Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?
Date: 1978
Director: Ted Kotcheff
Production Company: Lorimar Productions
Stars: George Segal, Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Morley,
Location(s): Berkshire, London, Paris, Veneto
Region(s): France, Italy, London T-Z, South East R-Z
Storyline:
A comedic murder mystery involving the murder of some of the greatest chefs in Europe, using methods inspired by the signature dishes of each chef.
Also known as ‘Too Many Chefs’ (US Title)
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Steve Randall
Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 23 Jan 2024

Portly restaurant critic Max Vandeveer (Robert Morley) approaches his offices. Dudley House, 100 Park Lane, London W1.

This part of Park Lane is happily unchanged. SJ
- Capture 2
- 23 Jan 2024

The view across Park Lane from the front door of Dudley House.

I couldn't get far back enough to align the trees. SJ
- Capture 3
- 23 Jan 2024

Max heads off for his doctor's appointment. Belgrave Square, facing southwest.

The parking arrangements are unchanged. SJ
- Capture 4
- 23 Jan 2024

The camera pans with the car as it heads southeast on Belgrave Square SW1.

Seaford House in the centre is undergoing scaffolding-bedecking. SJ
- Capture 5
- 23 Jan 2024

Robert "Robby" Ross (George Segal), is a fast-food entrepreneur. He heads for a vegetarian restaurant to scare the natives. 131 High Holborn, now the site of My Old Dutch Pancake House.

...and here is My Old Dutch Pancake House
- Capture 6
- 01 Feb 2024

Max arrives to see his doctor, who tells him he must diet to stay alive, Chester Terrace, Regent's Park, which appears in numerous films including 'The Nanny' and 'The End of the Affair'.

The south end of the terrace looking north. SJ
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required

Meanwhile Robby's ex-wife, Natasha "Nat" O'Brien (Jacqueline Bisset), arrives at the airport. She is a celebrated pastry chef whom Max has invited to provide the dessert in the State Dinner he has organised for the queen.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required

In the car from the airport Nat realises she has been kidnapped.
- Capture 9
- 05 Jul 2024

Robby has captured her to take her to his home and explain about his scheme to open a chain of omelette shops. Dower House, Coworth Park, Ascot, Berkshire, also seen in 'See No Evil'.

The house is now tucked away inside the grounds of a large hotel and the view in the capture is not available. This is as close as I could get. (SR)
- Capture 10
- 23 Jan 2024

Max and Nat arrive at Buck House for the State Dinner preparation.

No driving around the Victoria Memorial (to the right but mostly out of shot) nowadays. SJ
- Capture 11
- 23 Jan 2024

They make their way to the kitchens.

Gates are firmly closed, but at least not crowded. SJ
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required

Following the dinner, Nat has a one-night fling with chef Louis Kohner, and later finds him baked in his own oven.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required

Nat then heads for Italy and meets chef Fausto Zoppi (Stefano Satta Flores). Rialto Fish Market, Venice, Italy.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required

Fausto invites Nat for a date. Rialto Fish Market, Venice, Italy.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required

They dine by the Grand Canal. Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Dorsoduro, Venice.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required

The view from the Guggenheim terrace looking west.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required

Fausto takes the steps into the building.
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required

Robby has turned up in Venice. He walks with Nat alongside a canal. Fondamenta Van Axel, Venice.
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required

They continue to walk north along the Fondamenta Van Axel.
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required

They argue, and Nat tells Robby to get lost. The reverse shot is of the Sotoportego del Magazen, facing northwest... Also seen slightly further north near the Sotoportego Widmann but with the same Ponte Widmann in shot in "If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium:" and I think I spotted it in "Book Club 2: the Next Chapter." (SJ)
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required

The bells ring out on St. Mark's clock tower.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required

Nat walks by the side of Venice's Canale Grande.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required

She takes a water taxi to Giudecca Island, heading for Fausto's restaurant.
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required

Nat walks by the Cannaregio Canal towards Fausto's restaurant, with St Mark's Tower in the distance.
- Capture 25
- 'Now' required

