The Cheap Detective: Structured Chaos or Just...Cheap?

Okay, so I finally got around to watching "The Cheap Detective." I've heard mixed things, mostly that it's not quite "Blazing Saddles" level Mel Brooks, but worth a watch. And yeah, I'd say that's about right. My main thing is always pacing and structure, and this one... it's BUSY. Like, really busy. The sheer number of gags thrown at the wall is kinda insane. Some land, some... thud more than anything. What I found interesting, though, is that the chaos almost feels deliberate? Like, the movie itself is mimicking the feeling of a detective story spinning out of control, where every clue leads to five more confusing ones. The whole 'multiple dames, multiple murder suspects' thing is cranked up to 11. And Peter Falk? He's great, obviously. But I think the structure leans heavily on him keeping things (relatively) grounded while everything else is falling apart around him. He is the glue keeping the film together. Plus, the way they cram in references to other movies is kinda genius, if over-the-top. It's not just the Casablanca stuff – it's hints of The Maltese Falcon, even some bits that feel like subtle nods to other noir films. It's a layers of spoofing, like a comedic onion. Not sure if that makes it brilliant or just an overstuffed suitcase of jokes, honestly. Worth a watch for the commitment to the bit, but I wish it had a little more breathing room. Ultimately, is it a comedy classic? Nah, maybe not. But as a study in controlled comedic anarchy, it's kinda fascinating. I do think that without Falk, the movie would have fallen apart completely. I'm curious to see what others thought about the pacing, because I feel like the whole joke is that it never stops.