Deathtrap
- Director: Sidney Lumet
- Writer: Ira Levin; Jay Presson Allen
- Producer: Alfred De Liagre Jr.; Burtt Harris
CGiii Comment
Dyan Cannon's screaming is intolerable. Lumet should have exerted some control over her ridiculous performance.
If you can persevere, it really is worthwhile.
There is a classic gasp-from-the-audience scene - and, it is a total delight.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
To make Sidney's slump all the more painful, Clifford Anderson, a student of one of Sidney's writing seminars, has recently sent his mentor a copy of his first attempt at playwrighting for Sidney's review and advice. The play, "Deathtrap," is a five character, two act thriller so perfect in its construction that, as Sidney says, "A gifted director couldn't even hurt it." Using his penchant for plot, and out of his desperate desire to once again be the toast of Broadway, Sidney, along with Myra, cook up an almost unthinkable scheme: They'll lure the would-be playwright to the Bruhl home, kill him, and market the sure-fire script as Sidney's own. But shortly after Clifford arrives, it's clear that things are not what they seem! Indeed, even Helga Ten Dorp, a nosey psychic from next door, and Porter Milgram, Sidney's observant attorney, can only speculate where the line between truth and deception lies.
Cast & Characters
Michael Caine as Sidney Bruhl;
Christopher Reeve as Clifford Anderson;
Dyan Cannon as Myra Bruhl;
Irene Worth as Helga ten Dorp;
Henry Jones as Porter Milgrim;
Joe Silver as Seymour Starger;
Tony DiBenedetto as Burt - the Bartender;
Al LeBreton as Handsome Actor;
Francis B. Creamer Jr. as The Minister;
Stewart Klein as Himself;
Jeffrey Lyons as Himself;
Joel Siegel as Himself;
Jenny Lumet as Stage Newsboy;
Jayne Heller as Stage Actress;
George Peck as Stage Actor