Nat arrives for her date. The date does not go well as she finds Fausto drowned in a tank of lobsters. Cipriani Hotel, Giudecca Island, Venice.
- Capture 26
- 'Now' required

Robby summons Nat to his Paris hotel. Hôtel Marcel Dassault, Rond-point des Champs-Elysées in the 8th arrondissement of Paris.
- Capture 27
- 'Now' required

They immediately drive off from the hotel to a meeting Robby has arranged.
- Capture 28
- 'Now' required

They head north over Pont Alexandre III...
- Capture 29
- 'Now' required

...and arrive at their meeting called to gather the surviving French chefs. Pré Catelan, Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16, Paris, France.
- Capture 30
- 'Now' required

They meet in the garden of the Pré Catelan to discuss the murders.
- Capture 31
- 'Now' required

Acting on a call from Grandvilliers they visit his beef restaurant. Little detail is shown, in what could be a set.
- Capture 32
- 'Now' required

They find Grandvilliers hung up on a meat hook in the freezer but alive.
- Capture 33
- 'Now' required

Nat and Robby attend the funeral of Moulineau, who has been crushed in his own duck-press. Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Consolation, Rue Jean Goujon, Paris.
- Capture 34
- 'Now' required

Robby asks Nat to marry him again. Place-des-Vosges, Paris.
- Capture 35
- 'Now' required

Nat remembers she has to go to London to appear in a cooking show. They cadge a lift to the airport from the policeman tailing them. Place-des-Vosges.
- Capture 36
- 23 Jan 2024

In London, Nat and Robby head for Max's place. Crossing Park Lane, W1, with Marble Arch in the distance.

The Animals in War Memorial was unveiled in 2004 between now and then. SJ
- Capture 37
- 23 Jan 2024

They arrive at Max's office. Dudley House, 100 Park Lane, W1, also seen in 'Upstairs and Downstairs'.

The finials are no longer painted gold but black. SJ
- Capture 38
- 29 Jun 2026

Believing that the murderer has been found, Robby heads for the airport, while Nat is at the TV studio. Latymer Court, 122 Hammersmith Road W6

There are two entrances to Latymer Court: this one has no tree in the way. SJ
- Capture 39
- 29 Jun 2026

Realizing from the car's TV that Nat is in danger, he orders the driver to U-turn outside The Latymers pub, 157 Hammersmith Road.

Swinging to the east, the pub sign is at the base of the big tree taken from the bus-stop which may well have been repositioned (and I took a closer shot just in case) slightly west. SJ
- Capture 40
- 29 Jun 2026

He passes Latymer Court in the opposite direction.

I'm disappointed with this one as only the left matches the right of the original, but this does the show the tree I mentioned in comparison 38. This is highly replaceable. SJ
- Capture 41
- 'Now' required

Robby passes through London streets on the way to the studio. Clarendon Road, facing southeast from around number 38.
- Capture 42
- 23 Jan 2024

The dash continues. St. John's Church seen in "Seven Days to Noon" at the top.

Looking east from close to Clarendon Road up St. John's Gardens. This area was also seen in "The Final Conflict," "Hennessy," "Steptoe and Son," and "The Passenger." SJ
- Capture 43
- 23 Jan 2024

...and again, Ladbroke Grove, W11

Continuity is not great as that's Elgin Crescent to the left so, while, very possible, a little but of a round about way. SJ
- Capture 44
- 23 Jan 2024

Nearly there. A little further south on Ladbroke Grove with the church of St. John seen on the left and in capture 42.

Looking north with Ladbroke Square on the right. SJ
- Capture 45
- 23 Jan 2024

He makes a right turn for Millbank, with the Albert Embankment in view across the Thames.

The former London Fire Brigade HQ still stands at 8 Albert Embankment across the Thames. SJ
- Capture 46
- 23 Jan 2024

He arrives in time to save the day. Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, Millbank, Westminster SW1.

A sharper look at the architecture. SJ

