The Laughing Policeman
Seen it?1973 | 112 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With a box office loss and little lasting buzz, 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-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Lethal Weapon or Dirty Harry, start here.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 52 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect violence.
- Made in 1973: an older pace and style.
When a gunman opens fire on a crowded city bus in San Francisco, Detective Dave Evans is killed, along with the man he'd been following in relation to a murder. Evans' partner, Sgt. Jake Martin, becomes obsessed with solving the case.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
56% on Rotten Tomatoes, 57 on Metacritic
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 30K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Lethal Weapon
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Dirty Harry
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed crime thriller.
Zodiac Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed crime thriller.
American Gigolo Weeknight WatchAnother crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Street Kings Weeknight WatchAnother crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Stuart Rosenberg
- Walter MatthauSgt. Jake Martin SFPD
- Bruce DernInsp. Leo Larsen SFPD
- Louis Gossett Jr.Insp. James Larrimore SFPD
- Albert PaulsenHenry Camerero
- Anthony ZerbeLt. Nat Steiner SFPD
- Val AveryInsp. John Pappas SFPD
- Cathy Lee CrosbyKay Butler
- Mario GalloBobby Mow, Snitch
- Joanna CassidyMonica, Beth's Roomate
- Frances Lee McCainProstitute