This could have been great. The original script was for a serious Spade sequel and the central conceit of the plot is excellent. The cast are superb and George Segal is perfect as the world weary, cynical and laconic Sam Spade. Some of the humour works in a sort of Pink Panther way...the runaway car long gag is genuinely hilarious but this could so easily have been a great move a la The Long Goodbye. The support cast, especially Lionel Stander , are really talented and would have been perfect for the serious incarnation. Such a shame, but I did enjoy this snapshot of the 70s, and San Francisco as it once was. Worth a watch, definitely.
Review of The Black Bird
