Foul Play (1978 film)

Foul Play
Theatrical release poster
Directed byColin Higgins
Written byColin Higgins
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDavid M. Walsh
Edited byPembroke J. Herring
Music byCharles Fox
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • July 14, 1978 (1978-07-14)
Running time
116 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$5 million
Box office$45 million

Foul Play is a 1978 American romantic neo-noir comedy thriller film written and directed by Colin Higgins, and starring Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Dudley Moore, Burgess Meredith, Eugene Roche, Rachel Roberts, Brian Dennehy and Billy Barty. The plot concerns a recently divorced librarian who is drawn into a mystery when a stranger hides a roll of film in a pack of cigarettes and gives it to her for safekeeping.

The film received seven Golden Globe Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (Hawn), Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (Chase) and Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (Moore), as well as for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, but won none.

The film inspired a television series of the same name starring Barry Bostwick and Deborah Raffin that aired on the ABC network in early 1981, and was cancelled after six episodes.