The Cheap Detective
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Movie Reviews of The Cheap Detective
Movie Review: 5 if in widescreen
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a wonderful tribute to the films of Bogart. True, it's a spoof, but humor is a wonderful tribute. Peter Falk as Lou Peckinpah is outstanding, and the rest of the cast matches him. Neil Simon, who cut his teeth writing for Sid Caesar, does some of his best work here. The humor starts off with the prologue, and never quits. If you enjoy a good spoof, this is one of the best. Watch it with MURDER BY DEATH.Movie Review: Not as good as Murder By Death but still good
Summary: 4 Stars
This lost little gem is a fun send up of the noir film style. Peter Falk does a pretty good Bogart among a huge cast of many of my favorite character comedians from the '70s era; many of which were also in Neil Simon's Murder By Death.
Being a big fan of Madeline Kahn, I had to see it and share it with my friends. Some surprises included Abe Vigoda in a bit part as a cop and Paul Williams.
Movie Review: What would you do with six lovely women?
Summary: 4 Stars
Good All-Star cast. Excellent 1940 period piece. This 1978 makes you feel you are in the 1940's. Excellent sets. Not much of a mystery here, but lots of well-written comedic lines. What would you do with six lovely women at the same time? See Murder by Death (1976).Movie Review: Funny
Summary: 4 Stars
This was a thoroughly enjoyable, thoroughly ridiculous story with wonderful comic acting. Have fun!Movie Review: A Pleasant, Affectionate Film Noir Spoof
Summary: 3 Stars
Peter Falk does an impressive Bogart impersonation as gumshoe Lou Peckenpah throughout "The Cheap Detective," doing such a fine job that you'll never confuse Lou with Lieutenant Columbo. He's given ample support by a "Who's Who" of 1970s supporting actors, including Vic Tayback, Dom DeLouise, Ann-Margaret, and Madeline Kahn. There's a clever story full of red herrings and convoluted double-crosses. The entire film is bathed in gorgeous lighting and impressive period sets, effectively recreating the look of such Bogart star vehicles as "The Maltese Falcon" and "Casablanca." It's easily one of the best-looking films of the late 1970s. Indeed, the film looks so good that it puts similar Film Noir knockoffs like "Curse of the Jade Scorpion" and "Sin City" to shame.
The movie's fatal flaw is screenwriter Neil Simon's continuous reliance on sketch comedy setups and overt silliness. Sometimes this works; sometimes it doesn't. Most times it doesn't, and there are huge stretches in "The Cheap Detective" where you'll be grateful that you can stop the DVD, take a nice long break, and return to it later. While unquestionably affectionate, Simon's satire lacks the bite that Mel Brooks possessed during the same time period, and "The Cheap Detective" could have used a sharper parody attack during its slower moments. This is a tamer spoof than the setup demanded.
Still, Falk fans will not be disappointed in this film. Nor will anyone in love with the classic look of 1940s Bogart epics. I'm glad I have it because I'm a Noir buff and Columbo fan, but you might want to rent this one first before buying it.