Film noir parody with a detective uncovering a sinister plot. Characters from classic noir films appear as scenes from various movies interjected into the story.Film noir parody with a detective uncovering a sinister plot. Characters from classic noir films appear as scenes from various movies interjected into the story.Film noir parody with a detective uncovering a sinister plot. Characters from classic noir films appear as scenes from various movies interjected into the story.
Alan Ladd
- The Exterminator
- (archive footage)
Barbara Stanwyck
- Leona Hastings-Forrest
- (archive footage)
Ray Milland
- Sam Hastings (in 'Lost Weekend')
- (archive footage)
Ava Gardner
- Kitty Collins
- (archive footage)
Burt Lancaster
- Swede Anderson
- (archive footage)
Humphrey Bogart
- Phillip Marlowe
- (archive footage)
Cary Grant
- Johnnie Aysgarth
- (archive footage)
Ingrid Bergman
- F.X. Huberman
- (archive footage)
Veronica Lake
- Monica Stillpond
- (archive footage)
Bette Davis
- Doris Davermont
- (archive footage)
Lana Turner
- Jimmi-Sue Altfeld
- (archive footage)
Edward Arnold
- Altfeld
- (archive footage)
Kirk Douglas
- Thug Boss
- (archive footage)
Fred MacMurray
- Walter Neff
- (archive footage)
James Cagney
- Captain Cody Jarrett
- (archive footage)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFinal film of legendary costume designer Edith Head. There is a tribute to her and the personnel who worked on films from the Golden Age of Hollywood in the closing credits. Head died on 24 October 1981, a short time after production on the movie had wrapped. Fittingly, the film features many of her earlier designs in cleverly edited clips from old movies. According to Carl Reiner, Head had possession of a hat that Ava Gardner had worn and was protective of the prop. She designed a total of 20 suits to be worn by Steve Martin, in the style of those worn by Cary Grant and James Stewart during their classic-era Hollywood pictures.
- GoofsWhen Rigby is talking on Juliet's phone to her sister Leona, the handset and coiled cord to the phone are from the 1960's-80's, and not the straight cloth-covered phone cords in use in the 1940's when the story is taking place.
- Quotes
[In Rigby's office]
Juliet Forrest: If you need me, just call. You know how to dial, don't you? You just put your finger in the hole and make tiny little circles.
- Crazy creditsAfter the Cast there comes the dedication: Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid was Edith Head's final film. To her, and to all the brilliant technical and creative people who worked on the films of the 1940's and 1950's, this motion picture is affectionately dedicated.
- ConnectionsEdited from Suspicion (1941)
Featured review
Film noir parody with a detective (Steve Martin) uncovering a sinister plot. Characters from real noirs appear as scenes from various films are intercut.
This film seems to be best enjoyed by those who love film noir. I do not necessarily think that is a prerequisite, but if you are familiar with the older actors and the films that are mixed in here, you will probably get a little more out of it. (And, heck, if you have not seen these, I strongly recommend you rectify that.)
I have a love-hate relationship with Steve Martin. Some of his stuff I think is genius and others I am left unfulfilled. Many people think "The Jerk" is among the greatest comedies of all time. I liked it, but have no desire to push it on others. This one I liked much more.
This film seems to be best enjoyed by those who love film noir. I do not necessarily think that is a prerequisite, but if you are familiar with the older actors and the films that are mixed in here, you will probably get a little more out of it. (And, heck, if you have not seen these, I strongly recommend you rectify that.)
I have a love-hate relationship with Steve Martin. Some of his stuff I think is genius and others I am left unfulfilled. Many people think "The Jerk" is among the greatest comedies of all time. I liked it, but have no desire to push it on others. This one I liked much more.
- How long is Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $9,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $18,196,170
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $4,289,601
- May 23, 1982
- Gross worldwide
- $18,196,170
- Runtime1 hour 28 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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By what name was Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982) officially released in India in English?
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