When it occurred to me there are plenty of comedy films in the “Crime” genre, but that is not what I was really going for. I wanted films based around the detectives not the criminals. Alec Guinness alone has some of the best films in “The Lady Killers”, “The Lavender Hill Mob”, and “Kind Hearts and Coronets”.

Then it stuck me, the first two films had come easily. They a films of genius that you may not have heard of (though I hope you will see). The last is a collection of film that screams so obviously that it is in this group, and sets the standard not just of this group of film, but of comedy itself.

Murder By Death

"There is a bullit hole in your suit".. "Oh.. that's nothing, you should see the other guy!"

Simply put one of the best comedy films there is. The only problem is almost no one heard of it.

Just looking at the cast list you can be in no doubt as to the quality of the film. Peter Sellers, Alec Guinness, the great Maggie Smith, the fantastic Eileen Brennan, the astounding Peter Falk, and my favorite David Niven. This is the sort of cast you can only dream of, not only wonderfully skilled but also incredibly funny.

The world greatest detectives have all been called to a house in the woods by a criminal mastermind (Trueman Capote) to solve an impossible murder. If they can not solve it, he will be able to declare himself the victor, and they will have the shame of being unable to solve all of their cases.

The real joy of the film is its surreal nature. Maggie Smith and Eileen Brennan being the partners of the detectives have great side parts, with wonderful lines supporting their more famous counterparts.

Interesting Note: The title sequence is composed of stretches of the characters. All drawn by Charles Addams, most famous for creating “The Addams Family”.

Clue

If there is one film better than “Murder By Death” it has to be “Clue”. I am not sure I can tell you how many times I have seen this film, when ever I want a good laugh this is the film I reach for. There is no way you can beat Tim Curry at his scene chewing best. But add Madeline Khan, Lesley Ann Warren, Eileen Brennan (again), Christopher Lloyd, Martin Mull, Michael McKean, and the always under appreciated Colleen Camp (I can tell you the cast from memory.. seen it a little too much perhaps). With such an ensemble cast you were always going to make an amazing film, but this film is just on an entirely different level.

But its the multiple endings and the superb one-liners that make this just a joy to watch. Of all there films I have here, this one is the best. The others are great, but nothing in comparison.

The Pink Panther
Specifically: The Pink Panther Strikes Again

Peter Sellers is back again, and why not. He is a master of comedy, and this sort of comedy requires genius to make it work. I enjoy almost all of the Pink Panther films, they all have something very special. Peter Sellers at his best, David Niven again just being David Niven as The Phantom.

But the one character who I always thought was not given enough time to really shine was Herbert Lom’s Inspecter Dreyfus. The fifth film “The Pink Panther Strikes Again” finally gave him the chance to shine. After years of having to look after the incompetent inspector he has cracked and you have already seen him in the mental asylum. He escapes and is convinced the only thing that will make him sane again is to kill Clouseau. Of course no matter how hard he tries he just can’t do it, Clouseau somehow always manages to survive. So Dreyfus kidnaps a scientist and has him build a dooms day device (“a giant fricking laser” no less). With this power to destroy the world he has only one simple demand.. he want Clouseau dead.. that is all he wants. So the best assissins from around the world are sent to kill him, and you will have to watch it to find out what happens next.

All of the Pink Panther films have their moments, but this is the best one in my opinion.

The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu

This one is a little silly, and if I am honest its not the greatest of films. But it is Peter Sellers last ever film, and it has its moments.

The plot is quiet simple, Fu Manchu has his elixir of life destroyed, and has to plan a series of daring robberies to get the ingedients he needs to make a new one. Only one man can stop him, Fu Manchu’s nemisis Dennis Nayland Smith (Sellers again).

Mastermind

I will admit this film is not for everyone. Staring Zero Mostel as Inspector Hoku on the trail of robot thiefs.

This film is very much an American take on Japanese stereotypes, leading to some bizarre situations. But I enjoy Zero’s performance here, and his dream sequences set in feudal Japan are fun.

Is there something glaring I have missed?