I recently finished watching Feud Season two, which is focused on the life of Truman Capote and his “Swans”, socialite women who Truman betrayed by publishing a fictionalized tell-all in Esquire. In one scene the docudrama recreates the set and a scene from the comedy Murder by Death, which starred Capote along with an all-star cast. It prompted me to revisit the film, and it was worth the rewatch.
Murder by Death is a deftly crafted spoof that targets the iconic figures of detective fiction. The ensemble is a who’s who of mystery literature: Peter Falk’s Sam Diamond is a nod to Sam Spade; David Niven and Maggie Smith as Dick and Dora Charleston riff on Nick and Nora Charles; James Coco’s Milo Perrier humorously caricatures Hercule Poirot; Elsa Lanchester’s Jessica Marbles injects a dash of Miss Marple, and Peter Sellers as Sidney Wang offers a playful, though now controversial, take on Charlie Chan.
The plot itself is as convoluted as it is comedic. Eccentric millionaire Lionel Twain, played by Truman Capote in a rare acting role, invites these famous detectives to his bizarre mansion to solve a murder that will take place at midnight. Capote’s performance is singularly memorable—not so much for classical acting prowess but for his distinct, somewhat aloof on-screen presence that adds an extra layer of oddity to the film. His character orchestrates the evening’s chaos with a blend of cryptic clues and snide remarks, steering the narrative through a maze of red herrings and comic misunderstandings.
The story revels in its absurdity, with each detective trying to outwit the others and solve the impending crime, leading to a series of mishaps and revelations that play on the detectives’ well-known traits and flaws. The result is a riotous journey through detective clichés and literary homage, culminating in a twist ending that satirizes the sometimes illogical resolutions of classic detective stories. This film not only provides laughs but also a clever critique of the mystery genre, making it a must-watch for both aficionados and newcomers alike.
However, even after seeing it multiple times, I still don’t understand the ending. But that’s not the point – it’s Neil Simon having great fun with some of his favorite characters.