IMDb >
The Detective (1968)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThe Detective (1968) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 8 | slideshow) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
28 May 1968 (USA) morePlot:
Police detective Joe Leland investigates the murder of a homosexual man. While investigating, he discovers... more | add synopsisNewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Boom! Studios Target Die Hard: Year One (From HollywoodNorthReport.com. 29 June 2009, 12:48 AM, PDT)
John McClane's Die Hard Prequel- August 2009
(From HollywoodNorthReport.com. 29 May 2009, 3:55 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Big Town Corruption moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Frank Sinatra | ... | Det. Sgt. Joe Leland | |
| Lee Remick | ... | Karen Wagner Leland | |
| Ralph Meeker | ... | Curran | |
| Jack Klugman | ... | Dave Schoenstein | |
| Horace McMahon | ... | Capt. Tom Farrell | |
| Lloyd Bochner | ... | Dr. Wendell Roberts | |
| William Windom | ... | Colin MacIver | |
| Tony Musante | ... | Felix Tesla | |
| Al Freeman Jr. | ... | Robbie Loughlin | |
| Robert Duvall | ... | Nestor | |
| Pat Henry | ... | Mercidis | |
| Patrick McVey | ... | Police Officer Mike Tanner | |
| Dixie Marquis | ... | Carol Linjack | |
| Sugar Ray Robinson | ... | Kelly | |
| Renée Taylor | ... | Rachael Schoenstein |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
114 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)Certification:
Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating) | Singapore:PG | West Germany:18 (f) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:ApprovedFun Stuff
Goofs:
Continuity: When Joe leaves his apartment to go to Dave's apartment he leaves his hat behind. But when he leaves Dave's apartment he has his hat. moreSoundtrack:
Again moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Detective (1968)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Prequel to Die Hard | Grimlocksnewbrain |
| Racist Robert Duvall line cut from DVD release? | BillFenner1967 |
| Saving budget money | hankmcn |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Lady in Cement | King of New York | Kiss the Girls | Sharky's Machine | The Talented Mr. Ripley |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Crime section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |









In this film done one year before the Stonewall Riots we get a picture of corruption and homophobia in the NYPD. The Detective should be required viewing for those who want to know about the days before Stonewall when as a people we were subject to routine abuse and violence.
A nude man is found murdered in his apartment which usually spells one thing, a homicide with gay overtones. Such an occurrence allows the police to be more brutal than usual all in the pursuit of a killer.
Back in those days it's hard for people today to believe how bars that catered to gay people were the subject of random police raids, usually because the cops didn't get their payoffs. In those days just being in one of those places could constitute an arrest for disorderly conduct and if you touched a member of the same sex and not necessarily in a sexual way that could land you in jail for some time, unless you had the money to pay your way out.
A man's been killed and suspicion falls on a street punk played by Tony Musante. Frank Sinatra plays a cop who has a specialty in extracting confessions and he does it the hard way, without the rubber hose. Miranda was new at the time, so they can't beat it out of Musante as per normal. Musante confesses he gets convicted and he gets the still operative electric chair.
But right after Musante is killed, prominent citizen William Windom jumps to his death from the roof at Aqueduct racetrack. Sinatra is again the detective and connections are established with the two deaths. Sinatra's investigations are opening a lot of doors powerful folks just don't want opened. In this he has the support of Windom's widow Jacqueline Bisset.
Sinatra's dealing with some personal problems at the same time. His marriage is breaking up because it turns out his wife, Lee Remick is a nymphomaniac. Still it's the story of the two gay related deaths that dominate the film.
The Detective boasts one of Frank Sinatra's best latter film performances. Sinatra eschews the hipster mannerisms and delivers a straightforward performance as an honest Serpico like cop in the midst of big town corruption.
In the supporting cast I liked Ralph Meeker as a sleazy cop on the take who's quite willing to stop Sinatra any way he can. Also Jack Klugman as Frank's honest sidekick and Renee Taylor as his wife.
Forty years after The Detective came out who would have thought in 1968 that we would have something called the Gay Officers Action League among the police fraternal societies in New York and many other metropolitan police forces. Their organized presence in police departments have gone a long way in bringing a sensitivity and awareness for the GLBT community.
And this review is dedicated to two out police officers now retired from the job that I knew and worked with in New York City when I was at Crime Victims Board. To Detectives Vanessa Ferro and Mark Caruso who are the finest of the finest in New York and to all the other out gay law enforcement officials.