Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (PG) Power, Corruption and Lies on Screen
Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre, Dumfries, DG2 7BE
Thursday 26th November 2026 8:00PM
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
Carl Reiner | USA | 1982 | 85m | PG
Carl Reiner's comedy-mystery stars Steve Martin as private detective Rigby Reardon who is hired by Juliet Forrest (Rachel Ward) to investigate the death of her father, a scientist who was working on a mysterious project. As the case unfolds, Reardon encounters Nazis, espionage, murder and a bizarre plot involving mind control.
Masterfully incorporating clips from classic noir films, digitally inserting Steve Martin into scenes with legendary actors such as Humphrey Bogart, Barbara Stanwyck, Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, James Cagney and Ingrid Bergman. The film is both a loving tribute to and a parody of 1940s film noir.
A playful but precise homage to classic noir, Carl Reiner’s film stitches together archival footage and new material to create a detective story built from cinema itself. Beneath the humour lies an affectionate critique of noir tropes—reminding us that even the myths we tell ourselves about crime, power and truth are constructed.
There are no adverts or trailers with this screening.
Carl Reiner | USA | 1982 | 85m | PG
Carl Reiner's comedy-mystery stars Steve Martin as private detective Rigby Reardon who is hired by Juliet Forrest (Rachel Ward) to investigate the death of her father, a scientist who was working on a mysterious project. As the case unfolds, Reardon encounters Nazis, espionage, murder and a bizarre plot involving mind control.
Masterfully incorporating clips from classic noir films, digitally inserting Steve Martin into scenes with legendary actors such as Humphrey Bogart, Barbara Stanwyck, Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, James Cagney and Ingrid Bergman. The film is both a loving tribute to and a parody of 1940s film noir.
A playful but precise homage to classic noir, Carl Reiner’s film stitches together archival footage and new material to create a detective story built from cinema itself. Beneath the humour lies an affectionate critique of noir tropes—reminding us that even the myths we tell ourselves about crime, power and truth are constructed.
There are no adverts or trailers with this screening.
Event Details
Doors Open at 7:50PM
Starts at 8:00PM
