The Cheap Detective

The Cheap Detective Photos

View All Photos

Watch it now

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

James Cromwell
as Schnell

Scatman Crothers
as Tinker

David Ogden Stiers
as Captain

Vic Tayback
as Lt. DiMaggio

Carole Wells
as Hat-Check Girl

John Calvin
as Qvicker

Barry Michlin
as Bandleader

Richard Narita

Jonathan Banks
as Cabbie

Lew Gallo
as Cop

Lee McLaughlin
as Fat Man

Zale Kessler
as Courier

Jerrold Ziman
as Courier

Bella Bruck
as Scrub Woman

Henry Sutton
as Desk Clerk

Maurice Marks
as Doorman

Joe Ross
as Michel

Dean Perry
as Cab Driver

George Rondo
as Cab Driver

Joe E. Ross
as Michel

Ronald L. Schwary
as Cab Driver

Louis H. Kelly
as Croupier #1

Charles A. Bastin
as Croupier #2

Charles Bastin
as Croupier #2

Armando Gonzales
as Bartender

Gary L. Dyer
as Man in Crusades Bar

Steven Fisher
as Man in Crusades Bar

Laurie Hagen
as Elegant Lady

Wally K. Berns
as Floyd Merkle

Lee Menning
as Elegant Lady

Nancy Warren
as Elegant Lady

Nancy Marlowe Coyne
as Lady of the Night

Lynn Griffis
as Lady of the Night

Paula Friel
as Military Wife

Sheila Sisco
as Military Wife

Lauren Simon
as Military Wife

Cindy Lang
as Navy Wife

Tina Ritt
as Army Wife

David Matthau
as Military Man

Gary Alexander
as Military Man

Michele Bernath
as Dancer

George Simmons
as Detective

Joree Sirianni
as Cigarette Girl

Cornell Chulay
as German Singer

View All

Critic Reviews for The Cheap Detective

Audience Reviews for The Cheap Detective

• May 30, 2013

  The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca are where this spoof/send-up begins, turning out little better than a lame Saturday Night Live skit (only running longer), but enjoyable for the charisma of its cast, obviously enjoying a chance at these familiar characters. Falk made a career out of playing a poor man's Bogie, and there's not enough Ann-Margret.
  Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
• Nov 08, 2011

  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.
  Tim S Super Reviewer
• Sep 06, 2010

  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.
  Aj V Super Reviewer
• Oct 22, 2009

  A laugh a minute!!!!
  Brody M Super Reviewer

The Cheap Detective Quotes

News & Features