I’m pleased to be welcoming John Hatch as today’s featured author, for the Cluesletter’s first-ever nonfiction book feature! John’s new release, “What Do You Mean, Murder?” Clue and the Making of a Cult Classic is a deep dive into the making of the 1985 film—one that I know many of you, like me, absolutely love.
In the interview below, John walks me through his inspiration for writing, the book’s structure, and some of the most surprising facts about the movie.
Connect with John on Instagram and his website. Grab a copy of Poster Girl from your retailer of choice here.
Hi John, thanks so much for joining! “What Do You Mean, Murder?” Clue and the Making of a Cult Classic is a new exploration of the classic 1985 film. What drew you to this film initially, and why did you write the book?
I felt like I’d been waiting for someone else to write this book for ages. It seemed obvious—Clue is this beloved film that’s grown from flop to cult classic, and there was so little information about how it was actually made. Then, in early 2021, when theaters were still showing older movies during the pandemic, I saw it for the first time in a movie theater since I was nine years old. I noticed things on the big screen I hadn’t seen before, and it spurred me to start researching. I found there was a lot more information than I expected, and it went from there.
Why do you think Clue has become a cult classic? In your opinion, why do contemporary audiences still love it?
I think most people discover Clue as kids, and they’re drawn to the slapstick and the farce. There are people crashing into each other, silly jokes, and rapid-fire dialogue. In the 1980s and 1990s, Clue was on cable TV a lot, before there was anything like 500 channels or on-demand streaming. That’s how kids found it. Then as they grew up, it was a nostalgic part of their childhood. They kept watching and noticed the more grown-up themes of corruption, sexual politics, and the Red Scare. Those now-grown-up fans introduced it to their friends and their partners and their own kids. It keeps managing to find new viewers.
How did you approach writing this story? What was the most challenging part of writing this book?
I decided early on that I wanted to take this in a little bit different direction than most production histories and “making-of” books. Those typically unfold chronologically through the development, writing, casting, and then the shooting schedule. Most films aren’t shot sequentially—that is, in the order the scenes in the film appear. They’re shot based on location and actor availability. A scene at the beginning of the movie and a scene at the end of the movie might be shot on the same day, in other words. But knowing that my book would mostly appeal to fans, I wanted to walk them through the movie that they know so well and practically have memorized. After I talk about development and writing and casting the film, I start with the opening shots and take readers through the movie, moment by moment. In that sense, the book is something of a detailed annotation of the film. I cover everything from the shooting schedule to the lighting, the props to the soundtrack.
The most challenging part of writing the book was also the most surprising to me. As I got into telling the story, I became acutely aware that I was writing about people who are still living, people who I don’t know. I’m a historian who is usually writing about people who are long-since deceased. That wasn’t the case here. I was surprised at my own discomfort in writing about these people. I’m wary of celebrity culture—of the way we talk about famous people as if we know them just because we’ve seen them in movies or on talk shows or, worse, in the tabloids. We don’t know them! They aren’t our friends. And so I was determined to be fair to them. A few times in the book I think this worry about fairness led me to swing the pendulum too far the other way—I was being too effusive of the actors and the director. I’m grateful to have had a fantastic editor who pointed those moments out and encouraged me to rework them.
Can you share an unexpected fun fact about Clue? And/or, what did you discover during your research that really surprised you?
I was surprised to learn how much of this was all producer Debra Hill’s idea. She is responsible for Clue, but because she passed away in 2005 from cancer, she is often left out or only mentioned in passing in most articles about the movie. She secured the rights to the film from Parker Brothers in 1980, came up with a delightful treatment (a three-page summary of the film), and then hired writers and crew. I hope my book corrects the record and shows how important she was to this movie that so many people love.
Lastly, what’s next for you? Are you working on any other books? Anything else to share?
I’ve been kicking around a few ideas, and I’m settling in on doing research for another 1985 movie. This one wasn’t a flop—it was a big hit and it remains a favorite today. I won’t say which film, but if you like pirate ships and buried treasure, stay tuned :)I’m currently recording the audiobook for “What Do You Mean, Murder?” and I hope I can have it out in the next month.
Thanks so much to John for the interview. Sleuths, I hope you enjoyed it! If you aren’t already subscribed, please be sure to sign up for the Cluesletter and get author features like this alongside other mystery goodies, delivered to your inbox every other Tuesday.