Radioland Murders

Radioland Murders

Radioland Murders
List Price: $14.98
Our Price: $6.93
You Save: $8.05 (54%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $5.96 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details


(Click here)
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada

DVD details

Actor: Brian Benben, George Burns, Mary Stuart Masterson, Ned Beatty, Scott Michael Campbell
Brand: NBC Universal
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 108 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-08-22
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Universal Studios

DVD Reviews of Radioland Murders

DVD Review: Great Slapstick Comedy Set in the Old Radio Days!
Summary: 5 Stars

RADIOLAND MURDERS is one of my favorite movies to put in when I've had a hard week and want to go brain-dead with something familiar. My love of Old Time Radio probably spurs this on because the movie is set there with love by George Lucas and his people.

I'm too young to have been around for OTR (as it's referred to these days), but I learned to love it all the same. THE SHADOW, THE LONE RANGER, THE GREEN HORNET and dozens of other shows that later became movies and television series came out of those years.

I still listen to episodes in my car and get carried away by Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in BOLD VENTURE. There's just something magical about radio because you have to create so much of the world and the characters in your mind.

That's the way it is with this movie. It's got the rapid-fire dialogue and insane pacing of a radio show. There's no spare meat on the story, and throw-away lines are used over and over again to tie the events together. Even old jokes that are groaners materialize on the sets and it's marvelous to see them carried out again.

The conceit of the story is that a series of murders are committed on the opening night of a brand-new radio station, WBN, in 1939. A husband and wife whose relationship is struggling because of a possible infidelity is caught in the crossfire.

Brian Benben plays Roger, the head writer for the studio, and delivers a great performance. His walk, his mannerism, his wild-eyed stares, and even his delivery were rooted in Groucho Marx's insane, quick-witted characters. I've seen him in other things, but I'm still amazed at how well he pulls the role off.

Mary Stuart Masterson play Penny, the girl Friday that the studio desperately needs to keep everything moving smoothly. Not that it does. But watching Penny desperately trying to keep the ship from sinking while dealing with Roger and the murders is a treat.

The other characters run the gamut. Ned Betty plays the studio owner who runs the place like a military commander. Corbin Bernsen plays the smarmy announcer. Christopher Lloyd portrays an intense, over-the-top sound man that's a sheer joy to watch. Michael Lerner delivers and outstanding hardboiled Hollywood cop. Michael McKean is a hilarious band director.

The film didn't do all that well at the box office, but I love it because it plays homage to OTR and because I love movies that have dialogue instead of just being pieces glued together with the latest Top 40. Maybe the dialogue isn't all that original or especially funny to someone not in the mood or who hasn't developed a taste for it, but for those of use that have, it's a perfect gem of a film.

Topping off the film, the music is great, running the gamut of the big band era, and sounds fantastic. If you're in the mood for a no-brainer, something that's a delightfully thin mix of comedy, mystery, and thriller, RADIOLAND MURDERS will provide a couple hours' entertainment.
More Radioland Murders reviews:
1 2 3

Description of Radioland Murders

From the mind of George Lucas, Radioland Murders is a star-studded, madcap murder-mystery that brings back the heyday of live radio and will keep you laughing and guessing until the show-stopping finale! An all-star ensemble cast comes together in this side-splitting whodunit that lovingly recreates an era known for its big band sound and art deco look. Starring: Mary Stuart Masterson, Brian Benben, Ned Beatty, Christopher Lloyd, Jeffrey Tambor, Rosemary Clooney, Michael McKean, Joey Lawrence, Corbin Bernsen, George Burns, Bob Goldthwait, Harvey Korman, Scott Michael Campbell, Brion James, Stephen Tobolowsky, Larry Miller, Peter MacNicol Directed by: Mel Smith
Bestsellers in DVD
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] ImageThe Story of Jeremiah [VHS]
Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS] ImageWresting With God [VHS]
by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops: $19.99
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS] ImageStudy Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]
Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops: $44.00
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS] ImageTempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]
HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops: $9.98
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/Party Video [VHS] ImageTempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]
HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Strike the Original Match [VHS] ImageStrike the Original Match [VHS]
New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops: $14.95
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] ImageMedjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]
JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008 ImageMayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008
by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops: $1,463.24
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single User ImagePediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single User
by Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops: $1,463.24
Cost Accounting [VHS] ImageCost Accounting [VHS]
by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Rat Race (Special Collector's Edition) ImageRat Race (Special Collector's Edition)
ATKINSON,ROWAN; Release date: 2002-01-29; DVD
Best price: $2.67
Price in other shops: $8.99
Mystery Classics ImageMystery Classics
Echo; Release date: 2005-01-03; DVD
Best price: $0.99
Price in other shops: $3.99
My Blue Heaven ImageMy Blue Heaven
MARTIN,STEVE; Release date: 2004-06-01; Published: 2004-06-01; DVD
Best price: $2.96
Price in other shops: $5.97
Silver Streak ImageSilver Streak
Fox; Release date: 2004-12-14; DVD
Best price: $4.04
Price in other shops: $9.98
Oscar ImageOscar
Buena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2003-05-06; Published: 2003-05-01; DVD
Best price: $4.04
Price in other shops: $9.99
The Shadow ImageThe Shadow
MCA; Release date: 1997-11-19; Published: 1997-11-01; DVD
Best price: $6.77
Price in other shops: $9.99
Murder By Death ImageMurder By Death
Sony; Release date: 2001-12-18; DVD
Best price: $7.91
Price in other shops: $14.99
Radioland Murders: Music From The Motion Picture ImageRadioland Murders: Music From The Motion Picture
Release date: 1998-07-28; Music CD
Best price: $9.98
Noises Off... ImageNoises Off...
Buena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2004-05-04; DVD
Best price: $3.93
Price in other shops: $9.99
Clue: The Movie ImageClue: The Movie
Paramount; Release date: 2000-06-27; DVD
Best price: $2.72
Price in other shops: $8.99
Compare prices and read customer reviews for more than one million DVD titles.
Oscar 2005 Winners