Shamus (1973)

43% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
35% of users liked it
(1,130 ratings)

This detective-themed action-adventure film spoofs The Big Sleep, which was based on the novel by Raymond Chandler. Burt Reynolds plays McCoy, a hard-nosed private detective. The story has more tangles than a bowl of spaghetti, but it begins when McCoy is called to the house of Hume (Ron Weyand), an… More This detective-themed action-adventure film spoofs The Big Sleep, which was based on the novel by Raymond Chandler. Burt Reynolds plays McCoy, a hard-nosed private detective. The story has more tangles than a bowl of spaghetti, but it begins when McCoy is called to the house of Hume (Ron Weyand), an eccentric diamond dealer, and is given the task of recovering some stolen gems. McCoy is beaten by a gang of thugs to warn him off the job, and this lets him know that he's onto something really big. By the end of the film, McCoy will have hooked up with a gorgeous blonde (Dyan Cannon), driven a tank through a warehouse wall, and delivered numerous crooks to the police. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Buzz Kulik
Genres: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1973 Wide
On DVD: Sep 24, 2002

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This tiresome private eye crime drama is what The Big Sleep would look like if it was dreck.
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
A must-see for the 70s icons alone -- Burt Reynolds, Dyan Cannon, and Morris the Cat!
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
By the time the mysteries are solved, you won't only be confused; you simply won't care anymore.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Patrick D

Why has this film faded into semi obscurity? It's great. First of all, Burt Reynolds is one of the best action heroes ever. Forget your physical specimens of the 80s to present, Burty has the build of a normal dude, he gets tired, hung over, physically overtaken, but he's… More
Why has this film faded into semi obscurity? It's great. First of all, Burt Reynolds is one of the best action heroes ever. Forget your physical specimens of the 80s to present, Burty has the build of a normal dude, he gets tired, hung over, physically overtaken, but he's clever as hell. It's seeing him struggle through action sequences that makes them so exciting in this flick. Not to mention he's his smarmy self, and bit of a womanizer at that, but I mean, it was the 70s. Think of him as a bubbling Shaft, but less so than Elliott Gould's Marlowe in the Long Goodbye. Added to all this you have an intriguing story, and some strange, yet amusing characters and situations. Not to forget a great and appropriate score from Jerry Goldsmith. Almost needless to say: this one stands out.

Cast

            Burt Reynolds as McCoy

            Dyan Cannon as Alexis

            John P. Ryan as Col. Hardcore

            Joe Santos as Lt. Promuto

            Georgio Tozzi as Dottore

            Ron Weyand as E.J. Hume

            Bert Bertram as Doorman

            Larry Block as Springy

            Beeson Carroll as Bolton

            Alisha Fontaine as Hatcheck Girl

            John Glover as Johnnie

            Merwin Goldsmith as Schnook

            Captain Haggerty as Handler

            Tommy Lane as Tait

            Ric Mancini as Angie

            Melody Santangelo as 1st Woman

            Irving Selbst as Heavy

            Alex Wilson as Felix

            Kevin Conway as The Kid

            Alex Stevens as Knifer

            Glenn Wilder as Thug #1

            Marshall Anker as Dealer

            Steve Vignari as Hardnose

            Kathy Frye as Bookstore Girl

            Mickey Freeman as Pimp

            Charlie Picerni as Thug

            Frank Sivero as Bookie

            Tony Amato Jr. as Willie

            Jimmy Kelly as Grifter

            Lou Martell as Rock

            Giorgio Tozzi
            
See full cast