Review of Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982) by Matt T — 02 Feb 2011
If ever a film was invented for Matt the Hat's viewing pleasure then this would be it. Lets start with the 'cast': Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, Ray Milland, Joan Crawford, Kirk Douglas, Ava Gardner, James Cagney, Barbara Stanwyck, Burt Lancaster, Lana Turner, Fred MacMurry, Alan Ladd, Ingrid Bergman, Charles Laughton, Veronica Lake, Vincent Price and Cary Grant. So many stars! All in the same film! How can this be?
Well here's the set up - director Carl Reiner incorporates vintage clips from the 1940's era of Film Noir and inserts them in a storyline which involves Steve Martin as a private detective investigating a murder case. Shot in black and white to mirror the older films the editing is seamless in it's execution, courtesy of Bob Molin. The humour is affectionate as the film works both as a parody and homage of Film Noir. The genius of the enterprise is the setting up of each scene leading up the old clips used. In certain scenes there are reverse shots of extras seen from behind made up to look like the big stars. This helps the film run smoothly even though we are in no doubt that extras are used. This is part of the good natured humour.
To add authenticity Edith Head, the famous cotume designer is called upon in what would be her last film. Also Miklos Rozsa another Hollywood veteran, composes the overly dramatic but perfectly pitched score.
Much fun is to be had from spotting the actors and trying to identify the original films. All is revealed at the end credits. As Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid is pretty much a one joke film it's probably more of a clever-funny comedy rather than a laugh-out-loud kind of comedy but there are plenty of those moments too and the film never outstays it's 84 minutes. The climax is amusing but suffers in comparison because it concentrates on the storyline and doesn't include any vintage clips.
Because DMDWP relies on the audience's knowledge of classic era Hollywood I wonder how a younger audience, unfamiliar with the famous 'cast' would enjoy this.
If the film had never been made then I would have came up with the idea myself (please indulge me) for I live in a black and white world and see Bogie, Ladd, Stanwyck et al constantly around me. I AM the laconic private eye. I AM the man who wears plaid. I AM the man who probably needs to stay away from films for a while...
This review of Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982) was written by Matt T on 02 Feb 2011.
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid has generally received positive reviews.
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