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): , , ,

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

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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

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

I couldn't get far back enough to align the trees. SJ

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

The parking arrangements are unchanged. SJ

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

Seaford House in the centre is undergoing scaffolding-bedecking. SJ

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

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

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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.

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In the car from the airport Nat realises she has been kidnapped.

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)

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

They make their way to the kitchens.

Gates are firmly closed, but at least not crowded. SJ

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

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Nat then heads for Italy and meets chef Fausto Zoppi (Stefano Satta Flores). Rialto Fish Market, Venice, Italy.

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Fausto invites Nat for a date. Rialto Fish Market, Venice, Italy.

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They dine by the Grand Canal. Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Dorsoduro, Venice.

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The view from the Guggenheim terrace looking west.

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Fausto takes the steps into the building.

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Robby has turned up in Venice. He walks with Nat alongside a canal. Fondamenta Van Axel, Venice.

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They continue to walk north along the Fondamenta Van Axel.

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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)

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The bells ring out on St. Mark's clock tower.

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Nat walks by the side of Venice's Canale Grande.

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She takes a water taxi to Giudecca Island, heading for Fausto's restaurant.

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Nat walks by the Cannaregio Canal towards Fausto's restaurant, with St Mark's Tower in the distance.

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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.

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

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They immediately drive off from the hotel to a meeting Robby has arranged.

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They head north over Pont Alexandre III...

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...and arrive at their meeting called to gather the surviving French chefs. Pré Catelan, Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16, Paris, France.

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They meet in the garden of the Pré Catelan to discuss the murders.

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Acting on a call from Grandvilliers they visit his beef restaurant. Little detail is shown, in what could be a set.

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They find Grandvilliers hung up on a meat hook in the freezer but alive.

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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.

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Robby asks Nat to marry him again. Place-des-Vosges, Paris.

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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Robby passes through London streets on the way to the studio. Clarendon Road, facing southeast from around number 38.

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

...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

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

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

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

A sharper look at the architecture. SJ