
The Cheap Detective(1978)
“He knows every cheap trick, cheap joke, cheap shot and cheap dame in the book.”
Overview
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.
Director
Robert Moore
Studio
Columbia Pictures
Cast

Peter Falk
as Lou Peckinpaugh

Ann-Margret
as Jezebel Dezire

Eileen Brennan
as Betty DeBoop

Sid Caesar
as Ezra Dezire

Stockard Channing
as Bess

James Coco
as Marcel

Dom DeLuise
as Pepe Damascus

Louise Fletcher
as Marlene DuChard

John Houseman
as Jasper Blubber

Madeline Kahn
as Mrs. Montenegro

Fernando Lamas
as Paul DuChard

Marsha Mason
as Georgia Merkle
Where to Watch
Availability may vary by region. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Movie Facts
Release Year
1978
Runtime
1h 32m
Language
English
Rating
6.4 / 10
Production Companies
Columbia Pictures • EMI Films • Rastar Productions
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Cheap Detective?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for The Cheap Detective (1978).
What is The Cheap Detective about?▼
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.
Who directed The Cheap Detective?▼
The Cheap Detective was directed by Robert Moore and released in 1978. It is a comedy, crime, mystery film.
How long is The Cheap Detective?▼
The Cheap Detective has a runtime of 1 hours and 32 minutes (92 minutes total).
Who stars in The Cheap Detective?▼
The cast of The Cheap Detective includes Peter Falk as Lou Peckinpaugh, Ann-Margret as Jezebel Dezire, Eileen Brennan as Betty DeBoop, Sid Caesar as Ezra Dezire, Stockard Channing as Bess and more.
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