The Phantom of Morrisville (1966)
A delightfully mischievous Czech comedy-mystery where a cunning villain, a vanishing corpse, and a château full of secrets keep an inspector and a reporter perpetually one step behind.
The Phantom of Morrisville - Movie Information
- Original Title: Fantom Morrisvillu
- Release Year: 1966
- Directed by: Bořivoj Zeman
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Mystery
- Runtime: 1h 29m
- Original Language: Czech
- Spoken Languages: Czech
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 15, 1966 (XC)
- Alternative Titles: Upiór z Morrisville (PL), Fantom Morrisvillu aneb Píseň děsu (XC)
- Production Companies: Filmové studio Barrandov
- Production Countries: Czechoslovakia
The Phantom of Morrisville - Plot
Inspector Brumpby (Jaroslav Marvan) and the young crime reporter Allan Pinkerton (Vít Olmer) attend wedding of Sir Hannibal Morris (Oldrich Nový) with beautiful Clarence (Kveta Fialová). After the ceremony, Clarence's ex-husband, criminal Manuel Diaz (Waldemar Matuska), who was believed dead, shows up in her room. He wants to get his hands on Clarence and, most importantly, on the money she would inherit in the eventuality of her new husband's death. Diaz makes attempts on Hannibal's life. He knows his way about an underground labyrinth in the château and the traps he sets up for Hannibal seem to work, since Hannibal is apparently found dead after an explosion in the labyrinth, after which his body vanishes. The inspector tries to solve the countless mysteries. In this, he is joined by Allan, always ahead of the man of the law in his estimation and judgment of the situation.
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The Phantom of Morrisville - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Bořivoj Zeman
Main Cast
- Oldřich Nový
- Květa Fialová
- Jana Nováková
- Vít Olmer
- Waldemar Matuška
- Jaroslav Marvan
- František Filipovský
- Jan Skopeček
- Jaroslav Rozsíval
- Jaroslav Heyduk
Writers
- František Vlček
The Phantom of Morrisville - FAQs
What is The Phantom of Morrisville about?
The Phantom of Morrisville is a Czech comedy-mystery in which Inspector Brumpby and eager crime reporter Allan Pinkerton investigate a web of deadly schemes at a château. A presumed-dead criminal resurfaces to claim an inheritance by eliminating a newly married nobleman, leading to vanishing bodies and labyrinthine traps.
Who directed The Phantom of Morrisville?
The Phantom of Morrisville was directed by Bořivoj Zeman, a prolific Czechoslovak filmmaker well known for his popular comedies and genre parodies produced at the Barrandov Film Studio during the 1950s and 1960s.
Who are the main actors in The Phantom of Morrisville?
The film stars Oldřich Nový as Sir Hannibal Morris, Květa Fialová as his fiancée Clarence, Waldemar Matuška as the villainous Manuel Diaz, and Jaroslav Marvan as Inspector Brumpby. Vít Olmer, František Filipovský, and Jan Skopeček round out the entertaining ensemble cast.
Is The Phantom of Morrisville a parody film?
Yes, very much so. The film playfully parodies classic detective fiction and Gothic mystery conventions, blending slapstick comedy with whodunit intrigue. The bumbling inspector, the overeager reporter, and the melodramatic villain all serve as affectionate send-ups of familiar genre archetypes popular in mid-century mystery stories.
When was The Phantom of Morrisville released?
The Phantom of Morrisville had its release on July 15, 1966, in Czechoslovakia. It was produced at the legendary Barrandov Film Studio and remains a fondly remembered example of Czech genre comedy filmmaking from that era.
What language is The Phantom of Morrisville in?
The Phantom of Morrisville is in Czech. It is a Czechoslovak production originally made for Czech-speaking audiences, and the film's humor and wordplay are deeply rooted in the Czech comedic tradition of the 1960s.
What are some movies similar to The Phantom of Morrisville?
If you enjoy The Phantom of Morrisville, you might love A Shot in the Dark (1964), The Cheap Detective (1978), My Favorite Brunette (1947), or the classic Thin Man series. For broader comedy-mystery parodies, The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) and Mystery Team (2009) are also great picks.
Who wrote the screenplay for The Phantom of Morrisville?
The screenplay for The Phantom of Morrisville was written by František Vlček. The film's music was composed by Julius Kalaš, with cinematography by Jiří Tarantík and editing by Josef Dobřichovský, forming a skilled creative team behind this beloved Czech comedy.
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