Murder By Death Movie

MOVIE SNEAK PEEK: A new take on 'The Raven' set to fly in 2012

Given my love of mysteries and horror, it’s probably no surprise to anyone that I’m a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe. On my own, I began reading his poems and stories around middle-school age. I studied his writings throughout high school and even wrote a paper about his use of the metaphysical in his stories. A complete volume of his works sits prominently on my bookshelf. I also have pictures of me posing next to his gravesite in Baltimore. The man just utterly fascinates me. I’m a little concerned that Poe will die at the end of the movie, since the synopsis specifies the story takes place in the final days of his life. Such an ending would be depressing, not to mention a bit too similar to 2001’s “From Hell,” starring Johnny Depp as the opium-smoking inspector hot on the trail of Jack the Ripper. But if the movie does end with Poe’s death, at least it won’t come as a surprise. The screenplay was written by Ben Livingston and Hannah Shakespeare. “The Raven” is the writing debut for Livingston, though he has appeared on many TV shows including “7th Heaven,” “Star Trek: Voyager,” “Freaks and Geeks,” “ER,” “Ally McBeal,” “JAG,” “Without a Trace,” “The Good Wife” and “Boardwalk Empire.” Given my love of mysteries and horror, it’s probably no surprise to anyone that I’m a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe. On my own, I began reading his poems and stories around middle-school age. I studied his writings throughout high school and even wrote a paper about his use of the metaphysical in his stories. A complete volume of his works sits prominently on my bookshelf. I also have pictures of me posing next to his gravesite in Baltimore. The man just utterly fascinates me. I’m a little concerned that Poe will die at the end of the movie, since the synopsis specifies the story takes place in the final days of his life. Such an ending would be depressing, not to mention a bit too similar to 2001’s “From Hell,” starring Johnny Depp as the opium-smoking inspector hot on the trail of Jack the Ripper. But if the movie does end with Poe’s death, at least it won’t come as a surprise. The screenplay was written by Ben Livingston and Hannah Shakespeare.

The Ladies in Waiting Book Club: Mystery Movie: Murder By Death

Murder by Death is probably the most appreciated by fans of classic detective stories. The characters are: Inspector Sidney Wang (Peter Sellers) is supposed to be Charlie Chang. Dick and Dora Charleston (David Niven and Maggie Smith) are Nick and Nora Charles of The Thin Man series I have already shared. They take quips Charles and risks of the other additional steps. Milo Perrier (James Coco) who plays the character always hungry Christie, Hercule Poirot. Sam Diamond (Peter Falk) who plays the surly, sexist, Bogart's character Sam Spade.Jessica Marbles (Elsa Lanchester) is the apparently simple creation Christie, Miss Marple.

The classic typefaces appropriate, others include the butler, played by Alec Guinness (who is blind), and the Maid, played by Nancy Walker (who is deaf and dumb), and of course the man who invites all to dinner at his spooky mansion: Lionel Twain played by the master writer Truman Capote with his falsetto female distinctly creepy.

The mystery itself is less interesting than just watching the characters interact and play out of their previously established roles and stereotypes. By the end, they are each "calling" each other on the random or contrived methods of deduction and for anyone familiar with the characters, this is a hoot! The way the main detectives treat their sidekicks is hilarious too.

I hope that, especially after reading your mystery story this month, you can pick up this movie for a view.

I love watching it time and again. And my favorite part is that you really don't need to pay attention to the details because pretty much everything is a red herring. :) So sit back, relax, and...

Enjoy!

Just watched Murder by Death. Strange, but fun, movie!

@ Also: is it wrong that I wish Maggie Smith and David Niven had done a straight Thin Man movie after Murder by Death?

Murder by Death = great movie. I giggled.

Just got done watching MST3K the movie and now watching murder by death a every funny movie

09 - Holy Lord, Shawshank Redemption Is Such A Good Movie by Murder By Death from the album Like The Exorcist But More Breakdancing

Texas Monthly

The movie's fatal flaw is Simon's relentless quest for the one-liner; Murder by Death has no movement, no energy. It's like being locked into the back room ...

Screen World Presents the Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the silent era to 1965

The show helped revitalize his movie career as well. For Neil Simon he did a funny send-up of Bogart in the all-star spoof Murder by Death, then played a ...

Neil Simon's Murder by death, a bloody funny movie

Comedy-horror films, a chronological history, 1914-2008

Murder by Death never makes a great deal of sense, especially toward the end when the ... But it's Twain who sums up the movie when all is said and done, ...

Leonard Maltin's 2009 Movie Guide

Intriguing little film about a hired killer and what makes him tick; ultimately sabotaged by pretentious dialogue and posturing. Murder by Death (1976) ...