Freebie and the Bean

Freebie and the Bean
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRichard Rush
Screenplay byRobert Kaufman
Story byFloyd Mutrux
Produced byRichard Rush
StarringJames Caan
Alan Arkin
Loretta Swit
Jack Kruschen
Mike Kellin
Alex Rocco
Valerie Harper
CinematographyLászló Kovács
Edited byMichael McLean
Fredric Steinkamp
Music byDominic Frontiere
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • December 25, 1974 (1974-12-25)
Running time
113 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$3 million[1]
Box office$12.5 million in the United States and Canada[2]

Freebie and the Bean is a 1974 American buddy cop black comedy action film starring James Caan and Alan Arkin, and directed by Richard Rush. The film follows two police detectives who wreak havoc in San Francisco attempting to bring down an organized crime boss. The film, which had been originally scripted as a serious crime drama, morphed into what is now known as the "buddy-cop" genre due to the bantering, improvisational nature of the acting by Caan and Arkin. Reportedly, by the end of filming, both actors were confused by the purpose of the movie, not knowing that they had stumbled into a successful character formula. The film was popular enough to spawn various other successful film franchises such as, Lethal Weapon, 48 Hours and Beverly Hills Cop. Loretta Swit and Valerie Harper appeared in supporting roles.

  1. ^ "McElwaine Has 22 Readying; Finds Forgotten WB Coppola". Variety. November 12, 1975. p. 6. Retrieved June 27, 2022 – via Archive.org.
  2. ^ "All-time Film Rental Champs". Variety. January 7, 1976. p. 20.