One Body Too Many

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Stephen A Vintage Laughter, Sleuths, and Trench Coat Shenanigans! In a cinematic era saturated with gumshoes, femme fatales, and enough trench coats to rival a department store's winter collection, "One Body Too Many" emerges as a gem, albeit one polished with the finesse of a vaudevillian's punchline. Set against the backdrop of a will reading – the epitome of glamour, intrigue, and the occasional dust bunny – this 1944 comedy thriller is a delightful escapade into the art of inheritances and hilariously morbid misunderstandings. The plot, while comfortably nestled in the bosom of the stereotypical, unfolds with a comedic finesse that rivals a masterful chef whipping up a soufflé. An unexpected guest waltzes in just as the potential heirs are gearing up to outdo each other in a financial grab-fest. The mystery is kept as mysterious as a magician's secrets, and you're not overly concerned that this film is less than Hitchcock because it's more about the ha-ha. The comedy, my dear reader, is the pièce de résistance. Sharp and witty like a well-honed blade, it outshines the diluted humour of today's offerings. There's no crass language here, just good old-fashioned wordplay, slapstick, and visual gags that make you snicker without resorting to the comedic equivalent of a sledgehammer. It's a delicious breath of fresh air in a modern world where humour often seems synonymous with vulgarity. The direction, a relic from when movie cameras weighed more than your grandma's antique wardrobe, exudes class. The setup scenes are a visual feast, smooth pans efficiently create a dance of effortless elegance, and the lighting is practically a supporting character. Sadly, the film stumbles slightly with its single tempo – a varied rhythm might have elevated the comedic beats and intensified the suspenseful moments. The cast, a motley crew of characters, delivers a top-notch performance. Jack Haley, trading in his Tin Man gear for the role of a bumbling yet witty insurance salesman, is a delight: An honourable mention to Professor Hilton, portrayed with impeccable charm by William Edmunds. Even the ever-enigmatic Bela Lugosi manages to steal scenes as the charismatic butler despite being a secondary role. For those craving a generous dose of good-natured hilarity, "One Body Too Many" is the prescription. It's the kind of film that makes you chuckle over your leisurely breakfast, setting the tone for a pleasant weekend of fun. A classic that amply proves, sometimes, the best humour doesn't need an expletive-laden punchline – it merely requires a decent plot, a dash of wry wit, and perhaps one body too many. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/11/23 Full Review martin a A great murder mystery that sees an insurance salesman ends up investigating the killer as the dead bodies mount up The family have to spend the night in the house before the will is read and the will is carried out to specification, The comedy is not too annoying, and it is very enjoyable Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review kevin w As Abbott & Costello (and also Bob Hope) discovered, spoofing spooky sold to the yokels, and viola!, Jack Haley mines the same in this riff on the one-of-the-people-in-this-house-is-a-murderer convention. Haley is not as swift with the yuks as those previously mentioned, but the supporting cast sort of makes up for it. The best? Oy, it's Lugosi, as the butler with murder on his mind ... a hoot. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Jack character is undoubtedly lacking courage in this creepy comedy flick. It's a decent enough script with quality editing and some great close-ups. Besides Lugosi there is a strong cast throughout. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member This dark film needed more Lugosi. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member This must have been terribly old-fashioned even in its day. It's got a couple odd Wizard of Oz references and a kind of funny running joke for Lugosi. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews

One Body Too Many

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