Legendary writer Neil Simons' delightful parody of hard boiled detective fiction (by the likes of Hammett and Chandler) is often quite funny. It does a good job of combining Simons' genuinely funny and witty dialogue with some occasional good visual gags. The movie is packed with big guest stars, some of whom have very little time to create a characterization, but everybody does a very amusing job of poking fun at - and paying tribute to - iconic actors of the genre.Peter Falk does a priceless Bogart impression as private eye Lou Peckinpaugh. Lous' partner has been found murdered, and this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his latest complex case. (Lou even comments on its convoluted nature.) It involves a French resistance fighter (Fernando Lamas), a Nazi official (Nicol Williamson), the theft of some supposedly invaluable "eggs", the Golden Gate Bridge, and the partners' oversexed wife (Marsha Mason).Sort of combining the plots of "Casablanca" and "The Maltese Falcon" and referencing other classics as well, "The Cheap Detective" does lose some momentum along the way, but there is always good Simon dialogue to look forward to, and the picture is nicely shot in widescreen by John A. Alonzo. The picture takes place in WWII era San Francisco, and has a great look going for it. What's especially funny is the way that Peckinpaugh must juggle the various lovely ladies who take an interest in him.The various guest stars are all tremendous fun, but this viewer was particularly entertained by Dom DeLuises' riotous Peter Lorre parody. In supporting roles and bits, you can see the likes of Carmine Caridi, James Cromwell, Scatman Crothers (sending up Dooley Wilson in "Casablanca"), David Ogden Stiers, Vic Tayback, and Jonathan Banks.This begins nicely, with some atmospheric opening credits, and has a bright and funny wrap up involving Lou and his ladies.Seven out of 10.

Neil Simon and director Robert Moore followed up their 1976 triumph Murder by Death with an on-target jab at the film noir genre and of the work of Humphrey Bogart in particular with The Cheap Detective, a lavishly produced comedy that takes place in 1940's San Francisco and involves treasure, Nazis and other varied mysteries encountered by private eye Lou Peckinpaugh (Peter Falk), who is basically just a retread of Falk's character in Murder by Death but no one channels Bogart better than Falk and film audiences ate it up, making it one of 1978's biggest hits.Needless to say, Falk has the Bogart thing down to a science and, like Murder by Death, he is backed up by an impressive supporting cast including Eileen Brennan, Ann-Margret, Sid Ceasar, Dom DeLuise, Stockard Channing, Madeline Kahn, James Coco, Phil Silvers, John Houseman, and, of course, Mrs. Neil Simon at the time, Marsha Mason.Simon's screenplay for The Cheap Detective is a little more complex than Murder by Death, but Moore mounts it on a lavish canvas and draws performances from the all-star cast that don't just entertain, they serve the story. But be assured that Simon cements his position as king of the cinematic one-liner and this very talented cast and director deliver the goods.

Hilarious spoof of Bogart's iconic roles. The jibes fly fast and furious, so best to keep a scorecard. I love it when Madelyn Kahn (I think) keeps piling on the aliases one after another in true mystery woman fashion. Frankly, I had trouble telling all the women apart, what with their big hats from the 1940's. Then there're all these great impersonations of iconic characters like Lorre and Greenstreet, only here they're "Damascus" and "Blubber". And get a load of fall-guy Paul Williams slapping himself silly in true Elisha Cook fashion. Okay, I'll probably never be able to watch Casablanca (1942) or The Maltese Falcon (1941) the same way again, but it's probably worth it. Anyway, the spoof's an iconoclastic treat for old movie fans, that is, if you don't mind seeing movie gods lampooned a bit for a good laugh.

I found this movie to be extremely funny. The movie is loaded with iconic actors. It parodies several Bogart films with great humor. The dialogue's are sometimes a little obtuse if you don't know which movies they are coming from. Mostly older film noir movies before a lot of people were born. Peter Falk gets the lead here and is very good as a Bogie impersonator. Several women come and go through out the film, always interacting with Falk and they supply a lot of the funny lines and lead ins. There are just so many actors in this that I could probably fill the line requirement just listing them but I think Madeline Kahn, John Houseman, and Dom DeLuise deserve a mention. At the end it is learned that all the bodies are the result of one widow's (after she kills her husband) poor shooting. She is trying to bump off the women who come in contact with Falk and shoots like a blind person.