The Cheap Detective poster
Where to stream

The Cheap Detective

6.319781h 32mPGMovieComedyCrimeMystery

A spoof of the entire 1940s detective genre. San Francisco private detective, Lou Pekinpaugh is accused of murdering his partner at the instigation of his mistress—his partner's wife.

DirectorRobert Moore
WriterNeil Simon
ProducerRay Stark

Where to watch

Howdy Amazon ChannelHowdy Amazon ChannelTubi TVTubi TV
Availability shown for United States · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Robert Moore

PFPeter Falk
Peter Falk
Lou Peckinpaugh
AAnn-Margret
Ann-Margret
Jezebel Dezire
EBEileen Brennan
Eileen Brennan
Betty DeBoop
SCSid Caesar
Sid Caesar
Ezra Dezire
SCStockard Channing
Stockard Channing
Bess
JCJames Coco
James Coco
Marcel
DDDom DeLuise
Dom DeLuise
Pepe Damascus
LFLouise Fletcher
Louise Fletcher
Marlene DuChard
JHJohn Houseman
John Houseman
Jasper Blubber
MKMadeline Kahn
Madeline Kahn
Mrs. Montenegro
FLFernando Lamas
Fernando Lamas
Paul DuChard
MMMarsha Mason
Marsha Mason
Georgia Merkle

More from Peter Falk · Lead actor

Columbo
Columbo
1971 · 8.1
Wagon Train
Wagon Train
1957 · 6.6
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
1962 · 7.9
The Larry Sanders Show
The Larry Sanders Show
1992 · 7.7
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
1959 · 8.5
Dr. Kildare
Dr. Kildare
1961 · 5.7
Robert Montgomery Presents
Robert Montgomery Presents
1950 · 6.0
The Untouchables
The Untouchables
1959 · 8.0
Studio One
Studio One
1948 · 5.4
Have Gun, Will Travel
Have Gun, Will Travel
1957 · 7.3
See all fromPeter Falk

More from Ann-Margret · Co-star actress

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999 · 8.0
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000 · 7.6
Third Watch
Third Watch
1999 · 7.9
The Flintstones
The Flintstones
1960 · 7.4
Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel
1994 · 7.2
Army Wives
Army Wives
2007 · 7.5
Dinah!
Dinah!
1974 · 7.0
Here's Lucy
Here's Lucy
1968 · 6.7
The Jack Benny Program
The Jack Benny Program
1950 · 7.8
Scarlett
Scarlett
1994 · 6.6
See all fromAnn-Margret

More from Robert Moore · Director

The Bob Newhart Show
The Bob Newhart Show
1972 · 7.5
Rhoda
Rhoda
1974 · 6.3
Murder by Death
Murder by Death
1976 · 7.1
Thursday's Game
Thursday's Game
1974 · 6.5
Chapter Two
Chapter Two
1979 · 5.9
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
1976 · 5.0
They're Playing Our Song
They're Playing Our Song
1979
See all fromRobert Moore

More like this

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1998 · 6.3
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2025 · 6.6
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The Naked Gun
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The Big Fix
The Big Fix
1978 · 5.8
High Anxiety
High Anxiety
1977 · 6.4
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
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1993 · 6.1
Foul Play
Foul Play
1978 · 6.3
Johnny Dangerously
Johnny Dangerously
1984 · 6.3
Thirteen at Dinner
Thirteen at Dinner
1985 · 5.9
Shadow of the Thin Man
Shadow of the Thin Man
1941 · 7.0

The Cheap Detective — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams The Cheap Detective?

The Cheap Detective is streaming on Howdy and Tubi TV in United States, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is The Cheap Detective on Netflix?

No, The Cheap Detective is not on Netflix in United States as of September 2026. It's currently on Howdy and Tubi TV.

Is The Cheap Detective on Amazon Prime Video?

The Cheap Detective isn't included with a Prime Video subscription in United States, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where can I watch The Cheap Detective for free?

The Cheap Detective is available to stream free (with ads) on Tubi TV in United States.