In San Francisco, California, one victim in a mass murder is a police detective. His partner and a new partner investigate in the city's seamy side.
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Title: The Laughing Policeman (1973)
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Walter Matthau | ... | Jake Martin | |
| Bruce Dern | ... | Larsen | |
| Louis Gossett Jr. | ... | Larrimore (as Lou Gossett) | |
| Albert Paulsen | ... | Camerero | |
| Anthony Zerbe | ... | Steiner | |
| Val Avery | ... | Pappas | |
| Cathy Lee Crosby | ... | Kay | |
| Mario Gallo | ... | Bobby Mow | |
| Joanna Cassidy | ... | Monica | |
 |
Shirley Ballard | ... | Grace |
|
|
William Hansen | ... | Schwermer |
|
|
Don Borisenko | ... | Collins (as Jonas Wolfe) |
| Paul Koslo | ... | Haygood | |
|
|
Louis Guss | ... | Gus Niles |
| Frances Lee McCain | ... | Prostitute (as Lee McCain) | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
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Storyline
A policeman is among the victims when the passengers of a late-night bus are machine-gunned. With only one semi- conscious survivor and no other witnesses, the detectives try to learn from the identities of the dead why this happened and who the killer could be. Climax includes excellent chase. Written by David Carroll <davidc@atom.ansto.gov.au>
Plot Keywords:
mass murder | massacre | police procedural | bus station | hare krishna |Taglines:
This movie is so real it makes every other movie in this town look like a movie. See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
23 January 1974 (Sweden) See more »Also Known As:
An Investigation of a Murder See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$2,280,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Played on the radio in the car
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
According to Bruce Dern's autobiography, it was Walter Matthau's idea to have Dern, known mainly as a character actor, share top billing with him for this film, a gesture, for which, Dern was most grateful. See more »Goofs
The Anthony Zerbe character is Lieutenant "Styner" according to his desk nameplate, but "Steiner" in the closing credits. See more »Quotes
Insp. Leo Larsen SFPD: [When a heroin dealer trades information for a reduced sentence] I hope you're not jerking us, Haygood. Cause if you are, by the time you come back, smack'll be legal. Know what I mean?See more »
Connections
Referenced in Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the '70s (2012) See more »Soundtracks
Serenade in Blue(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Played on the radio in the car
See more »
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Not as bad as the other comments would suggest, "The Laughing Policeman" is a police procedural mystery that lacks the spark of great thriller genre films. What this does have is some very good acting, especially from the lead players, and a decent script with interesting characters. The plot does get a little convoluted near the end and the action is inspired by better films, but it is worth a watch. I'd give it a mild recomendation.