MURDER ON THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD is very interesting in that it attempts to present a "film noir" movie in the present. It works for the most part. Unfortunately, in the fast-cut TV/MTV world in which we live, we are not used to handling the (frequently) lingering camera looks and the generally slow unfolding of the story. It needs tighter editing. That said, the acting in most cases is very strong. One wishes that Ross Hagen's direction had matched the strength of his acting. His hard-bitten detective is the epitome of the stereotype, but with a depth of humanity that lifts the portrayal above the mundane. Ken Butler plays the tough-as-nails cop to very good effect. And it was a joy to see Nancy Kwan again! She's as beautiful as ever. The most exciting feature of the film is the cinematography. Gary Craver's photography, lighting and effects are superb, making it a beautiful experience. If you can adjust your viewing and mood to the slow pacing and tempo, this is a beautifully filmed and fun movie to see.

One of the great pleasures in life is to spend a lazy afternoon with a good mystery book in hands and a bowl of peanuts in front of you. Spending a couple of hours with "Murder on the yellow brick road" and a bowl of popcorn was in the same league. The movie is made in a best tradition of "Hollywood of my youth" and, importantly, not only for old-timers like me but also for anybody who loves good old fashioned murder mystery. The story is good, straightforward, and easy to follow. Ross Hagen and Ken Butler in leading roles, as well as supporting cast give great and memorable performances. The absence of violence, nudity, and foul language is certainly refreshing and makes the movie even more pleasurable. The music is great. If you ask me – go for it!!!!!

Murder On The Yellow Brick Road is an old fashioned murder mystery. With the fun narrative of.."It was a hot steamy night...", that I have always liked. It's a fairly simple story, that doesn't seem to need the violence, and foul language that has been the center of most films lately. The one scene that stays in my mind, is the one with the Detective, played by Ken Butler, discussing with the Private Eye the love that a person can feel for people they are close to, long after they're gone. And, that seems to be the feeling in the story...an older man feeling love for a much younger woman..but more the love of a Father caring, rather than romance. And, LOVED the song at the end of the movie, "Boulevard Of Dreams".

This film was both a treat and a surprise. It brought me back to those great "who done it's" based on real suspense, solid performances, artistic cinematography and a straightforward plot. The film was not filled with what we see every day - blood and violence, an overload of special effects, extreme sexual content and bad acting. The performances were strong; one that especially stood out for me was that of Joe Patterson, played by Ken Butler. He was terrific and really added to the film. After seeing this film, I would definitely make it a priority to see Ken Butler in his future efforts. Another aspect that really stood out for me was the score. The music was wonderful, never overpowering or distracting, but really complimenting the film. I would recommend this film to everyone of all ages. It's not very often that someone can take their kids along to see a smart, well-acted and beautifully filmed movie.