Going in, Radioland Murders has some key elements that could of made for an entertaining story: all-star cast in a screwball comedy and an nostalgic storyline that could put to use a colorful set.But it all failed. The joke delivery was flat and some of the casting choices were peculiar. Watching Mary Stuart Masterson struggle through the lead female role made me long for Jennifer Jason Leigh's brilliant, high-spirited, cigarette-chomping, Hepburn-inspired career girl in the Coens' Hudsucker Proxy.Also Brian Benben, most notable from HBO's "Dream On" series, doesn't give viewers any of maligned everyman he popularized in the older series.This movie attempts many times to emulate that 40s-era world, with its Art Deco imagery, but the characters come off more cartoonish than swashbuckling. There are far better period comedies, I suggest "My Favorite Year" starring Peter O'Toole; "Radio Days" by Woody Allen and the aforementioned Hudsucker just to name a few. Those films succeed where Radioland fails, pulling viewers into these bygone eras to feel an inkling of what those times felt and sounded like.

The year was 1939 and America was in the flux of world wide change. Hitler was in Germany, Roosevelt was in the White House and a New Radio station was inaugurating it's first night on the air-waves. There are a hundred things which could go wrong and after watching this film for just a few minutes, the audience will indeed come to that conclusion. In the mist of growing chaos, personal problems also are thrown in the mix. Mr. Roger Henderson, (Brian Benben) in trying to win back his wife Penny (Mary Masterson) who threatens him with divorce. At the same time, the radio station employees are confronted with murder as several top executives are found dead. Several key characters add to the general mayhem such as General Whalen (Ned Beatty), Billy The Gopher, (Scott Campbell) Michael Lerner (Michael Cross) Zolttan (Christopher Lloyd) Herman Katsenback (Larry Miller), Billy Barty, Bobcat Goldthwait and Robert Walden. Director Mel Smith and writer George Lucas even threw in the Late George Burns. The station is flooded with everything from on stage Key-stone slap-stick, pratfalls, sight gags, verbal innuendos and hilarious vaudeville entertainment. The center of the story are the mysterious murders which are complex and interesting. All in all, the movie is wondrously exciting and musically entertaining. A fun visit to a far-away place where imagination of voice could transport you to anytime and place. Offered to anyone seeking a slice of radio memorabilia. ****

This movie takes us back 70 years ago at the City of Chicago, where station WBN hosts the variety of many radio programs. Unfortunately, it's also the place of interest where six murders are committed. Brian Benben stars as hapless writer Roger Henderson, who tries to solve the murders of stool-pigeon trumpet player Ruffles Reedy(Jack Sheldon), Toupee wearing Director Walt Whalen Jr.(Jeffery Tambor), Bossy Stage Manager Herman Katzenback(Larry Miller), Sleazy Radio Announcer Dexter Morris(Corbin Bernsen), humorless sponsor Bernie King(Brion James), and WBN Head Man General Walt Whalen(Ned Beatty). Accused of being the killer by Short-Tempered Lt. Cross(Michael Lerner), he, along with bell boy Billy(Scott M. Campbell) and his wife Penny Henderson(Mary S. Masterson), must find out who committed the murders and why. It features appearances by well-known comedian George Burns as the 100-year-experienced radio comedian Milt Lackey, Anita Morris' last appearance as the Va-Va-Va-Voom Girl with the Va-Va-Va-Voom voice Claudette Katzenback, Christopher Lloyd as the sound effects man Zoltan, and Peter MacNicol(who is known for his starring role in the Mr. Bean Movie) as the son of one of the writers. To find out who the killer really is... You'll have to watch the movie. This movie is a nostalgia of classic radio and mystery with a dash of LOL. I guarantee you'll like this movie! 1000/1000

This is the BEST movie ever. I've seen it hundreds of times and never get tired of watching it. The cast is large and the jokes move rather quickly, but this witty humor is what makes it great! The people who don't like or understand this movie are the ones who don't keep up with all of the hilarious jokes and things mentioned in fast dialog or under-the-breath. You must love witty to love this film. There are memorable and highly-quotable lines, and you'll find yourself mentioning things like "what a bunch of nimrods" in your everyday conversations. This is definitely a movie you'll remember and be able to watch time and again.