Murder By Death

A lot of comedy is based on reference.  The obvious problem is with time the subjects lose relevance.  Murder By Death has this problem.  Sometimes I hate reference based comedy because nobody likes feeling left out of a joke.  Here is a cheat sheet to help.  The photos below are from onscreen adaptations of novels.  I haven't read any of the books so I'm just as much a cheater as you.

Warner Oland as Charlie Chan

SIDNEY WANG is based on the Chinese detective Charlie Chan.  Charlie Chan was originally a character from a book but was popularized by Warner Oland's portrayal of the detective in Charlie Chan Carries On (1931).

Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade

SAM DIAMOND is based on the hard-boiled crime fiction characters of the 1930's, most notably Sam Spade from the Dashiell Hammett novel, The Maltese Falcon.  The character became a household name when Humphrey Bogart portrayed Spade in the Warner Bros. 1941 film adaptation.

David Suchet as Hercule Poirot

Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple

JESSICA MARBLES & MILO PERRIER are based on the Agatha Christie characters, Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot.  The numerous onscreen adaptations of the characters don't come close to the popularity of Christie's novels.

William Powell, Skippy, & Myrna Loy as Nick, Asta, & Nora Charles

DICK & DORA CHARLESTON are based on Nick and Nora Charles from the popular Thin Man film series.  William Powell and Myrna Loy teamed up to make five films between 1936-1947.

*
And yes, that is Obi-Wan Kenobi as the blind butler, Jamesir Bensonmum.

Alec Guinness as OB1

Also, Truman Capote makes an appearance as Lional Twain.  I think the character is based on Truman Capote.