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.
The Cheap Detective (1978)
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Reviews Counted:12
Fresh:6
Rotten:6
Average Rating:5.7/10
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: Neil Simon's spoof of CASABLANCA and THE MALTESE FALCON, among others, tells the story of private detective Lou Peckinpaugh (Falk), a man accused of killing his own partner. As Peckinpaugh follows... Neil Simon's spoof of CASABLANCA and THE MALTESE FALCON, among others, tells the story of private detective Lou Peckinpaugh (Falk), a man accused of killing his own partner. As Peckinpaugh follows a trail of looney characters around San Francisco, he uncovers a plot involving a dozen diamonds hidden in an egg carton. Meanwhile, he also attempts to help members of the French Resistance find safe passage to Oakland. In addition to all this lunacy, he must assist the group in the search for their missing Liquor License. It was stolen by a Member of the Nazi Party -- which just so happens to be based in Cincinnati! Falk is hysterical in this entertaining send-up of classic cinema. [More]
Starring: Peter Falk, Madeline Kahn, James Coco, John Houseman
Starring: Peter Falk, Madeline Kahn, James Coco, John Houseman, Ann-Margret, Louise Fletcher, Fernando Lamas, Eileen Brennan, Sid Caesar, Phil Silvers, Nicol Williamson, Scatman Crothers, Dom DeLuise, Stockard Channing, Marsha Mason, Abe Vigoda, Paul Williams, Vic Tayback
Director: Robert Moore
Director: Robert Moore
Producer: Ray Stark
Screenwriter: Neil Simon
Composer: Patrick Williams
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Reviews for The Cheap Detective
Not even in the same galaxy as Neil Simon's best work, but fans of the genre will appreciate the gags.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 67% 67% | Public Enemies |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 95% 95% | The Cove |
| 85% 85% | World's Greatest Dad |
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