Alphabet Murders is a 1965 British crime film directed by Frank Tashlin and starring Tony Randall and Anita Ekberg. The movie was based on an Agatha Christie novel titled "The ABC Murders," and follows the investigation of a serial killer who commits murders according to the order of the alphabets. The film begins with the murder of Alice Ascher in Andover, followed by that of Betty Barnard in Bexhill, and then Sir Carmichael Clarke in Churston. All the victims have the same initials as the towns where they were killed. Detective Hercule Poirot (Tony Randall) is called in to investigate by police Inspector Japp (Robert Morley).
Poirot quickly becomes convinced that the murders are the work of a single killer, and that the killer is following a specific pattern based on the alphabet. As the murders continue with seemingly no signs of slowing down, Poirot and Japp work together to find the murderer before he can move on to his next victim.
The investigation takes them to various parts of England as they try to uncover the killer's identity. They encounter a diverse cast of characters along the way, including a group of young people who are fascinated by the murders and a hotel owner who seems to be hiding something.
One of the main suspects is the beautiful and enigmatic Arlena Stuart (Anita Ekberg), who becomes a prime suspect after being spotted in the vicinity of one of the murder scenes. She is known to have been involved with several of the victims, and her behavior is suspicious. But as the investigation continues, it becomes clear that there are more suspects than just Arlena, and that the killer could be anyone.
The tension builds as Poirot races against time to catch the killer before he strikes again. The final showdown takes place in a dramatic sequence that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Overall, Alphabet Murders is a well-paced and entertaining crime thriller that will keep audiences guessing until the very end. The performances of Tony Randall and Anita Ekberg are particularly noteworthy, and the film benefits from the beautiful cinematography of Otto Heller. Fans of Agatha Christie's work and classic crime drama will not be disappointed.
Alphabet Murders is a 1965 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
