The Private Eyes

Dr. Tart

Inspector Winship

Mistress Phyllis Morley

Justin

Nanny

Mr. Uwatsum

Jock

Hilda

Lord Morley

Lady Morley

Gas Station Attendant

Roy

Doll Voice (voice)

The film was one of a number of pictures, mostly comedies, made and released between the mid-1970s and mid-1980s, that revived the old dark house mansion movie. The films include Clue (1985), Haunted Honeymoon (1986), Neil Simon's Murder by Death (1976), The Spiral Staircase (1975), The Private Eyes (1980), The Cat and the Canary (1978), House of the Long Shadows (1983) and Kenny Everett's Bloodbath at the House of Death (1984).

First ever film released by Tri-Star Pictures.

Peter Matz was the musical director on The Carol Burnett Show (1967) and agreed to compose the score for the film as a favor to Tim Conway.

When Tart and Winship spy on Phyllis through the eyes of the painting, they slide pieces of wood away from the openings. When they finish, the sliding piece is gone from Tart's position.

When they were meeting with Phylis, the time gun went off in Inspector Winship's coat, putting a big bullet hole in the back of it. Later in the movie, the hole is gone.

The acid in the tea is supposedly strong enough to dissolve a teaspoon, yet Inspector Winship doesn't feel it when it spills over his fingers.

Dr. Tart: [reading the note from Uwatsum's killer] In this house, it's hard to survive. Some'll be dead, who are now alive. Mr. Uwatsum is gone, 'cause he knew too much. Bye for now, but rest assured we'll keep in constant contact with each other.

Justin: This is Inspector Winship and Dr. Tart. They were in the yard.

Mr. Uwatsum: How about a nice bowl of fish eyes?