The Cheap Detective (1978)
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50% of critics liked it
(12 reviews) -
57% of users liked it
(1,437 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
- Directed By
- Robert Moore
- Written By
- Neil Simon
- Genres
- Comedy
PG,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1978 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Better received in 1978 than now when it seems too contrived.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Very funny send-up of the hard-boiled detective genre.
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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.
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John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...among the best parodies Hollywood has made.
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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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Peter Falk
as Lou Peckinpaugh
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Ann-Margret
as Jezebel Dezire
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Eileen Brennan
as Betty DeBoop
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Sid Caesar
as Ezra Dezire
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Stockard Channing
as Bess
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James Coco
as Marcel
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Dom DeLuise
as Pepe Damascus
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Louise Fletcher
as Marlene DuChard
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John Houseman
as Jasper Blubber
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Madeline Kahn
as Mrs. Montenegro
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Fernando Lamas
as Paul DuChard
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Marsha Mason
as Georgia Merkle
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Phil Silvers
as Hoppy
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Abe Vigoda
as Sgt. Rizzuto
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Paul Williams
as Boy
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Nicol Williamson
as Col. Schissel
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Emory Bass
as Butler
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Carmine Caridi
as Sgt. Crosseti
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Scatman Crothers
as Tinker
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Vic Tayback
as Lt. DiMaggio
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Jonathan Banks
as Cabbie
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Charles Bastin
as Croupier #2
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Wally K. Berns
as Floyd Merkle
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Bella Bruck
as Scrub Woman
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John Calvin
as Qvicker
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James Cromwell
as Schnell
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Lew Gallo
as Cop
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Zale Kessler
as Courier
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Maurice Marks
as Doorman
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David Matthau
as Military Man
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Lee Mc Laughlin
as Fat Man
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Barry Michlin
as Bandleader
- Richard Narita
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George Rondo
as Cab Driver
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Joe E. Ross
as Michel
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David Ogden Stiers
as Captain
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Carole Wells
as Hat-Check Girl
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Ronald L. Schwary
as Cab Driver
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Gary Alexander
as Dancer
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Armando Gonzales
as Bartender
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Henry Sutton
as Desk Clerk
- Dean Perry
- George Simmons
- Jerrold Ziman
- Steve Fisher
