Something's Afoot (1982 TV Movie) User Reviews

A Fun, and Sadly Forgotten Made-for-TV movie

[requiem1896 · 9/10 · 29 July 2004]

This is one of those Made-For-TV's that simply touched the hearts of American audiences when it was released back in 1984. I fondly remember this from my youth and highly recommend watching it if you can find a copy somewhere.

Jean Stapleton, Andy Gibb, and Don McManus give strong performances.

For those that don't remember, this is a classic little murder mystery put to song. The main story concept is that the main characters all meet for a will reading during which the guests find out they are directly or indirectly in line to inherit.

The fun and singing grows as guest after guest [and servants too] slowly start dying.

M.I.A... where's the DVD or Tape???

[PsychaDurmont · 10/10 · 27 July 2004]

I saw this on some cable channel many years ago. This is one of the funniest plays I have seen. Since then I have paid to see it on stage live twice. Basic plot: A group of people are brought to an island under the pretense of a reading of a will (they are all related to the deceased millionaire in one way or another). And one by one they are killed by the house (Set up by the former owner of the house). Some by Poison dart, one by a killer vase (I loved that scene), some by bad wine. The songs in the show are really great too! Personally I love the song "Somethings afoot and the butler didn't do it." (My other favorite is "I've got a tinie little dinghy." Don't remember if that was the official name but it was sung by the butler and maid as they were trying to escape the island that holds them prisoner). I have been searching for this for years on VHS and now DVD. It is officially missing in action. Please PLEASE release this one!!!!!

Great production of the musical

[GeneKato · 1 May 2003]

Jean Stapleton and Andy Gibb lead a terrific cast in this live taping. Originally airing on Showtime, it's horrible that this is not available on DVD or at least video. I directed a college production of this in November of 2002 and it played like gangbusters. Maybe someone will read this and find a copy of the original tape and mass produce it . . .there IS a market for it. I highly recommend anyone to catch the stage version if it is playing in a city or town near you.

And then there was song!

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 24 June 2021]

"Considering the way he died, we know it wasn't suicide!" So sings island mansion guest Jean Stapleton while singing the title song, adding on "And the butler didn't do it!" I've seen this plotline in B movies several dozen times, and not with songs attached. This London filmed for cable production ("Broadway on Showtime") is in major need of rediscovery and certainly remastering because the tinny sound is very distracting. Stapleton and the group of clichéd guests arrive on the island where they immediately discover that their host has been murdered, and the Miss Marple like Stapleton immediately takes charge.

Originally done regionally, this had a fairly successful Broadway run in 1976, and it's a perfect vehicle for the beloved former Edith Bunker right before she was given the opportunity to play Jessica Fletcher which of course ended up going to Angela Lansbury whom Stapleton seems to be emulating from "The Mirror Crack'd". Andy Gibb emulates the young Tommy Steele in his role as a college athlete who has made his way to the island after a boating accident, a convenient twist that makes him an instant suspect.

While the score isn't particularly memorable, it has its moments, particularly Stapleton's big production number "Don't Be Afraid", it's difficult not to see this as a higher budget community theater production, one that requires a larger than life leading lady. Bits and pieces of the plot seem to be taken from each of the several dozen movies I've seen with a similar plotline, so there's absolutely no originality to it. The farce was similar to the London and Broadway hit of the time, "Noises Off!!" so it's pleasing in that sense, but not the type of theater that challenges audiences. You begin to expect a stage manager to show up, directing the cast and for bits of the set to fall off the wall. Fortunately, that and the plate of sardines are missing.