Five famous literary detective characters and their sidekicks are invited to a bizarre mansion to solve an even stranger mystery.Five famous literary detective characters and their sidekicks are invited to a bizarre mansion to solve an even stranger mystery.Five famous literary detective characters and their sidekicks are invited to a bizarre mansion to solve an even stranger mystery.
- Awards
- 3 nominations
- Myron the Dog
- (uncredited)
- Screaming Door Bell
- (archive sound)
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe screaming woman sound used as a doorbell is Fay Wray's screams from King Kong (1933). Her unique scream has made her known as the "Scream Queen" of movies.
- Goofs(at around 1h 14 mins) Milo Perrier tells Sam Diamond, "I'm not a Frenchy... I'm a Belgie," referring to the fact he is from Belgium and not France. However, in discussing Twain's annual poodle hunt in France, he implies that's his home country, and later he says, referring to himself, that you should "never underestimate a Frenchman's nostrils."
- Quotes
Dora Charleston: Thank you. You are?
Jamesir Bensonmum: Bensonmum.
Dora Charleston: Thank you, Benson.
Jamesir Bensonmum: No, no, no, no, no... Bensonmum. My name is Bensonmum.
Dick Charleston: Bensonmum?
Jamesir Bensonmum: Yes, sir. Jamesir Bensonmum.
Dick Charleston: Jamesir?
Jamesir Bensonmum: Yes, sir.
Dick Charleston: Jamesir Bensonmum?
Jamesir Bensonmum: Yes, sir.
Dick Charleston: How odd.
Jamesir Bensonmum: My father's name, sir.
Dick Charleston: What was your father's name?
Jamesir Bensonmum: Howard. Howard Bensonmum.
Dick Charleston: Your father was Howard Bensonmum?
Dora Charleston: Leave it be, Dickie. I've had enough.
- Crazy creditsOpening credits: Starring (In Diabolical Order)
- Alternate versionsThe original ABC Network broadcast of the film contained four additional scenes not found in the theatrical or DVD version. 1. Jessica Marbles' taxi driver (played by Peter Sellers) requests a large fare. 2. Dick and Dora Charleston narrowly avoid running over Tess Skeffington, who is walking back to Sam Diamond's car from a service station because she and Sam ran out of gas. Satisfied that Tess is all right, the Charlestons simply drive off, leaving her there. 3. When Willie Wang covers up the body of Twain, he finds a note in Twain's hand and smugly announces this to the others. 4. As the detectives drive away from Twain's house at the end of the film, Inspector Wang and Willie pass another car carrying Sherlock Holmes (Keith McConnell) and Dr. Watson (Richard Peel) heading towards the Twain home. When Willie asks his father "Why didn't you warn them?" Wang replies "Let idiots find out for themselves."
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 52nd Annual Academy Awards (1980)
David Niven is one of my favorite performers, and he is in his element here. He was "to the manor born" and brought class to every part he played, yet could say "Is someone in the kitchen with Dinner?" smoothly, with no hint of a smile. The fact that none of the actors is a comedian (except Peter Sellers) makes it all the funnier. Each character is understated and all the better for it.
Truman Capote often referred to what he considered his poor acting in this film, and publically apologized for previously denigrating the acting profession. Personally, I thought he was perfect for the overall feel of the movie. Since nothing fit, he was excellent. After all, how does one make sense of continuingly falling gargoyles, a wife who "choked herself to death", and the avoiding of decapitation by "being extremely well bred"?
This is a wonderful movie anyone can enjoy.
- How long is Murder by Death?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Crimen por muerte
- Filming locations
- Oakley Court, Windsor Road, Oakley Green, Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK(Twain Mansion exterior)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $38,200