MASTERPIECE OF MURDER
US, 1986, 100 minutes, Colour.
Bob Hope, Don Ameche, Jayne Meadows, Yvonne de Carlo, Anne Lloyd Francis, Frank Gorshin, Kevin Mc Carthy, Clive Revill, Stella Stevens, Jamie Farr.
Directed by Charles S.Dubin.
Masterpiece of Murder is very much like an Agatha Christie story in an American setting. The film was also like a pilot for a television series - but perhaps because the stars were so elderly, a series was impossible.
The film is a mid-'80s star vehicle for Bob Hope and Don Ameche. Bob Hope, over 80, nevertheless is able to carry his wisecracks and his legendary presence on screen. He is a down-and-out private investigator. Don Ameche is able to carry the wisecracks as well as Hope and is excellent as a dapper ex-cat burglar who has made good. Together they are invited to a party by Kevin Mc Carthy - with a great array of guests including such stars as Stella Stevens, Anne Francis, Clive Revill, Frank Gorshin. The host is murdered and there is an investigation by the odd couple as well as by the police (Steven Keats).
The film has a convoluted plot, but the villains are exposed at the end with the help of Bob and Don. A pleasant entertainment - and a reminder of the skills of the stars.
1.Enjoyable American murder mystery? Puzzle and clues? solution?
2.Los Angeles backgrounds, the wealthy homes of the Los Angeles hills? Atmosphere of affluence? Musical score? Special effects and stunts?
3.The title, the background of art and forgeries, wealth, the murder mystery?
4.The introduction to Danny - down and out, needing money, his bets, his work and career? The contrast with Frank, his affluence and business success? The newspaper and seeing them together? The build-up to their interaction?
5.Jonathan and the invitation to the party, his plan for the stealing of the Gainsborough? His enjoying the sparring between the two? His relationship to his niece, getting the paintings? His neighbour? His mistress and the chauffeur? His ex-wife? The art dealers? The gossip columnists? His being murdered?
6.Danny and Frank, their meeting, clashing? The wisecracks? Their working together, taking the painting, hiding it? The interaction with Deborah? The disappearance of the painting? The murders, the police, their helping with the investigations? The second murder? The car chases, the thugs? The crash over the cliff? The realisation of the truth, getting into the art room? The catching of the criminals? The ironic friendship? The talents of the stars?
7.The range of suspects - and their predictable situations and attitudes? Lola and Bronson, their affair, wanting the money, their rejection? Matilda and her photographer, the gossip? Ruth and her husband, his pushing of drugs, collapse of the career? Victor and his dealings with the paintings? Rudin and his rivalry with Jonathan? The world of art dealing, the forger, the selling of the forgeries? Stealing from one another? Money deals?
8.Della/Deborah and her charm, her watching the two, the taking of the painting, her being unmasked as the villain?
9.Julia, pleasant, the portraits, her father's reputation, her trying to cover it, her restoring the paintings at the end?
10.Paperback plot, enjoyable characters, the puzzle, the clues - the solution of the mystery? And the good humour of the stars as a bonus?
