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The Cheap Detective
1978 92 min United States of America PG 6+
★6.4
Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Director: Robert Moore
Trailers
Description
A spoof of the entire 1940s detective genre. San Francisco private detective, Lou Pekinpaugh is accused of murdering his partner at the instigation of his mistress—his partner's wife.
Starring
Peter Falk
Actor
Ann-Margret
Actor
Eileen Brennan
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
The Cheap Detective is a nostalgic parody that successfully lampoons classic noir films like The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca. Bolstered by a charismatic lead performance from Peter Falk, the film provides sharp, witty dialogue that rewards viewers familiar with the genre's tropes.
| Acting | Peter Falk delivers a charming, standout performance that effectively anchors the film's comedic tone while playfully subverting his own iconic Columbo persona. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay excels as a clever satire, utilizing sharp wit and memorable one-liners to affectionately mock the conventions of hardboiled detective stories. | |
| Acting | The ensemble of female characters provides a unique and comedic "bouquet" of noir archetypes, ranging from femme fatales to con artists, that elevate the absurdity of the plot. | |
| Accessibility | The film's humor and structural logic require the viewer to acclimate to its specific brand of parody before the narrative payoff becomes fully apparent. |