It has almost ALL the cliches of the Old Hollywood detective/drama movies thrown in to a great parody. I was always a Peter Falk fan, starting as a kid. I am 65.

As the movie industry keeps trying to move us forward. I prefer to go backward to a simpler time. This was no worse then anything we have today.💙

I don't think it's as funny as murder by death but it's pretty good. Peter Falk is brilliant at everything.

Everyone in this cast was an accomplished, acknowledged actor. Some to become more famous in time. The best part is how no one had an ego problem to play in something so... satirical. Even the little blonde guy at the end is Paul Williams who was a Grammy winning Hall of Famer songwriter/composer. SO COOL. I was only 8 when this came out but I can appreciate it now.

I have finally decided that this is now one of my favourite Peter Falk films!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

The photo used to promote this movie is not "The Cheap Detective." It's from "Murder By Death."

It's incredible the amount of talent and SLaP stick they have crammed into one movie hilarious 😂

This is the wrong front cover scene its from Murder by Death.

Madeleine Kahn is unmistakable even in the dark and only speaking. She is missed. R.I.P.

Genius movie best watched when slightly tipsy. One of the funniest satirical, deadpan comedies ever that spawned a whole genre of them.

why oh why don't movies get made like this anymore?? we're stuck with remakes and comicbook characters in long drawn out backstories.

I loved this guy Peter Falk. The Columbo series were fantastic. Yes may his soul RIP.

They seriously dont make these clever movies anymore. They are hilarious without being crude or raunchy.

WOW, this is a star studded movie!! Love these.....don't make 'em like this anymore. Tongue in cheek, fast dialogue, so many twists and turns, and sight gags.......

How long ago did they leave your apartment? They didn't leave they're right here listening in... I couldn't help but crack up at that!!!

This is a brilliant spoof of 1940s 1950s detective movies with that classic style.. the acting, wardrobe in settings are perfect. And the comedy writing is on point. Just a brilliant movie

You absolutely cannot go wrong with lines heard in here like: "...you come in here with your bedroom eyes and your dining room lips..." OMG! So many grins :-)

I love having access to just good ole movies without an agenda and which is meant to just entertain.

A great Sunday afternoon film my wife hates it but it cracks me up every time.

Dear Peter Falk, R.I.P.! 🤗

Can't believe I've never heard of this movie before. Outstanding 😂

this is not Murder by Death, that is another film entirely. This is a Neil Simon story which uses bits of famous detective novels of the 30's and 40's, including Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, and The Big Sleep.

1 Why have I never seen this? The sets...! The acting...! The goils...!!

Hilarious. I think Peter Faulk was a handsome man. The NYC accent added to the flavor 😂😂😂😂

This is a lot of fun. Kinda like Police Squad meets Dead Men Don't wear Plaid 😄

This is a fun movie, but the picture in the thumbnail is from Murder by Death, with Peter Falk and an incredible cast including comedians and David Niven and Maggie Smith and others. In any event, thank you for posting The Cheap Detective.

It's common for movies to flag in the second half and end weakly. This one actually gained momentum and ended well. Some scenes and jokes were better than others but I think I'll be back to watch it again someday. I give it 3½ stars. Thanks, Reel Films.

Of course the girls run off with the movie - hands down.........even if there's plenty of jokes to go for all around...... Madeline Kahn/Eileen Brennan/ Ann-margret /Stockard Channing/ Louise Fletcher/MarshaMason what a club.

What a great cast! Falk picks up the phone and points his gun -- and says he was thinking about her... 🤣

Now I feel like watching Murder by Death.

Perfect combo of wit & humor with the absurd. My kind of comedy. Mom & Dad would've had this among their few comedies. Don't think they ever saw it.

I've always loved this movie....and what a cast. All old pros who know comedy....

I'm loving it, makes me laugh, and remember the original movies, before my time ,but I watched them anyway, so now I'm over 70, and I'm still enjoying this. And much more!😊

A lot of great actors involved in this movie .

I love a good spoof detective film ❤

I can image how many times they broke character making this spoof. I am glad I found it.

Can't believe I never saw this! WHAT a romp! Great cast, great script, great tongue-in-cheek, wink--wink, nudge-nudge at one of the all-time greatest movies EV-ER! Loved it!

If you don't know Bogart's films, many of these gags escape you. Excellent spoof! Marsha Mason would never again look as good as she did in this movie.

Does Peter Falk not steal an ash tray in every movie he is in or what?

😂😂 this movie is so funny 😂 makes me happy to see all these fantastic Hollywood actors and actresses 🥰 Those were great times 🥰

I was all ready for a reasonably serious movie, with a bit of Peter Falk quirkiness maybe; then I saw the guy standing there with a bullet hole in his head, still on the phone ... 🤣 Never seen this, but glad I found it. Love a good spoof!

The exchanges in this movie are the funniest ever! Great film, top notch actors. Much enjoyed. Thx!

Tin tin + Columbo + Mash + Other. What a combination !. All out of place. Thanks Dave

Great cast. Great movie. Thanx.

What a hoot!!! I got COVID for Christmas, and this is day 3 of bed rest. This movie popped up at just the right time. Thanks so much. I nearly fell off the bed kaughing

Hello Georgia. I just had you on my mind.😂😂

an Absolute Classic in comedy 😄😂😆🤣 Brilliant one liners and Definitely getting saved for future viewing, Full Star Rating.👍

Loved the advertising, I bought 6 of everything!

DOES 500 DOLLARS INTEREST YOU ??-THEN BRING IT,-IT'S AN "EXPENSIVE RESTURANT"--(I have to use that one day !!)--BRILLIANT--!!

