IMDb RATING
6.5/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
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.
Russi Taylor
- Doll Voice
- (voice)
Barney Rosner
- Wookalar
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Any movie that features Don Knotts as a brilliant detective and Tim Conway as his faithful assistant certainly has courage going for it.
But "Private Eyes" is better than you might expect; the setting (Biltmore Castle) is beautiful, the supporting cast (Fox in particular) is hilarious and a lot, if not all, of the gags are priceless.
Then again, what would you expect from Knotts' above-it-all air of pseudo-intelligence and Conway's endless pratfalls and an overcoat full of pigeons (don't ask)? They're two of the old-school comedians who know what's funny and never try to go further than the jokes will go.
"Private Eyes" works because Knotts and Conway are, more or less, just being themselves. Definitely a film worth seeking out.
You'll laugh. Trust me.
Seven stars. And don't drink the ink.
But "Private Eyes" is better than you might expect; the setting (Biltmore Castle) is beautiful, the supporting cast (Fox in particular) is hilarious and a lot, if not all, of the gags are priceless.
Then again, what would you expect from Knotts' above-it-all air of pseudo-intelligence and Conway's endless pratfalls and an overcoat full of pigeons (don't ask)? They're two of the old-school comedians who know what's funny and never try to go further than the jokes will go.
"Private Eyes" works because Knotts and Conway are, more or less, just being themselves. Definitely a film worth seeking out.
You'll laugh. Trust me.
Seven stars. And don't drink the ink.
I admit that this is not a movie that will be sung about by generations to come, but if you like Tim Conway and Don Knotts together (or your sense of humor is from the old Carol Burnette Show) then this one is for you. As a team, these two clearly have advanced slapstick and very much kept it alive. When I watch this I have come close to losing bladder control and at the least have broke down into tears of laughter. This movie isn't meant for kids but clearly the whole family can enjoy (sorta like Rocky&Bullwinkle). If you just want to laugh your butt off for 90 minutes and forget about life for a while, the The Private Eyes is just want you want.
This is a wonderfully silly movie with just the right amount of "eek!" to delight even the youngest viewer. Don Knotts and Tim Conway are perfect as the bumbling detectives sent to crack the case, and the "Wookilar" is beyond funny. Truly a masterpiece....maybe. If you like them silly this is the movie for you.
I first saw this movie about nine years ago. It was loaned to my younger brother by his friend. I never saw this movie again because my brother's friend (and the movie) left town. After months of searching movie rental locations, with no progress, I decided to try Amazon.com to find this hilarious comedy. I'm very happy to say that "The Private Eyes" movie was FOUND! When I told John(my brother) that I had found "The Private Eyes" movie(on VHS & DVD)he immediately ordered two of these Don Knotts & Tim Conway classics. We've never laughed so much!!! Thank You so much Amazon.com. P.S. I would like to know if Lang Elliot would consider or did consider making a sequel.
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.
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.
Did you know
- TriviaThere 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.
- GoofsWhen 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).
- Crazy creditsDuring 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 versionsThe 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.
- How long is The Private Eyes?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Privatdeckarna
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $18,014,000
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content