Murder
by Death (1976, 94 min, US)
Neil Simon wrote the screenplay for this delightfully zany
spoof on movie detectives; with an all-star cast doing a number on
Nick and Nora Charles (Niven, Smith), Miss Marple (Lanchester),
Charlie Chan (Sellers), Hercule Poirot (Coco) and Sam Spade
(Falk). Plenty of laughs and lots of fun. Truman Capote makes a
rare and campy appearance as Lionel Twain, a wispy lispy-voiced
millionaire who invites a group of famous sleuths to his Gothic
mansion to solve a murder mystery.
Director: Robert Moore
Starring: Peter Falk, David Niven, Peter
Sellers, Maggie Smith, Alec Guinness, Elsa Lanchester, James Coco,
James Cromwell, Nancy Walker, Truman Capote
Lily
for President? (1992, 50 min, US)
While out promoting her upcoming movie, The
Seven Ages of Woman, Lily Tomlin finds herself caught up in a
political whirlwind which eventually sweeps her into the White
House! All of her stock characters, along with James Coco, Pee-wee
Herman and a host of other celebrities, help her in her pursuit of
the highest office. Imagine if you will: Lily as Pres, Ernestine
as the White House switchboard operator, Judith Beasley as Lily's
Consumer Advisor, Trudy the Bag Lady as the Chief of Stuff and,
most importantly, five-year-old Edith Ann as the Secretary of the
Future. It's enough to give Jesse Helms nightmares! While not on
par with her best work, and unfortunately shot directly on video,
this briskly-paced political satire is still a lot of fun and will
provide plenty of amusement.
Director: Tom Trbovich
Starring: Lily Tomlin, James Coco,
Paul Reubens
Only
When I Laugh (1981, 120 min, US)
James Coco's finest moment is splendid indeed,
as a struggling gay actor and confidant to recovering alcoholic
Marsha Mason. As the supportive friend who wants to be a
"big, big star," Coco is funny, touching, lovable, smart
and big as life. He received a well-deserved Oscar nomination as
Supporting Actor.
Director: Glenn Jordan
Starring: Marsha Mason, Kristy McNichol,
James Coco, Joan Hackett
