Rating: 
Summary: Steve Martin's Film Noir: Almost
Review: Another great collaboration between Steve Martin and Carl Reiner bringing the audience back to the silver screen and filmes noirs of the 40s. A funny spoof adding its own scenes to those of the famous wiseguy films of yesteryear.
Steve Martin is private investigator Rigby Reardon who's hired to solve a gordion knot of a mystery. Too difficult to solve on his own, Reardon gets the help of memorable characters played by Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, Burt Lancaster and other stars of the 40s film scene. Will our hero live to solve the dark mystery?
A very ingenious work of editing and mixing with all of the great talents of Reiner and Martin. The film's mood is augmented by musical genius of Miklos Rosza (Ben Hur; Quo Vadis). A great comedy to own and watch many times over.
Rating: 
Summary: 5 stars for brilliant editing & hilarious parody!
Review: Before I bought this recently I had never even heard of it. I'm a huge fan of film noir & so I had to see if a parody would be entertaining. It is now my favorite Steve Martin movie! The script is hilarious & clever & will keep you laughing constantly. The plot brilliantly fits in clips of famous film noirs of the 40s, & you get to see Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake, Burt Lancaster, Barbara Stanwyck, & Lana Turner "interact" with Steve Martin as he tries to solve a mystery after being hired by the very beautiful Rachel Ward. Filmed in black & white & with wonderful music by famous composer Miklos Rozsa, you cannot go wrong with this ingenious comedy. FYI, this was the final film for the legendary costume designer Edith Head. If you're a film noir or Steve Martin fan then this is a must-have!
Rating:
Summary: Humorous Homage To Film Noir
Review: Before I review this film I have to admit something. When I originally saw this films in the theatre in 1982 on a double-bill with "Porky's"(?) I thought that Steve Martin was actually interacting with real actors and not old film clips. Blame it on my limited film vocabulary at the time but it wasn't until the end credits that the truth was revealed to me(Gee, that guy sure looks alot like Bogart!). Anyway, this is a thoroughly enjoyable comic homage to the old film-noirs. Like the best send-ups, it is required that the makers have an affection for the genre that they are lampooning. This film was effective enough that it spurred my interest in the films that it incorporated into the narrative. Steve Martin is at his peak of comic prowess here. Director Carl Reiner and the scriptwriters here have virtually seamlessly woven the old clips into a humorous mostly coherent story. The black-and-white cinematography is gorgeous. To boot, the film includes old Hollywood hands Edith Head and Miklos Rosza as the costumer and music director.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Inventive and Fun!
Review: Carl Reiner and Steve Martin have made some wonderful films in the past, "All of Me", "The Jerk", and "The Man With Two Brains". But I think it's pretty fair to say that between all of the films they made together, this one if my favorite. It's also one of my favorite Carl Reiner films! A very inventive idea here of combining classic 30's and 40's films together into one movie. To be perfectly honest, what I was really taken away with was the truly outstanding cinematography, editing, music, and costume and production designs in the movie. Everything is done so well, to actually make us believe we're watching a noir film from that exact era. The scenes where Martin is supposedly interacting with people like Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, Bette Davis, Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant, Fred MacMurray, and Barbara Stanwyck are done so perfectly, that it all seems so "real"! Your amazed how it was all done so well. You should just buy the movie too see the technical aspects of it. If all of this weren't enough there are pretty funny performances by Steve Martin and Rachel Ward, but the one who I had the most fun watching is Carl Reiner as "Field Marshal Von Kluck", who reminded me of Erich Von Stroheim in "Sunset Boulevard". Two of my favorite lines in the movie are between Reiner and Martin. Martin is at the house of Ward, there Reiner is her butler. Reiner asks him " Whom shall I say is calling?". Martin's reply goes something like this...Rigby Reardon,and I've just been shot in the arm. Reiner's reply is " Shall I say by Whom?" And when Martin says his going to faint, he asks Reiner to catch him, but of course he can't....."I'm a BUTLER not a CATCHER!" Absolutely hilarious gem by Carl Reiner. Everyone, film buffs or not HAVE to see this movie. You won't be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: Inspired Genius
