The Alphabet Murders
- 1965
- 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
Hercule Poirot investigates a series of murders in London in which the victims are killed according to their initials.Hercule Poirot investigates a series of murders in London in which the victims are killed according to their initials.Hercule Poirot investigates a series of murders in London in which the victims are killed according to their initials.
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- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe official screenwriters of this movie, David Pursall and Jack Seddon, were greatly annoyed by the extensive re-writing of their script by Director Frank Tashlin and Robert Morley. Tashlin also encouraged Morley and Tony Randall to ad-lib lines and business.
- GoofsFor the swimming pool murder, when the dart is fired, the view is from behind the murderer and one can plainly see the gun is aimed below and to the right of the victim. Then in the close-up of the victim, the dart is positioned on the left side of his neck as if it had been fired from his left, not mainly from his front. In any case, it is a very unlikely shot with a dart pistol from such a long range.
- Quotes
Hastings: Where have you been? What have you been doing?
Hercule Poirot: Arranging a little extra insurance my friend.
Hastings: Oh really? Personally I always feel perfectly safe with British railways. Mind you its very different in France, isn't it?
Hercule Poirot: I wouldn't know. I am not French, I am Belgian.
Hastings: Well it's the same thing, you both eat horsemeat.
- Crazy creditsTony Randall emerges from Borehamwood Studios' Stage 4 to introduce the film and acknowledge his own starring credit, first as himself and then in full Poirot make-up and character.
- ConnectionsReferenced in What's My Line?: Jill St. John (1965)
Featured review
Clearing up some errant comments
I believe that some commentators here are a tad off base with their assumptions.
The MGM production team for The Alphabet Murders was the same as for Margaret Rutherford's Miss Marple Series, which is why she and Stringer David had cameos. Therefore, it is highly doubtful that this was director Frank Tashlin's idea as some said.
Numerous posters here said that the slapstick comedy in this film was directly inspired by Peter Sellers' Inspector Clouseau. Doubtful. Sellers' Pink Panther slapstick is far broader and much more plentiful. If anything ABC's slapstick is derived from Tashlin's Bugs Bunny & Jerry Lewis days but equally from Randall himself. For my money the slapstick here is uninspired and falls flat - it's completely unnecessary.
Producer Lawrence Bachman, the screen writing team of David Pursall & Jack Seddon, cinematographer Desmond Dickinson, art director William Andrews, assistant director David Tomblin and composer Ron Goodwin (unmistakable stylist) all carried on from MGM's Marple films. More than anything this is your connection and inspiration.
Aside from some totally unnecessary slapstick, The Alphabet Murders is a light fun mystery. If you like the Marple series, you'll probably like this.
The MGM production team for The Alphabet Murders was the same as for Margaret Rutherford's Miss Marple Series, which is why she and Stringer David had cameos. Therefore, it is highly doubtful that this was director Frank Tashlin's idea as some said.
Numerous posters here said that the slapstick comedy in this film was directly inspired by Peter Sellers' Inspector Clouseau. Doubtful. Sellers' Pink Panther slapstick is far broader and much more plentiful. If anything ABC's slapstick is derived from Tashlin's Bugs Bunny & Jerry Lewis days but equally from Randall himself. For my money the slapstick here is uninspired and falls flat - it's completely unnecessary.
Producer Lawrence Bachman, the screen writing team of David Pursall & Jack Seddon, cinematographer Desmond Dickinson, art director William Andrews, assistant director David Tomblin and composer Ron Goodwin (unmistakable stylist) all carried on from MGM's Marple films. More than anything this is your connection and inspiration.
Aside from some totally unnecessary slapstick, The Alphabet Murders is a light fun mystery. If you like the Marple series, you'll probably like this.
helpful•284
- estabansmythe
- Mar 13, 2009
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Amanda
- Filming locations
- 14 Savile Row, Mayfair, Westminster, Greater London, England, UK(Poirot enters tailor's shop at beginning of film)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
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