The Cheap Detective (1978)

50% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
58% of users liked it
(1,403 ratings)

Spoofing the entire 1940s detective genre, and his own performances as a bumbling private detective, Peter Falk plays Lou Pekinpaugh, a San Francisco private detective accused of murdering his partner at the instigation of his mistress, the partner's wife, Georgia Merkle (Marsha Mason). Police… More Spoofing the entire 1940s detective genre, and his own performances as a bumbling private detective, Peter Falk plays Lou Pekinpaugh, a San Francisco private detective accused of murdering his partner at the instigation of his mistress, the partner's wife, Georgia Merkle (Marsha Mason). Police Lieutenant DiMaggio (Vic Tayback) has his eye on Lou and blunders around in a way which complicates Lou's efforts to clear his name. Lou gets a new client when Mrs. Montenegro (Madeline Kahn) and her cronies (John Housman, Paul Williams and Dom DeLuise) hire him to search out a dozen diamond eggs. Marlene DuChard (Louise Fletcher) also comes to him for help of a complicated nature. In this madcap comedy written by Neil Simon, obstacles and complications appear every few minutes, and a great many famous actors show up in hilarious cameos. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Robert Moore
Written By: Neil Simon
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1978 Wide
On DVD: Nov 13, 2001

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Better received in 1978 than now when it seems too contrived.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Very funny send-up of the hard-boiled detective genre.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Not even in the same galaxy as Neil Simon's best work, but fans of the genre will appreciate the gags.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...among the best parodies Hollywood has made.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
You don't have to be familiar with Casablanca or The Maltese Falcon to appreciate the humor but it helps. Writer Neil Simon has thoroughly spoofed both classics.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

Peter Falk's typecasting as a noir detective was never more prominent than in the genre spoof The Cheap Detective. Borrowing heavily from the Humphrey Bogart classics of the past, the film also pays enormous homage to the genre itself while managing to be a great, smart comedy on… More
Peter Falk's typecasting as a noir detective was never more prominent than in the genre spoof The Cheap Detective. Borrowing heavily from the Humphrey Bogart classics of the past, the film also pays enormous homage to the genre itself while managing to be a great, smart comedy on its own. With a cast that includes Ann-Margaret, Eileen Brennan, Madeline Kahn, Sid Cesar, Dom DeLuise, Louise Fletcher, Paul Williams and Stockard Channing, the movie is so wonderfully colorful in its casting, depsite not being a particularly strong film. It is enjoyable and fun, but lacks the qualities of a perfected comedy classic.
AJ V

Yet another detective spoof movie from the 70s?! Yep. Again, we have a fantastic all star cast, and a very funny story. I really liked this movie, even if it isn't very different from other movies like it.

Cast

            Peter Falk as Lou Peckinpaugh

            Ann-Margret as Jezebel Dezire

            Eileen Brennan as Betty DeBoop

            Sid Caesar as Ezra Dezire

            Stockard Channing as Bess

            James Coco as Marcel

            Dom DeLuise as Pepe Damascus

            Louise Fletcher as Marlene DuChard

            John Houseman as Jasper Blubber

            Madeline Kahn as Mrs. Montenegro

            Fernando Lamas as Paul DuChard

            Marsha Mason as Georgia Merkle

            Phil Silvers as Hoppy

            Abe Vigoda as Sgt. Rizzuto

            Paul Williams as Boy

            Nicol Williamson as Col. Schissel

            Emory Bass as Butler

            Carmine Caridi as Sgt. Crosseti

            Scatman Crothers as Tinker

            Vic Tayback as Lt. DiMaggio

            Jonathan Banks as Cabbie

            Charles Bastin as Croupier #2

            Wally K. Berns as Floyd Merkle

            Bella Bruck as Scrub Woman

            John Calvin as Qvicker

            James Cromwell as Schnell

            Lew Gallo as Cop

            Zale Kessler as Courier

            Maurice Marks as Doorman

            David Matthau as Military Man

            Lee Mc Laughlin as Fat Man

            Barry Michlin as Bandleader

            Richard Narita
            
            George Rondo as Cab Driver

            Joe E. Ross as Michel

            David Ogden Stiers as Captain

            Carole Wells as Hat-Check Girl

            Ronald L. Schwary as Cab Driver

            Gary Alexander as Dancer

            Armando Gonzales as Bartender

            Henry Sutton as Desk Clerk

            Dean Perry
            
            George Simmons
            
            Jerrold Ziman
            
            Steve Fisher
            
See full cast