“Clue” is a 1985 American mystery comedy film based on the board game of the same name. Directed by Jonathan Lynn and written by Lynn and John Landis, the film features an all-star cast, including Tim Curry, Eileen Brennan, Martin Mull, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, and Lesley Ann Warren.
The film takes place in a large mansion owned by Mr. Boddy, who invites six guests to a dinner party. Each guest is given a pseudonym based on a character from the board game: Mrs. Peacock, Professor Plum, Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlet, Mr. Green, and Mrs. White. Mr. Boddy reveals that he knows each of the guests’ dark secrets and offers to keep them hidden in exchange for their help in murdering his business partner, Mr. Boddy himself.
The game quickly turns deadly when Mr. Boddy is murdered, and the guests must work together to solve the mystery of who did it, where, and with what weapon. The film features three different endings, each with a different culprit, and theaters randomly showed one of the endings.
Despite mixed reviews upon its initial release, “Clue” has become a cult classic and is considered a beloved comedy-mystery. The film’s humor, unique structure, and impressive ensemble cast have made it a favorite among fans of both the board game and the genre.
Cast
The cast of “Clue” (1985) includes:
- Tim Curry as Wadsworth the butler
- Eileen Brennan as Mrs. Peacock
- Martin Mull as Colonel Mustard
- Madeline Kahn as Mrs. White
- Christopher Lloyd as Professor Plum
- Michael McKean as Mr. Green
- Lesley Ann Warren as Miss Scarlet
- Lee Ving as Mr. Boddy
- Colleen Camp as Yvette the maid
- Bill Henderson as the cop
- Jane Wiedlin as the singing telegram girl
The film also features a brief appearance by Howard Hesseman as the chief of police, and a voice cameo by the late Vincent Price as the recorded voice of Mr. Boddy. The ensemble cast was praised for their comedic timing and performances, and the chemistry between the actors is considered one of the film’s strengths.
Production
“Clue” was directed by Jonathan Lynn and written by Lynn and John Landis. The film was produced by Debra Hill and co-produced by G. Mac Brown. The movie was released by Paramount Pictures on December 13, 1985.
The film was shot in and around Los Angeles, with the majority of the scenes taking place on a set built specifically for the film. The set was a replica of the board game’s mansion, and the film’s production design and costumes paid close attention to the board game’s aesthetic.
The film’s music was composed by John Morris, and features a playful and whimsical score that complements the film’s tone. The opening credits sequence, which features the characters racing through the mansion and interacting with the various weapons, has become an iconic part of the film.
“Clue” was not initially a box office success, but has since become a cult classic and is regarded as one of the best adaptations of a board game to film. The film’s unique structure, comedic performances, and multiple endings have made it a beloved favorite among fans of the genre.
Reviews
“Clue” received mixed reviews upon its initial release, with some critics praising the film’s humor and performances, while others criticized its reliance on slapstick and lack of depth.
Roger Ebert gave the film two-and-a-half stars out of four, praising the cast’s performances but noting that the film’s ending felt like a “cop-out.” The New York Times’ Vincent Canby called the film “a pretentious disaster,” criticizing its lack of suspense and characterization.
In recent years, however, the film has been re-evaluated and is now considered a cult classic and a beloved comedy-mystery. Rotten Tomatoes currently gives the film a 67% approval rating based on 42 reviews, with an average rating of 6.30/10. The film’s comedic performances, unique structure, and playful tone are often cited as its strengths, and its multiple endings have become a topic of fascination among fans.
Overall, while “Clue” may not have been a critical or commercial success upon its initial release, it has since become a beloved favorite among fans of the genre and the board game on which it is based.
Where are they now?
Here is an update on where the main cast members of “Clue” are now:
- Tim Curry, who played Wadsworth the butler, is now 75 years old and has continued to act in film, television, and theater. However, he suffered a stroke in 2012, which has affected his mobility.
- Eileen Brennan, who played Mrs. Peacock, passed away in 2013 at the age of 80 due to bladder cancer.
- Martin Mull, who played Colonel Mustard, is now 78 years old and has continued to act in film and television. He has also worked as a comedian and musician.
- Madeline Kahn, who played Mrs. White, passed away in 1999 at the age of 57 due to ovarian cancer.
- Christopher Lloyd, who played Professor Plum, is now 83 years old and has continued to act in film and television. He is best known for his role as Doc Brown in the “Back to the Future” franchise.
- Michael McKean, who played Mr. Green, is now 74 years old and has continued to act in film, television, and theater. He is also a musician and a writer.
- Lesley Ann Warren, who played Miss Scarlet, is now 75 years old and has continued to act in film, television, and theater.
While some of the cast members have passed away, the surviving members have continued to work in the entertainment industry and have remained popular among fans of “Clue” and their other works.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about “Clue”:
- The film was originally released with three different endings, and theaters showed a different ending at random. When the film was released on home video, all three endings were included.
- The film’s script was written with the board game in mind, with the writers incorporating many elements of the game into the plot and characters.
- The film’s production design and costumes were inspired by the board game’s aesthetic, with the mansion’s rooms and weapons faithfully recreated on the set.
- The film’s opening credits sequence, which features the characters running through the mansion and interacting with the weapons, was shot in just one take.
- The film’s cast reportedly had a great time filming, with many of the actors improvising lines and jokes during filming.
- The film was a box office disappointment upon its initial release, but has since gained a cult following and is now regarded as a beloved classic.
- “Clue” was released the same year as “Back to the Future”, which also starred Christopher Lloyd, and both films feature a DeLorean car.
- The film’s original title was “Murder by Death”, but it was changed to avoid confusion with another film of the same name.
- The film’s soundtrack features a song by the band New Order, which was not included on the film’s official soundtrack release.
- The film’s script was originally written to be much darker, with more explicit violence and sexual content. However, the studio wanted a more lighthearted and comedic film, so the script was rewritten to be more family-friendly.
Box office
“Clue” was not a box office success upon its initial release, grossing just $14.6 million against a budget of $15 million. The film’s mixed reviews and unconventional structure likely contributed to its underperformance at the box office.
However, the film has since gained a cult following and has become a beloved classic, with many fans appreciating its unique blend of comedy and mystery. The film’s popularity has resulted in numerous home video releases and merchandise, including a special edition DVD with all three endings included.
Despite its underwhelming box office performance, “Clue” has remained a popular and influential film in the years since its release, and its impact on the genre of comedy-mystery cannot be overstated.
