Murder by Death is a movie directed by Robert Moore and written by Neil Simon that was released in 1976. It is a parody of Whodunit and mystery films that stars numerous award-winning actors, including Peter Falk, Alec Guinness, Eileen Brennan, David Niven, Peter Sellers, Maggie Smith, and noted author Truman Capote in his only significant role as an actor.

All the major characters were spoofs on famous detectives from novels and films. Milo Perrier was inspired by Hercule Poirot; Dick and Dora Charleston came from Nick and Nora Charles of The Thin Man series; Sidney Wang was based upon Charlie Chan; Miss Jessica Marbles was inspired by Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and Sam Diamond was a knockoff of The Maltese Falcon's Sam Spade.

External links

• Murder by Death's entry at the IMDB (http://imdb.com/title/tt0074937/)

An independent rock band is also named after the movie. They have two albums out on eyeball records; Like the Exorcist but More Break Dancing and Who Will Survive and What Will be Left of Them?. Discovered by the lead singer of The band Band Thursday, he also features discreetly on the second song, Kilklbot 2000, of the latter album. They are currently at work on their third album.