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Foul Play

Play trailer Poster for Foul Play PG 1978 1h 56m Mystery & Thriller Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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73% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Librarian Gloria Mundy (Goldie Hawn) leads a relatively uneventful life. When she looks to shake things up, she somehow winds up in the middle of an assassination plot against the pope. Calling the police, Mundy meets the hapless detective Tony Carlson (Chevy Chase), who takes the case. During the course of the investigation, the two fall in love, but the assassin (Marc Lawrence) is still after Mundy -- and anyone with her -- to keep her from foiling the plot.
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Foul Play

Foul Play

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Critics Consensus

Entertaining and charming like its charismatic leads, Foul Play is a rollicking homage to the master of suspense for those who prefer mysteries with gags on top.

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Critics Reviews

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Gary Arnold Washington Post 05/09/2017
One recognizes the romantic comedy impulse behind the sexual sparrings of Hawn and Chase. It's the execution that leaves everything to be desired. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 10/30/2007
Writer Colin Higgins makes a good directorial bow. Go to Full Review Time Out 01/26/2006
Unsatisfactory as a whole, the film is hilarious and tense in bits. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy May 6
3/4
This breezy picture was clearly inspired by the Alfred Hitchcock filmography. Go to Full Review Frank J. Avella The Contending Apr 28
A-
Foul Play may not date as well as one would like but still prove to be charming, often-hilarious and a fabulous vehicle for one of the screen’s greatest female stars. Go to Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Apr 22
2/5
At 116 minutes, there’s simply too much space for momentum to dissipate, whether from gags like Burgess Meredith as an unexpected action hero or vivid automobile stunts, and Foul Play feels as much like a missed opportunity now as in its heyday. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Nick C. @dmcrra35 Nov 7 Great chemistry with chase, moore and hawn. Loved it. See more Robin H Oct 23 The interview with Gloria near the beginning is still the funniest thing on film. As a whole it is delightful nonsense. Dudley Moore is great in it. I remember watching the bedroom section as a teenager when that stuff was still a bit shocking. See more Melinda W 01/03/2025 My daughter and I love, love, love this movie, and we can quote it word for word. I grew up watching this movie in the 80s when the first house on our street got a VCR! See more S R @ScottR 09/04/2023 Unlike anything I've ever seen. It was so bad it was good. Props for the Mikado, Hitchcock dwarves, Japanese Tourists and the not being able to decide between suspense and romantic comedy. It was on YouTube. See more Kimberly A 03/17/2023 A classic… fun, mystery, and comedy all in one. Love this movie. See more caitlyn h 01/21/2023 My all-time favorite movie. Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, San Francisco, albinism AND dwarves! See more Read all reviews
Foul Play

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Cast & Crew

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Colin Higgins

Director

Goldie Hawn

Gloria Mundy

Chevy Chase

Tony Carlson

Burgess Meredith

Mr. Hennessey

Rachel Roberts

Gerda Casswell

Eugene Roche

Archbishop Thorncrest

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Foul Play

Foul Play (1978) Foul Play (1978) Foul Play (1978) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Librarian Gloria Mundy (Goldie Hawn) leads a relatively uneventful life. When she looks to shake things up, she somehow winds up in the middle of an assassination plot against the pope. Calling the police, Mundy meets the hapless detective Tony Carlson (Chevy Chase), who takes the case. During the course of the investigation, the two fall in love, but the assassin (Marc Lawrence) is still after Mundy -- and anyone with her -- to keep her from foiling the plot.
Director
Colin Higgins
Producer
Thomas L. Miller, Edward K. Milkis
Screenwriter
Colin Higgins
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 14, 1978, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Jan 1, 2013
Runtime
1h 56m
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