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Once Upon a Crime movie storyline. The lure of casino gambling, a murdered heiress and a lost dog named Napoleon become a comic nightmare for three vacationing American couples in Once Upon a Crime. To its credit, the movie is a fairly clean “whodunit,” with potentially offensive aspects (murder and adultery) being implied rather than shown. While some might enjoy the movie’s slapstick silliness, others will disregard it as corny and long-winded.
Once Upon a Crime begins as American tourists Phoebe and Julian befriend Napoleon, a dachshund, lost on the streets of Monte Carlo, Monaco. When the couple discovers that Napoleon belongs to millionaire Madame Van Dougan, they hope to pocket a reward. When they arrive at the Villa, they discover that Madame Van Dougan has been murdered. Fleeing, they eye a man hiding in the bushes, who turns out to a gigolo from the local casino.
Meanwhile, Neil Schwary visits Monte Carlo with his wife, Marilyn. Neil hopes to copy the latest designer wear and bring it back to the States. When Neil gambles all his money away, he prays “Lord, I’m not a church-going man, but what I wouldn’t do for a suitcase of cash.” Immediately, Neil stumbles upon an old suitcase, but its contents are less than miraculous. The whole party becomes implicated in Madame Van Dougan’s murder.
To its credit, ONCE UPON A CRIME is a fairly clean “whodunit,” with potentially offensive aspects (murder and adultery) being implied rather than shown. While some might enjoy the movie’s slapstick silliness, others will disregard it as corny and long-winded.
Once Upon a Crime is a 1992 ensemble black comedy mystery film starring John Candy, James Belushi, Cybill Shepherd, Sean Young, Richard Lewis, Ornella Muti, Giancarlo Giannini, George Hamilton, Caterina Boratto and Elsa Martinelli. The film was directed by Eugene Levy. It is the remake of the Mario Camerini’s comedy Crimen.
Once Upon a Crime (1992)
Directed by: Eugene Levy
Starring: John Candy, James Belushi, Cybill Shepherd, Sean Young, Richard Lewis, Ornella Muti, Giancarlo Giannini, George Hamilton, Caterina Boratto, Elsa Martinelli
Screenplay by: Rodolfo Sonego, Giorgio Arlorio, Stefano Strucchi, Luciano Vincenzoni, Charles Shyer, Nancy Meyers, Steve Kluger
Production Design by: Pier Luigi Basile
Cinematography by: Giuseppe Rotunno
Film Editing by: Patrick Kennedy
Costume Design by: Molly Maginnis
Set Decoration by: Franco Fumagalli
Music by: Richard Gibbs
Distributed by: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release Date: March 6, 1992
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