The Private Eyes (1980)

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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)

Barney Rosner

Wookalar
(uncredited)

Director
- Lang Elliott
Writers
- Tim Conway
- John Myhers
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

OK, so maybe "The Private Eyes" is sort of a rehash of "Murder by Death", but it's still a laugh riot. It's essentially what would happen if Laurel & Hardy or Gilligan & the Skipper were detectives investigating a murder in an English mansion. In this case, Don Knotts is the irascible straight man and Tim Conway is his dimwitted assistant, looking into the killing of some aristocrats in a possibly haunted estate. The entire movie is basically an excuse for a series of gags, some clever and some cheap. It certainly made me laugh. As for the obvious plot holes...well, it's just a movie.

Yes, there's nothing special about the movie, but I still liked it. Also starring Trisha Noble, Bernard Fox (Dr. Bombay on "Bewitched"), Grace Zabriskie, Irwin Keyes and Suzy Mandel.

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Trailer 2:09

Official Trailer

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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.