Review: Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid is one of those movies that are so jaw-droppingly brilliant that you can't believe what you're seeing. While the acting is a bit stiff in places, and Steve Martin's occasional use of "dangerous words" doesn't fit with a 40's noir film, the premise and near perfect execution of intercutting old and new films is incredible. For instance, Steve Martin's character's name is Rigby Reardon. On the surface it has that alliterative "Sam Spade" quality so you chalk it up the pastiche. Later however, actors from the old movies refer to someone off-screen as "Mr. Reardon" or "Rigby," and you realize how things were set up from the beginning. Likewise, Rigby's reaction to the words "cleaning woman" seems like just an odd quirk at first - until later, when it gives him an excuse to strangle Bette Davis. The scene of Rigby and Alan Ladd sharing a plate of cookies is simply amazing. The DVD skimps on extras, but as it's an inexpensive title you're still getting full value for your movie purchasing dollar. Don't miss the original theatrical trailer, though; I don't recall having seen it before and Steve Martin's narration as funny as anything in the film itself (who else could include "sliding" as a major reason to see a movie?). If you're a fan of the old 40's detective/suspense films, you'll really appreciate this movie. If you're a newcomer to the world of film noir, the movies spliced in here (conveniently listed in the end credits) are some of the best. If you're just looking for laughs, the gags are spaced out quite a bit in parts, but that gives you an opportunity to appreciate the dramatic side of Steve Martin you don't always see. Steve Martin and Carl Reiner should be very proud to have made this movie. You should be proud to include it in your DVD library.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Comedic Film of All Time
Review: Everything about this film is funny. I've been looking for it and was delighted to finally find it again at Amazon.com. From the scenes with Bogart to the toilet paper stuck to Steve Martin's shoe to shaving a tongue....hilarious. This is one you watch over and over.
Rating:
Summary: One of Martin's best.
Review: Extremely funny every time I watch it. Steve Martin and Rachel Ward are a perfect match for this detective spoof. END
Rating:
Summary: A Great Idea!
Review: For the past several years, Steve Martin's comedies have been basically fun, mainstream outings ('Father of the Bride,' 'Parenthood,' etc.). A lot of people may not remember that early in his film career, Martin participated in a lot of experimentation and risk-taking. 'Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid' was one of those early risks in which a story was constructed (sort of) around several classic film clips. Carl Reiner and Martin shot scenes designed to fit into those they borrowed from the classics so that their story of private eye Martin looked credible. The result is a very good idea that works for about half of the film. Martin spouts off some great one-liners and some pretty good sight gags, but the strength of the film is in it's tribute to the Golden Era of filmmaking, made even more memorable by the Rozza score and the Edith Head costumes (her last film). The plot is really ridiculous and beside the point, but the movie is a lot of fun. I appreciated at the time and still appreciate the risks that Martin took with this and all his early films. I think that maybe 10 or 20 years from now, Martin films like this one, 'The Jerk,' 'The Man With Two Brains' and others will be seen as innovative and ground-breaking.
Rating:
Summary: Is this wound ever gonna heal?
Review: Great comedy! Vintage noir and Steve Martin are expertly intermeshed to hilarious effect. Don't listen overlong to those who quibble, there is real comedic genius here. From multiple bullet wounds, to breasts shifting out of whack, to Bronco Nagurski's shoulder pads; this movie's got it all!
Rating: 
Summary: What rubbish
Review: I could not get into this movie at all!!! I am a big fan of Steve but come on. I tried to watch it 3 times and every time, the movie just did not pick up!!! As stated, the acting is hardcore and dry. If you are thinking of a good Steve Martain flick, try "All of Me", or "The Jrek"......
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