Once upon a Crime (1992 film)

Once Upon a Crime... is a 1992 ensemble black comedy mystery film, starring Richard Lewis, John Candy, James Belushi, Cybill Shepherd, Sean Young and Ornella Muti.^[3] The film was directed by Eugene Levy. It is the remake of Mario Camerini's 1960 Italian comedy film Crimen.

Once Upon a Crime...
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Eugene Levy
Written by	Charles Shyer Nancy Meyers Steve Kluger
Based on	Crimen by Rodolfo Sonego Giorgio Arlorio Stefano Strucchi Luciano Vincenzoni
Produced by	Dino De Laurentiis
Starring	John Candy James Belushi Cybill Shepherd Sean Young Richard Lewis Ornella Muti Giancarlo Giannini George Hamilton
Cinematography	Giuseppe Rotunno
Edited by	Patrick Kennedy
Music by	Richard Gibbs
Distributed by	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date	March 6, 1992 (1992-03-06)
Running time	94 minutes
Language	English
Budget	$18 million[1]
Box office	$8.6 million[2]

Plot

A series of couples are in Monte Carlo, Monaco and their lives get intertwined during a murder investigation. Augie Morosco is a reformed gambler whose wife Elena Morosco is concluding a business deal, while Neil Schwary is a gambler looking to strike it big and whose wife Marilyn Schwary is hoping to buy some designer clothes. Julian Peters and Phoebe met each other in Rome and are attempting to return a dachshund to the wealthy Madam Van Dougan.

Madam Van Dougan is found murdered and the interactions between Julian and Phoebe and the other couples begin to look increasingly suspicious, as Inspector Bonnard needs to unravel the clues. Over the course of the film, Augie returns to gambling, Elena has an affair and Julian sells and repurchases the dog.

Cast

• John Candy as Augie Morosco
• James Belushi as Neil Schwary
• Cybill Shepherd as Marilyn Schwary
• Sean Young as Phoebe
• Richard Lewis as Julian Peters
• Ornella Muti as Elena Morosco
• Giancarlo Giannini as Inspector Bonnard
• George Hamilton as Alfonso de la Pena
• Roberto Sbaratto as Detective Toussaint
• Joss Ackland as Hercules Popodopoulos
• Ann Way as Housekeeper
• Geoffrey Andrews as Butler
• Caterina Boratto as Madame de Senneville
• Elsa Martinelli as Carla the Agent
• Eugene Levy as Casino Cashier (uncredited)

Reception

Janet Maslin of The New York Times said the film was not funny, and adding "As a general rule, films whose plots revolve around lost dogs are apt to be short on comic inspiration, and this one is no exception."^[4] The film was nominated for a Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actress for Sean Young, which she lost to Estelle Getty in Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.^[5]

Adaptation

In 2006, Abbas–Mustan known for directing thriller movies in Bollywood, adapted this movie as 36 China Town starring Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. It is a frame-by-frame, shot-for-shot imitation of Once Upon a Crime.^[6]