Film is genius.

i love this movie, especially knowing peter falk was most well known for columbo/

Thanks for the movie, just what I needed today 🙂

Talk about a star studed cast! Wow! Great movie!

Saw this years ago , still hilarious.

I laughed throughout the entire movie. Funny good!

Love watching a movie like this

Hoppy, the driver in the last scene who has one line and a bit of knowing mugging for the camera, was played by Phil Silvers. Bit players got more lines and more screen time than he did! Apparently, the problem was Silvers had suffered a stroke and was left with slurred speech.

No sense crying over spilt husband's 🤣😂 what an hilarious movie

Loved this! I think the script is funnier than The Naked Gun.

Thank you so much for this! It made my Christmas! I had never even heard of it before and I'm always looking for new comedies because I've seen so many that I sometimes run out of options - the world full of crap comedies. This one is on a par with 'Airplane!' Thanks again - I will always be indebted to you for this. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

the older i get the less patience i have, but u gotta love the best detective of all time. oh, and one more thing before i go... lol. love that line.

this is the best Columbo episode

Even comedy was good back in the day. Well written, stellar cast and great fun made out of the detective movies.

Why are people saying this is Murder By Death? It is called The Cheap Detective, I even Googled it, because I wanted to see all the actors in it, it's from 1978, but the other movie was from 1976, it too has Peter Falk, Eileen Brennan, James Coco and James Cromwell, and both was made by Neil Simon, and is a comedy too, but they are still two different movies. It also has Peter Sellers, Maggie Smith and David Niven, among others. Though I can kind of understand, since this channel used a scene from Murder By Death as the thumbnail, for some reason, but if you watch this movie, you should know it's not Murder By Death, if you know that movie at all, that is. Anyway, I really enjoyed this movie, it's a lot of fun, and very funny, I had never seen it before today! It's funny also because of Peter Falk being known for playing Columbo for years on tv and in a few movies. I do wish I could find Murder By Death to watch for free too, but KZfaq, and others has it, but only to rent, which figures!

How have I never seen this silly movie? That was fun.

Reading comments i think you have to know the genre to understand the references or the movie isn't funny. Like watching Scream having never seen a horror movie. I'm a huge Bogart fan, and enjoyed it immensely.

Roger Ebert wrote “Does the movie work? Let me put it this way. If you loved “The Maltese Falcon” and can recite all the best lines from “Casablanca” by heart, you'll hate “The Cheap Detective,” which is basically just the year's classiest and most expensive rip-off.” But don’t listen to that tumor faced freak - this movie is fantastic!

Peter Falk was in Ann-Margret's first film. Pocketful of Miracles. By Capra!

A great parody of Casablanca with some Maltese Falcon thrown in. Thank you! It's been a really long time since I saw it. Not Murder By Death, as expected, but just as good.

Casablanca meets The Maltese Falcon. Highly entertaining, Columbo a good choice.

Oh what a fun watch, the ensemble cast work well together. Thank you.

The very first ridiculous joke has me hooked..... And the last time I saw the guy delivering it, he was being shot to pieces in The Godfather

the thumbnail image is not from this film but from Murder by Death (1976).

I laughed all the way through.🤣

Funny! Star filled. Peter Falk is great, as usual.

"Watch it ! Watch it !...you're spilling Floyd ! " 😂😂

Why haven't I known about this film before? IT'S BRILLIANT!!!!

This is brilliant, absolutely brilliant, a laugh a minute, made my evening

Lost Madeline Kahn too soon.

remember watching this as a kid!! amazing cast and bloody good movie

The great Madeleine Kahn! Worth it just to see her.

Those 2 kids would be alive today. 😅. Pulls a martini outa his desk drawer!😊 Such a great movie. Bohgart would be proud.

I loved this movie! 😂❤

I love this movie! Seen it three times.

Pater Falk pulls off a fantastic Humphrey Bogart accent :)

Madeline Kahn was the sexiest comedienne of her time. Maybe the sexiest real comedienne ever to me. Madeline and Eileen Brennan were just amazing during this era. Eileen was the murder mystery comedy queen beating Madeline by one. Theyre both in this movie and they both were in my favorite movie of all time, Clue. But Eileen was also Sam Diamonds (Colombo/Falk) gal friday in Murder By Death - the thumbnail pic movie.. Ryan Reynolds is supposed to be deveolping a Clue remake Im hopin that happens. We need this genre makin feature films again. IMO.

I never knew nurse Ratched had star quality.

this was such a charming movie.

Madness, just loved it thanks putting it up

1977 movie "the Cheap Detective" by Niel Simon starring a masterful cast including Peter Falk and Madelyn Khan. Prepare yourself for the brand of comedy Niel Simon is well known for.

Aren’t you going to light my fire 🔥? I was just noticing your kindling

"The Maltese Falcon" rides again.

This is a ball. Such a fun script.

Peter Faulk, unbelievably funny. The laughter kept building until I had to declare an interval to get the strength to laugh some more. Taking liberties with the English language as in 'Pass the buck' which is American anyway !!

I have a little inkling that I've seen this long ago, but now I've got it watched it twice in a role and it's even funnier the second time 🤣😂🤣❤️

I don't know how they managed to keep straight faces 😅.

I'm guessing due to copyright issues you can't use the real name of the film. It's still hilarious with so much "tongue in cheek" comedy. I still love this film nearly 5 decades later. 😅

great spoof of Casablanca and other favorites, great cast, if you are in the mood for silly fun watch it

HILARIOUS!!!😂🤣

I really enjoyed it,starcast Peter Falk and my favorite Madeline Kahn she left as to soon.