNurse
Recommendations
- 80
The New York Times
Murder by Death is as light and insubstantial as one could wish. - 80
Empire
This Neil Simon-scripted pastiche of an array of much-loved detective characters is surprisingly charming. - 80
Variety
A very good silly-funny Neil Simon satirical comedy, with a super all-star cast. - 75
TV Guide Magazine
This spoof of the great fictional-film detectives offers consistently funny scenes sparked by Falk, Niven, Sellers, and Guinness. - 70
Newsweek
Robert Moore, who has directed for the stage and television (Rhoda), in his feature-film debut has shown the good sense to give free rein to the inspired zaniness of his cleverest players. [04 July 1978, p.101] - 63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
A drawing-room murder mystery that had some extremely funny moments. [24 June 1978] - 60
Time Out
Murder by Death is entertaining enough, even though the joke wears a little thin. - 30
Chicago Reader
Even Neil Simon fans (and they do exist, believe it or not) will probably be bummed out by this stunningly unfunny 1976 parody of detective films.
