Customer Reviews

The Cheap Detective [VHS]

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Cheap Detective? Cheapo version is more like it - this flick has been sadly butchered into a small standard frame format, which marks the real "murder" here. So the studio (and/or the DVD maker) is the REAL "killer" this time.

It features a HUGE cast, which is all the more reason that this comedic gem must be released in its full Panavision glory. Until that time, this 5 star film only gets 3 lousy stars, and the DVD makers get ZERO of my money.

(Unlike the GREAT version of the similar modern comedy classic Murder By Death, which is on DVD in beautiful widescreen and which I strongly urge eveyone to buy.)

I therefore advise all fans of Falk, Sellers and company to BOYCOTT this pan-and-scan travesty, until the proper widescreen version is finally put out!

An hilarious spoof of classic Bogart films. Falk fills the Bogie role, Fernando Lamas, Madeline Kahn and Eileen Brennan are excellent.If you appreciate Casablanca,The Maltese Falcon,and The Big Sleep,you will certainly enjoy not only the acting,but the stage settings as well. Outstanding

Like Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein," "The Cheap Detective" is a lovingly hilarious homage to the great classics of the 30's and 40's. Falk, Fletcher, Kahn, Williams, Channing, and Brennan are outstanding.

Houseman's and DeLuise's dead-on impersonations of legends Sidney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre are brilliant!

And one can only marvel at Ann-Margret's "baubles!"

"The Cheap Detective" is a yet another masterpiece penned by Neil Simon who brought you "The Odd Couple" and "California Suite." This film is excellent, starring a wonderful cast consisting of Peter Falk, Madeline Kahn, Dom DeLuise, Fernando Lamos, Eileen Brennen, Ann Margaret, Stockard Channing, James Coco,Louise Flecter, Marsha Mason, and Sid Caeser. "The Cheap Detective" showcases the talent of the late, great Madeline Kahn, in a role which required her to assume a multitude of names. Peter Falk fits the role of a tough-talking P.I. perfectly. Dom DeLuise is just stupid (in the funniest of ways) as a man who wears a horrible smelling cologne to keep his enemies away, and after contact with him suggests "bath in turpentine and you will be fine in the morning." Directed by Roger Moore (Neil Simon's "Murder by Death"), "The Cheap Detective reunites Peter Falk, Eileen Brennen, James Coco and James Cromwell. See it--if you like comedy, you'll love this movie.

All the female characters in The Cheap Detective have soild, yet very funny roles - Marsha Mason, Eileen Brennan, Stockard Channing, Louise Fletcher, Madeline Khan and Ann-Margret all play their characters with gusto. The ladies definately fair better than their male counterparts (Peter Falk aside). There are so many winks and nods to the 40's film noir genre especially The Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep and Casablanca. I am no longer able to watch one of those classics without laughing; in fact, when I do watch one of those films I have to turn the film off and put The Cheap Detective on instead!

This is a truly excellent film. It was written by Neil Simon and directed by Robert Moore. This movie parodys old gangster films and other movies like Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, and more. Even if you haven't seen those classics, it still supplies a ton of laughs. If you like this film, definately check out my favorite movie of all-time, Murder by Death.

One of the most hilarious movies ever made -- Peter Falk is magnificent.

A great cast in a FUNNY movie! Peter Falk does a wonderful job portraying a slightly lop-sided 40's detective who encounters every wacko in town as he attempts to track down a "priceless" work of art. Don't miss this one!

Fabulous treat.

First, you must have seen Casablanca and Maltese Falcon at least to get it. Falk is the Bogart type, trying to make sense out of Madeline Kahn's continual name changes while trying to connect with an old flame, and find out who killed his partner, discourage his amorous widow, and fine out what are all these people after????????

The best scene is Falk juggling Brennan in the kitchen, Mason in the bathroom, Fletcher in the living room, and his secretary Channing at the door.

Too many stars to mention. But almost every role has a star and there are many roles.

Watch it, for movie fans this is a very funny film. Peter Falk has lines like : Dont call me sweetheart with a dead husband and the police still here"

I agree, Paul Williams kicking his own butt is hilarious. Madeline Kahn is funny even though it seems she is making up her own lines.

Falk says to Marilyn Mason" Why dont you step into the kitchen and bake a couple dozen doughnuts" It just never stops...