The story, based on the Michael Brett novel Lie a Little, Die a Little, follows the misadventures of a slobbish private detective who is hired by a millionaire to investigate a murder.

The film features one of Paul Sorvino's first screen performances, and an early appearance from TV star Debbi Morgan.

The New York City Police Department is hunting for an eccentric millionaire, Jason Dominic, in connection with the murder of a cocktail waitress named Lucille Reynolds.

After an initial case of mistaken identity, Jake, his trainee nephew Keith, and Cora meet up and visit Jason's yacht.

When the original distributor, Cambist Film, went out of business, Kaufman acquired the rights and it is now part of the Troma library.

During an interview featured in the Special Edition of the film's DVD, Allen Garfield says that Cry Uncle!