GUMSHOE (1971)

Directed By: Stephen Frears 
Written by: Neville Smith 
Cinematography By: Chris Menges 
Editor: Charles Rees 
Music By: Andrew Lloyd Webber 

Cast: Albert Finney, Billie Whitelaw, Frank Finlay, Janice Rule, Carolyn Seymour 


Nightclub comedian Eddie Ginley fulfills his Dashiell Hammett love by putting an ad in the paper as a private eye.

Albert Finney at first seems to have a rhythmic language all his own Throughout the film. That at times is more cute than understandable.

The film seems like it’s supposed to be a spoof of the detective movie genre until it slowly becomes one, which would explain why in the beginning it seems more comedic and then slowly gets more and more serious though keeps a light tone throughout. In fact we don’t take the film serious until his character begins to. As in Finney’s performance he seems so jovial and free of worry it just feels more like he is having fun until bodies begin to pile up. So that it seems this is what Bill Murray was trying to do in the movie THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO LITTLE. Though that movie stayed comedic and never was serious.

Due to most of the characters he comes into play with being good natured and gentlemanly as they all seem to know him in some kind of way. As he seems to just be anti-Authoritarian and never wanting to work or taking things ever too seriously.

The film feels a bit long for a film that is under 90 minutes and at times seems to go off track with scenes and characters that we think will be important but really by the end seem more like flights of fancy that are more there to help inform the characters and see them more in their common element.

This was supposed to also be directed by star Albert Finney, But after making the movie CHARLIE BUBBLES. He was too worn out and handed over directing duties to Stephen Frears.

This is Stephen Frears directorial debut and the music is written by noted Broadway writer Andrew Lloyd Webber yet this is nowhere near a musical. This was his first film score and some of the music was later used in the broadway production of SUNSET BOULEVARD.

The was the only screenplay written by Neville Smith.

This is a nice little cult oddity of a movie that is off but I can’t necessarily strongly recommend as it is entertaining and except for It’s quirks not that strong or memorable more fun than anything that you just wish was a bit stronger and better.


Grade: C+