The Private Eyes

The Private Eyes

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MEMORIES:

endurance endurance remembers...
Very much in line with the old Abbott and Costello movies.Conway and Knotts were very funny.I remember them being obsessed ...  More »

Cast:

Dr. Tart...Tim Conway
Inspector Winship...Don Knotts
Mistress Phyllis Morley...Trisha Noble
Justin...Bernard Fox
Nanny...Grace Zabriskie
Mr. Uwatsum...John Fujioka
Tibet...Stan Ross
Jock...Irwin Keyes
Hilda...Suzy Mandel
Lord Morley...Fred Stuthman
Lady Morley...Mary Nell Santacroce
Gas Station Attendant...Robert V. Barron
Roy...Patrick Cranshaw
Doll Voice...Russi Taylor

Studio:

Lang Elliot - Wanda Dell, New World, Tri-Star

Release History:

1980 - The Private Eyes
The tried and true duo of Tim Conway and Don Knotts would pair up one last time in a Disney film, in the 1981 feature, The Private Eyes – giving the two funnymen plenty of opportunities to showcase their often-nervous, always-bumbling brand of comedic talents once again, this time around as Scotland Yard inspectors.

Don Knotts, certainly no stranger to haunted houses (having a memorable encounter with one in the 1965 film, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken) stars as Inspector Winship, who along with his assistant, Dr. Tart (Conway) is sent to investigate the murders of two wealthy Brits, Lord and Lady Morley, who expired in a house purported to be haunted.

Upon arriving, they find a friendly ally in the Morley’s daughter, Phyllis, but the staff at the house - which includes a tongue-less butler, a samurai chef and a busty maid - proves to be far less welcoming. Further complicating matters, the staff begin disappearing one by one, and when it comes to a suspect, the two bumbling inspectors finds themselves clueless.

An overcoat stuffed with pigeons, acid tea and a collection of clues that almost, but don’t quite, rhyme are just some of the memorable moments, along with a catchy hit song provided by Hall and Oates. The Private Eyes would, of course, mark the end of an era for the comedy duo that had given so many laughs in films like The Apple Dumpling Gang and The Prize Fighter. Thankfully, their films live on, allowing future generations to enjoy their zany performances for years to come.    


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