The Private Eyes

1980
PG
1h 31m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

3.8K

YOUR RATING

Scotland Yard sends a goofy pair to check on foul play at a mansion outside 1920s London.

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Bumbling Detective Parody Comedy Mystery

Scotland Yard sends a goofy pair to check on foul play at a mansion outside 1920s London.Scotland Yard sends a goofy pair to check on foul play at a mansion outside 1920s London.Scotland Yard sends a goofy pair to check on foul play at a mansion outside 1920s London.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

3.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
There was a sequel planned, which would have centered around Inspector Winship and Dr. Tart trying to find the Wookalar that appears at the end of the film.

Goofs
When Dr. Tart reads the line "By the way, you're standing in bull ca-ca," the dialogue is clearly dubbed in, and one can tell by watching his lips that Dr. Tart was saying "you're standing in bullsh..." (it's not clear whether he finished the swear or broke off).

Quotes
Dr. Tart: [reading the tombstone engraved by Tibet's killer] To dig your own grave, is quite a sight. But to bury yourself, is not very bright. There are more to kill, and the job'll be done. Now there are five, soon there'll be a lot less.

Crazy credits
During the main title sequence, the cartoon version of Inspector Winship (the Don Knotts character) is blowing on a tuba when the music credit comes up. The director of photography's name appears when two flashlight beams cross.

Alternate versions
The television version which first aired in the early '80s included an extra scene, set in the dining room of Morley Manor. Inspector Winship and Dr. Tart switch identities trying to fool Mistress Phyllis and her staff.

Connections
Featured in Sneak Previews: The Postman Always Rings Twice/All Night Long/Galaxina/Back Roads/Private Eyes (1981)

User reviews46

Featured review

10/10

My favorite comedy since I was 8

I saw this movie for the first time when I was eight years old, and loved it from the start. Even though at the time I wasn't old enough to get all the jokes, It still had a magic around it that was clearly evident.

Tim Conway and Don Knotts provide the comic base, and are excellent comic partners. They are backed up with great performances by the crazy and somewhat odd "staff" of the couple who's murder they are investigating. This one will have you laughing from start to finish. The comedy is also good, clean humor that the entire family can laugh at.

Another great thing is that the movie also is very suspenseful, as you the viewer don't know everything until the private eyes find it out.