Every ancient joke falls with a muffled thud as Knotts and Conway ham their way through the pointless story: The lord and lady of a capacious manor are killed, and the lord’s ghost seems to have returned to knock off the staff one by one. Editorial review of The Private Eyes co-starring Don Knotts and Tim Conway, courtesy of ĭon Knotts and Tim Conway star in The Private Eyes, a 1980 comedy about two bumbling detectives solving a murder. For a different opinion, check out the editorial review from below.
Gene Siskel described it as “A Perfect Saturday Matinee,” and I tend to agree with him. It’s not one of the classic comedies of the 20th Century, but it’s certainly an enjoyable 90 minutes. Tart (played with mindless abandon by Tim Conway) to solve the murder of Lord Morely, the plot begins to resemble “ Ten Little Indians” as people are killed off, one by one, with a not-quite-rhyming note left behind by the murderer. Called from Scotland Yard, Inspector Winthrop (played by Don Knotts), and his bumbling assistant Dr. Don Knotts and Tim Conway co-star in The Private Eyes – a silly little comedy where they spoof the murder mystery in general, and Sherlock Holmes in particular.
