| The Cheap Detective | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Robert Moore |
| Written by | Neil Simon |
| Produced by | Ray Stark Margaret Booth (associate producer) |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | John A. Alonzo |
| Edited by | Sidney Levin Michael A. Stevenson |
| Music by | Patrick Williams |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages | English German |
| Budget | $5-6 million[1] |
| Box office | $28,221,552[2] |
The Cheap Detective is a 1978 Americanmysterycomedy film written byNeil Simon and directed byRobert Moore.[3]
It starsPeter Falk as Lou Peckinpaugh, aparody ofHumphrey Bogart.[3] The film is a parody of Bogart films such asCasablanca andThe Maltese Falcon.[3]
Theensemble cast includesMadeline Kahn,Louise Fletcher,Ann-Margret,Eileen Brennan,Stockard Channing,Marsha Mason,Sid Caesar,John Houseman,Dom DeLuise,Abe Vigoda,James Coco,Phil Silvers,Fernando Lamas,Nicol Williamson,Scatman Crothers,Vic Tayback andPaul Williams.[4]
Lou Peckinpaugh (Peter Falk), a bumbling San Franciscoprivate detective, tries to prove himself innocent of his partner's murder while helping a bizarre array of characters recover a lost treasure. A large number of people are murdered in crazy death poses before he finds out from Pepe Damascus that they were all after twelve large egg-shaped diamonds. Vladimir Tserijemiwtz, who had the diamonds, is shot by his partner Marcel, who had been bleeding for 10 years. Peckinpaugh confronts those searching for the diamonds in his home, finding that the eggs concealed real baby chicks. A final confrontation between the protagonists and Col. Schlissel ensues at the waterfront.
The film grossed $5,113,743 in its opening weekend from 648 theaters, finishing third for the weekend behindGrease andJaws 2 in their second weekends.[5] Film criticRoger Ebert stated that "If you lovedThe Maltese Falcon and can recite all the best lines fromCasablanca by heart, you'll hate 'The Cheap Detective', which is basically just the year's classiest and most expensive rip-off."[6]
Margaret Booth who worked for Ray Stark said the film "wasn't funny."[7]
A number of critics gave the film very positive reviews:The Fresno Bee noted that "Neil Simon has done it again. Written a film that is funny, entertaining, and a treat for old movie buffs."[8]
Ed Mintz foundedCinemaScore in 1979 after dislikingThe Cheap Detective despite being a fan of Neil Simon and hearing another disappointed attendee wanting to hear the opinions of ordinary people instead ofcritics.[9]