The idea of an Italian murder mystery set in Australia (based on, or inspired by, a true story) is a compelling enough hook for this reasonably well done film. Ray Milland plays Inspector Thompson, a retired detective who is allowed to help out in the investigation of a partly charred corpse found in a car on a beach. At the same time, we follow another story, that of a waitress named Glenda (the stunning Dalila Di Lazzaro) who has a couple of lovers, and even marries one, but won't commit to one man alone. As it turns out, the stories are ultimately connected."The Pyjama Girl Case" is a stylish film, gorgeously shot by Raul Artigot and Carlo Carlini and capably directed by Flavio Mogherini. It didn't always completely involve this viewer; the melodrama in Glendas' story just wasn't as interesting as the murder investigation portions of the picture. The slow pace has to rate as another debit. But at least the film is always pleasing to look at, in more ways than one: it also features some striking female nudity, and Di Lazzaro looks great in or out of costume. This further benefits from a lovely music score by the always reliable Riz Ortolani (of "Cannibal Holocaust" fame).The acting is solid from all concerned. It's a treat to see Milland (who actually smiles on a number of occasions) in this sort of thing, but when he disappears from the story, the film can't help but suffer. The international cast also includes Michele Placido, Mel Ferrer, Howard Ross, Rod Mullinar, and Giacomo Assandri.Admirers of those Italian films known as Gialli may find this to their liking.Seven out of 10.

I only watched this film because Ray Milland was in it. But boy, was it boring.Over 100 minutes of slow scenes, seemingly go on forever. Accompany this with the most mindless soundtrack imaginable. Tedious songs sung by what sounds like a transvestite in a sleazy nightclub.I'm very surprised this film has the '6' rating it has. It's dreadful. Terrribly acted and badly directed. There is a story. But it could have been condensed into a 30 minute short.Also, if you're watching the American version it's dubbed from Italian into English. Even this is terrible.I will give it 3 out of 10, simply because of Ray Millland. Otherwise you can forget it.Not one of this best films. In fact, I'd go as far as to say it's his worst.

Those expecting a sleazy, gory late entry in the "giallo" cycle of Italian cinema might be let down at THE PYJAMA GIRL CASE, but the film is actually a superb murder mystery, a fascinating character study, a police procedural, and a visually striking experience. Perhaps it's best to say that it was "inspired by a true story," since much liberty is taken with the original Australian case on which the film is based (and the Blue Underground DVD has as an extra an interview with investigative Australian author Richard Evans, who wrote a book about the real case from the 1930's). Ray Milland stars as a retired detective who spends time most of his time in his greenhouse (is this an allusion to the Columbo episode where Milland was into gardening?) but is brought out of retirement by a baffling case where an unknown corpse is found charred and decayed in an abandoned car on a beach. The police must first find who the woman is before finding who killed her. All the while as this story is being told we are following a second plot which I won't divulge here. At about the mid-point it seems as though the film might be nearly over, but it takes another turn and the chronologies of the stories become clear. As a regular watcher and reader of murder mysteries, the red herring characters were clear to me, the identity of the victim was no surprise, and the solution to the crime was not as much of a surprise as other IMDb reviews seem to think. However, I was riveted the way I am in a good Columbo episode thinking about the HOW and the WHY of the crime, and the clever way in which the various threads are tied together. Milland is, as always, superb, bringing many interesting quirks to the character of Thompson the retired detective. Michele Placido is impressive as the Italian immigrant waiter who is a major player in the parallel story, and Mel Ferrer is his usual suave self as a Professor who is having an affair with Placido's wife, who is played by the lovely Dalila Di Lazzaro. Fortunately, Milland and Ferrer provide their own voices. Howard Ross is also memorable as a vain and brutal German who is also having an affair with Dalila. While Riz Ortalani's music is largely the thumping electric euro-funk one expects in a 1977 film, it's much more subtle than, say, a soundtrack by Goblin, and two songs by Amanda Lear (my wife asked me "is that Nico?") are haunting and perfect, although many will find themselves initially put off by her singing. I don't think I can get the main song of hers out of my head. I had always considered buying a pan-and-scan VHS of this, but I'm glad I waited for the new and beautiful widescreen DVD. The Australian locations for the film as surprising and shot in an unexpected way that is fresh and makes the background an important character. I've been waiting to see this for two decades, and while it wasn't exactly what I was expecting, I was completely satisfied by it and watched it twice the day I bought it. Mystery fans and those into 70's Italian genre films should not miss it. However, don't expect the level of sex and violence you're usually provided in such films.

This film was confusing when I watched it, however, all was revealed at the end. Suddenly, everything fell into place and it seems that this films' directional technique was employed years later by directors like Tarintino and Ritchie.The film doesn't run in the standard order of things, making it stand out for it's time. A good screenplay, good acting all round and not bad by any movie viewers standards.