The Private Eyes (1981)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Lang Elliott

Writers:

Tim Conway (writer)
John Myhers (writer)

Release Date:

17 April 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Mystery

Plot:

This spoof of the Sherlock Holmes stories finds Inspector Winship and Dr. Tart investigating a strange death in a possibly haunted mansion...

Plot Keywords:

Sherlock Holmes | Spoof | Murder | Pigeon | Secret Tunnel

Cast

Tim Conway	...	Dr. Tart
Don Knotts	...	Inspector Winship
Trisha Noble	...	Mistress Phyllis Morley
Bernard Fox	...	Justin
Grace Zabriskie	...	Nanny
John Fujioka	...	Mr. Uwatsum
Stan Ross	...	Tibet
Irwin Keyes	...	Jock
Suzy Mandel	...	Hilda
Fred Stuthman	...	Lord Morley
Mary Nell Santacroce	...	Lady Morley
Robert V. Barron	...	Gas Station Attendant
Patrick Cranshaw	...	Roy
Russi Taylor	...	Doll Voice (voice)

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:LH | Finland:K-12 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Company:

The Private Eyes Partners Limited

Trivia:

When the Shadow rolls a bomb toward the detectives in the secret passage, Dr. Tart says, "We must be near a bowling alley." He's right: there is indeed a bowling alley inside the Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina, where this movie was filmed.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: It is revealed that Jock's tongue was cut out after he tried to steal a ruby. However, Jock opens his mouth later on, and his tongue is clearly visible. Also, Jock's speech, while slurred and garbled, can be understood if one listens closely. Someone who had his tongue cut off wouldn't be able to form spoken words of any kind.

Quotes:

Dr. Tart: [reading the note from Jock's killer] If Jock could talk, he'd give you a clue. But now that he's dead, what can you do? He deserved what he got, I don't regret it a bit. By the way, you're standing in bull ca-ca.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 100 Years of Comedy (1997) (V)

Classic creepy comedy...A must see

This one is a long time favorite of mine. Don Knotts and Tim Conway are utterly hilarious in this comedy whodunit. Knotts and Conway are two investigators called in from Scotland Yard to investigate the death of Lord and Lady Morely, two wealthy British aristocrats. The supporting cast (who one by one mysteriously get knocked off and disappear from the house) which consists of the hired help at the Morely's home are equally hysterical and formidable catalysts to Knotts and Conway's humor. The next time you're at the video store looking for some light, funny fare, check this one out. It's well worth the rental.