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Poster for The Cheap Detective

The Cheap Detective

Seen it?

1978 | 92 min | Comedy, Crime, Mystery

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With middling reviews (53% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a lukewarm 6.4 out of 10 from audiences, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for crime fans, anyone who likes to be kept guessing and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved The Naked Gun, start here.
The mood
Light and funny, tense.
The pace
Breezy, at 1 hr 32 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Made in 1978: an older pace and style.

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.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsBelow par

    53% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesBelow par

    6.4 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 42K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Robert Moore

  • Peter FalkLou Peckinpaugh
  • Ann-MargretJezebel Dezire
  • Eileen BrennanBetty DeBoop
  • Sid CaesarEzra Dezire
  • Stockard ChanningBess
  • James CocoMarcel
  • Dom DeLuisePepe Damascus
  • Louise FletcherMarlene DuChard
  • John HousemanJasper Blubber
  • Madeline KahnMrs. Montenegro