Product ReviewsDead Men Don't Wear Plaid (DVD, 1982)

A must have for classic noir lovers

Very funny. Well edited movie that uses footage from many classic black and white mysteries to create an original story. It is very funny. This is a must have if you like watching other film clips (it’s especially funny if you know the original scenes already as they are taken out of context to create an original story).Read full review...

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quirky, off beat & hilarious

This film comes from Steve Martin's heyday. He'd just had a smash with the Jerk, and his live act was uncannily popular. Jim Carrey could only have wished to be this popular. This features his zany sense of humor, that would go on to influence comedians like Demitri Martin & Stephen Colbert.

Running gags and a perfect sense of style and timing layer this film from beginning to end; combined with intercut scenes from classic films noires. The acting really only involves a small cast, but most are veterans of film and stage acting, enough to round out the action. Sets and costumes are perfectly recreated, so that continuity is seamless, and the plot is as hilarious as "What's Up Tiger Lily?" or "Kung Pow - Enter the Fist" which are the only other two films I would compare to this piece. Considering that the three run the gamut of film genres, it would be worth renting them on your next netflix update, or what have you.Read full review...

A classic....

I am somewhat biased as a serious Steve fan, but this film is both brilliant and fun. It's a great showcase of the genius of both Steve Martin and Carl Reiner. The integration of so many truly classic film actors is wonderful as well, done with a real sense of love for those films and the great talent which they displayed. The fact that this film includes the last costume designs of the great Edith Head only adds to its magic. Her beautiful period clothing really creates the mood. Who knew that Rachel Ward was such a talented comic actress? A really beautiful and funny lady.

Proof that film can be truly funny while not being crass. Long live the subtlety of films like this one. If you haven't seen it (especially if you are a classic film fan like me), you need to.Read full review...

Rachel Ward Umm

Rachel Ward is a doll, so cute and funny with Steve Martin being his crazy self. I had seen the movie in the early 80's and really enjoyed it again.

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Detective film noir on laughing gas.

A hilarious homage to detective film noir. My dad taped a copy off TV on our Betamax when I was a kid, and I didn't realize it, but they had actually edited some of the content, and it was a bit less silly (and less obviously raunchy), actually making it a ~better~ movie. I plan on downloading some editing software, and putting my childhood memory edits back in to a copy so I can enjoy it that way too. Still, I enjoyed this version as well, as will you if you enjoy old time film noir at all, and good old Steve Martin.Read full review...

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Phenomenal Martin noir classic spoof

This film classic from 1981 is one of Steve Martin's finest, from his post-SNL days. This movie brilliantly pays homage tribute to silver screen greats of the 1930s and 1940s, including James Cagney, Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, and Humphrey Bogart, in cleverly edited collage footage clips from 19 vintage films. A definite must-see, for any Steve Martin fan, and especially, the brilliant work of Carl Reiner, and the classic film studio talents, who brought such enigmatic artistry to the silver screen.Read full review...

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Great film for old movie buffs

The way they tied in old classic films and made this have the feel of a classic story and score is excellent. My favorite Steve Martin film. Rachel Ward and Carl Reiner are perfect in their roles. Fun movie to watch to see lots of old stars. Edith Head’s last film. Read full review...

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BEST STEVE MARTIN MOVIE EVER!!!

I saw this movie in the theatre in 1982 when it 1st came out and really couldn't make head or tails of it, maybe because I was only 20 and really didn't know that most of the people in the movie were either dead or 80 years old, not until about 10 years later did I rent it and really find out how truly great this film was, the awesome editing, the film noir inside jokes, the "Humphrey Bogart" not wearing a tie gags, from James Cagney to Bette Davis to Cary Grant to Ava Gardner, and all the other stars intertwined into this comedic masterpiece, man I love this movie!!!

CLEANING WOMAN!!! Not to mention the actual stars, Steve Martin, beautiful Rachel Ward & the comedy genius, Carl Reiner, from beginning to end this is my favorite Steve Martin movie of all-time...

It's one of my top 10 favorite comedies of all-time too!!!Read full review...

Amazing picture.

“Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid,” is a really amazing film. All the different old movie clips they implemented and matched the various tones of the black and white film, blending it all, quite a feat in itself. The acting was fantastic and the costumes that Edith Head was able to bring back to the screen was as always perfection. Great movie in every way!!!!Read full review...

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Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

Saw this movie in the early 80's at a movie house that served beer. Went in thinking it would be an awful movie and came out pleasantly surprised. The old film clips are incredible and very cleverly utilized for the story line. Decades (nearly 27 years) later this movie left an impression, can't say that about a lot of films along the way ? The B&W is classic, the humor cheesy at times, but the old film clips/scenes, it's refreshing to see a film that is entertaining and isn't a conglomeration of computer generated images. Don't get me wrong, those can be good too, but every now and then, the B&W films of the day are fun to watch.

For the price of admission, I couldn't pass on getting it.Read full review...