Who indeed? Or rather, who has killed this stylish caper movie, currently unavailable in any format in the UK, and viewable only with an imported German DVD or a download direct from Warners in the States? And yet Ted Kotcheff’s witty film should be a must for streaming; genial, free-spirited, original and ingenious, it’s a star-driven detective romp that’s packed with quality and good taste. Perhaps it lacked the sensational values that cinema thrives on, but Peter Stone’s eloquent screen-play makes this one for the connoisseur.
What’s that, you don’t fancy a musty old movie? Director Ted Kotcheff went straight from this to making the iconic First Blood vehicle for Stallone, while cinematographer John Alcott was poached for Kubrick’s The Shining. And the film itself is a second cousin to horror classic Theatre of Blood, in which a disgruntled actor murders the critics who savaged his works. In this case, as the title suggests, a mysterious killer is offing the great chefs of Europe, Britain, Italy, France. And next in line is rising star chef Natasha O’Brian (Jacqueline Bisset, with a hard t, a good Scottish name), whose bombe surprise turns out to conceal an actual bomb during a live tv broadcast in a tense finale. She’s got some protection in the form of ex husband Robby Ross (the late, great George Segal), who sets out to uncover the true culprit.
Kotcheff pulls together a star cast, with Jean Rochefort, Phillippe Noiret and Jean Pierre Cassell amongst the culinary community featured, and Peter Sallis, John Le Mesurier and Nigel Havers amongst the Brits., The honours go to Robert Morley, miles over the top and circling the world like a loosely tethered zeppelin as rotund gastronome Max; he dominates the film’s first half-hour before our feuding couple take over the narrative momentum.
Based on a novel by Nan and Ivan Lyons, Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? was renamed Too Many Chefs in some territories; either way, it’s a zesty, highly entertaining caper movie that been largely forgotten; I saw it on an early 80’s STV Sunday night outing. Well written, and shot on location in London, Paris and Venice, it’s a perfect pick-me up at a time when leaving the house feels like it requires a passport, and a great George Segal film missing from most obituaries.
Remembered this as an entertaining romp and Bisset good as always. Don’t think it ever got the release it deserved. Lorimar at that time going through a difficult period. Robert Aldrich had something to do with it – maybe it was his great idea for a title.
Lorimar, there’s a name from the past…Too Many Cooks I think was the title in the US, not much better….
“What’s that, you don’t fancy a musty old movie?”
I know that’s not directed toward me……..
You are correct. Although with blu-ray, old movies never looked better. I’m keen to stop anyone in their tracks that feels that anything more than a few years old is out of date, and keen to bat for the classics, and those which have been forgotten!
I’m sure the Hairy Bikers are behind it. I would actually watch this but given the trouble of locating it, I will pass 😂
You could be right, gastronomically, but hopefully you’ll get a chance to see this as more good stuff appears on streaming.
Right. Is that a gisting thrust or a thrusting gist? And she’s still English. Makes me cross when people pretend to be from somewhere else just because they have a funny name and a foreign parent or two.
Ok, haud yer wheist, no-one is suggesting that she’s predending to be anywhere she’s not. I checked with her in person, and her name is pronounced in the Scottish fashion. Any other issues, I suggest you take it up with Jaqueline Bisset next time you see her.
Yes but I don’t get this ‘pronounced in the Scottish fashion’ business. I’m English and pronounce it Biss-set so that’s the English version? It’s very confusing all these versions. What’s the American version then?
People pronounce it Biss-ai, like Monet, because of the French influence, but they’re wrong in this case. It’s a name with Scottish roots, but even the English are able to say it right.
I have never heard of anyone pronouncing it Biss-ay. Sounds Scottish.
I thnk it’s been established that you do not move in the same circles as sensible people.
‘People’ are idiots.
I’m not defending them.
Alex is French and he doesn’t pronounce it Bissay.
Alex knows nothing but bins, leprechauns and critters. Can’t imagine any A-listers chatting to him…
As a wee lad in the days long before there was this internet thing to tell us anything we want to know (even if any desired answer is also provided) my folks had a dinner table argument about the origins of Jaqueline Bisset. Pop convinced of her Frenchness (pop descended from Huguenots), Mom of her Britishness (Mom from Exeter). Thank you for finally ending that life-long quandary!
I met her at a party at the Chateau Marmont, something of a dream for me, if not her! But I had previously thought her name should be pronounced with a soft ea sound, but now know it’s with a hard t; I was wearing a kilt at the time.
I don’t judge! 🙂 Yes JB was a dream-boat for us over 40s for quite a while!
I only mention the kilt because that’s how it came up, the topic of her Scottishness. It was a real if-my-friends-could-see-me-now moment….
As *if*. And you were getting drinks for Farrah, Jaclyn, and Kate while they sat by the pool, right? Puh-leez.
No, had a glass of Cristal with her on arriving at the Oscars party there in 1999. FACT, so haha to you, Bunty!
😀 😀 😀
What are you emoticoning about, Bunty? Some of us live the high life….
Did she get to check whether you were wearing the kilt appropriately?
Now that IS a salacious comment; the answer is a firm NO.
Don’t take any noticeod Ol’10, Jaqueline Bisset is English, born in Weybridge in Surey. Her Dad was Scottish and her Mom French/English.
Yes, but her name is pronounced in the Scottish way, that is the gist of my thrust.
No Gordon Ramsey? Disappointing. Still Segal is a dish, looks a bit like Alex I think, so I’d give it a watch if it was available.
He does not look like Alex, Sigh.
Does a bit.
NOPE
Whatever.
I’ll have to see if Amazon has it.
I suspect not.
Amazon never gets good stuff….
I like a challenge, so sure.
Of course that was meant as a response to . . . oh, whatever.
Great, we can do the jigsaws on the cruise.
Oh, and Yahtzee too.
Do you have Kerplunk! in France?
We have Jenga. I don’t know how easy that will be on Booky’s yacht.
If he gets the gyroscopic stabilisers fitted, no problem. Kerplunk is a similar idea. Should be able to build a house of cards if he keeps one hand ont he wheel.
Or a tower of champagne glasses. We’ll have enough bubbly on board for that?
We’ll need it if we’re going to listen to bookstodge waffling on about metaphysical realms…
At least I have my first “volunteer” all ready now should the sharks need feeding!
Who, Alex? He’s all gristle and bone!
I was referring to the man who claims to be scottish. Put some ketchup on him and voila, the sharks will just eat him up.
Nope, not happening, Alex gets eaten first, he’s a cannibal
Never saw this, though it’s one of those titles you never forget. Maybe I never will see it, given the problems with availability you mention. Though perhaps my library has it. They’re good with things like this.
It’s really great, I could cut each frame up like a jigsaw and mail it to you if that helps….