i feel like i be commit sacrilege to admit i enjoy this film especially since i be a huge film noir aficionado . purist might be shock to see classic cannibalize for a comedy of all thing but i feel there be also a reverence angle that can be introduce to the argument . it also can intensify exposure to a large mass audience and thus promote growth . the issue for me however be that dead men don not wear plaid be one very funny film . with the best faux authenticity ( another sterling effort by michael chapman ) blending of it day steve martin in on spot comic dead pan mix with the great of american cinema in a cleverly devise parody on film noir . a private eye rigby reardon he cross path with an hysterical barbara stanwyck and a homicidal alan ladd among a dozen other star of bygone era . the plot have a big sleep similarity and be just a confuse which allow martin and director alan reiner to create a steady jigsaw puzzle of laugh with a fresh original approach . it slow at time with the present day cast but when the star be out the film become capable of induce parody and awe at the same time .