Done to Death

Done to Death is a 1970 play written by Fred Carmichael. The plot focuses on five has-been Mystery Fiction writers who are brought to the mysterious Vulture's Vault to collaborate on and write a new murder mystery TV series. And then real murders start to happen and Hilarity Ensues.

The play is huge parody of the murder mystery genre as each writer has their own style that they use in hopes of figuring out the murders. The play often delves into fantasy sequences and Breaking the Fourth Wall.

The five writers are:

  • Jessica and Whitney Olive - A sophisticated, middle-aged yuppie couple who write charming, "pleasant murders". The two and their stories are a parody of Nick and Nora from The Thin Man.
  • Mildred Z. Maxwell - A friendly older woman who specializes in tough, detailed murder mysteries. A parody of Agatha Christie and Miss Marple.
  • Brad Benedict - The youngest of the authors, he writes "modern" high tech spy mysteries akin to James Bond. In contrast he is mild-mannered and shy.
  • Rodney Duckton - The oldest of the authors, he is very energetic and enthusiastic. He initially wrote old silent horror movies before moving on to hard-hitting detective novels similar to The Maltese Falcon.

The other main characters are:

  • Jason Summers - A nervous business man in charge of the TV show the authors are writing for. His murder is what begins the main plot.
  • Jane - A young and pretty maid who may not be as naive as she seems.
  • Gregory - The butler whose appearance is very similar to Dracula. He speaks with a Middle Eastern accent and has a very mysterious air.

There are numerous other characters who come and go, may or may not be real and basically serve to keep you guessing.

Not to be confused with the movie Murder By Death or the play The Butler Did It, which have very similar plots.

Tropes used in Done to Death include:
  • Affectionate Parody
  • The Alcoholic: Whitney and Jessica, the characters in Mildred's fantasy story.
  • Alliterative Name: Vulture's Vault, Bradley Bruce Benedict. Mildred Maxwell can't stand it.
  • Angst? What Angst?: All of the authors are pretty casual about the deaths but Whitney and Jessica especially.
  • As You Know: In a rather gratuitious example the authors explain who the people are to the actual people. (Jessica explains who Brad is to Brad). Then Jason reintroduces all five. It arguably becomes Fridge Brilliance at the end of the story.
  • Beauty Equals Goodness: Parodied. Anyone who suspects that Jane is the murderer claims that she is using this trope to her advantage. Jess and Whit's fantasy is all about trying to prove this theory.
  • Bottle Fairy: Jessica
  • Brainless Beauty: Jane, who is described as being as dumb as she is pretty. The Ingenue in Rodney's horror fantasy.
  • Breaking the Fourth Wall: Or, rather, no wall to begin with.
  • Brick Joke: "This kitchen is definitely salami."
    • "The knife slid out of his back as if it was sliding out of a wedge of camembert cheese."
    • Ungeuntine in the lipstick.
  • The Butler Did It: Discussed.

Jessica: The servants? No, Mr. Club, the servants never do it anymore. That's passe.

Rodney: The organization always has initials that spell out a name. You've noticed that haven't you?

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