The Honey Pot (1967)

A millionaire (Rex Harrison) concocts a devious plan to gain even more wealth by inviting three of his former lovers (Susan Hayward as a Texas heiress, Capucine as a princess, Edie Adams as a movie star) to his Venetian palazzo and playing them against each other. But when one of them dies, the joke may be on him. Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s adaptation of the 17th century Ben Jonson comedy VOLPONE (via several other permutations) isn’t as sharp as his other dialogue driven films like ALL ABOUT EVE or A LETTER TO THREE WIVES and at a running time of over two hours (almost 20 minutes have been cut including Herschel Bernardi‘s role even though he still retains billing), it can’t sustain the suspense but there’s just enough style and wit to moderately hold one’s interest. With Cliff Robertson, Maggie Smith and Adolfo Celi and a frequently effective score courtesy of John Addison.