Friday, November 12, 2010

It's a Fair Question...

Philip Marlowe. Without a doubt.

What about you?

25 comments:

Judy Williams said...

I'd have to say Lenny Brisco (Jerry Orbach) on the original Law and Order.

Jean Spitzer said...

Probably the Continental Op.

But the list is long.

Wayne said...

If we're talking strictly lit. I think I'd agree with Marlowe but if we're covering the full gamut I think I'd pick Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes.

Peter Falk was pretty good as Columbo too. :-)

Anonymous said...

(Like I'm going to stop at one...)
Marlowe, hands down. Followed by Continental Op. I love Magrait. Lew Archer.

I'll be back.

Vanda said...

Philip Marlow hands down. I like the latest BBC version of Sherlock Holmes (the show is called Sherlock). I grew up on Maigret, but don't remember it much any more. Paul Newman as Lew Harper.

TheChieftess said...

I'm sorry...Basil Rathbone as Sherlock!!!

Like Hiker...there are too many favorites to pick just one! There's Marlowe, and of course I love Lenny too Judy!!! And new favorites...Anne Perry's William Monk...and Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs...

Fryewerk said...

Technically, Columbo wasn't a detective, he was a police lieutenant, but close enough for me. The Columbo episodes of the 1970's were fantastic: Los Angeles of a different era and aged movie star cameos from the golden era.

Dixie Jane said...

I opt for Jerry Orbach, who has now left us.I really liked him.

I started to say, Dick Tracy, but you would think I am nutty.

TheChieftess said...

That's ok Dixie Jane...nutty is a compliment in this group!!!

ben wideman said...

I'm digging in to my elementary school reading assignments with this one, but I was always fascinated by the kid wonder, Encyclopedia Brown.

Russ said...

I vote for Jim Qwilleran and his two siamese cats. RVA

Laurie Allee said...

Oh, so many good ones. But I can't believe nobody named Nick Charles. William Powell and Myra Loy as Nick and Nora in The Thin Man movies-- bliss.

TheChieftess said...

Dayam!!! You got me on that one Laurie!!! I absolutely adore those movies!!!

Laurie Allee said...

And I know who my dad would have named. He wasn't much of a reader but he sure loved Jim Rockford fro The Rockford Files. That was a great character. Can you guys tell I LOVE this subject!?

Ben, I adored Encyclopedia Brown. Also Harriet The Spy. A great role model for young girls.

Anonymous said...

Sam Spade. But I am a bit of a grouch.

Anonymous said...

Well, yes, I was torn, so torn, between Nick and Nora and the Continental Op. But the CO is my favorite Hammett book-character. I love Nick and Nora because of Powell and Loy.

(My dad was a big, big fan of James Garner.)

TheChieftess said...

I am ashamed to admit, especially in the company of such literary mavins who populate this blog, I have never read Dashielle Hammett's Continental Op series...I can tell from the numerous mentions of the CO that this is a "must put on the list" immediately!!! Never fear, I will remedy this situation...

Suggestions on how to tackle this task most effectively will be gratefully accepted!!!

Dixie Jane said...

As Chieftess said, "Dayam!" I too forgot Nick and Nora and they were so great.

Laurie Allee said...

Chieftess, you get right out there and read Continental Op. You'll be hooked.

This post has made me go back and pick up one of my Chandler anthologies. (Like I need an excuse.) It's about time I reread The Big Sleep, althought The Long Goodbye is still my favorite Chandler.

I also want to rewatch Columbo. Falk was so great in that.

As for Nick and Nora, I've forgotten the book but the films are so incredibly great. I just loved the scene (forget which movie) where she walks in on him drunk in a bar, gets herself a martini and asks, "Just how many martinis have you had?" Nick answers, "Six." Nora says something like, "Barkeep, line me up five more martinis."

TheChieftess said...

Sooo...when I looked up Continental Ops on the internet...it was a bit sketchy...something about magazine stories (the series of yesteryear) and a couple of novels...any suggestions of where to start???

dbdubya said...

Barney Miller. One of the great TV series of all time.

Petrea Burchard said...

Mine would have to be a guy named Bruce. He's my friend's husband. LA County. Not glamorous, but a hard worker.

Laurie Allee said...

Petrea, you're so cool. You actually KNOW a detective.

Petrea Burchard said...

That's a nice thing to say, Laurie. Believe me, I don't know him because I'm cool!

Kevin said...

How was Inspector Clouseau (pink panther) overlooked? For me, it's between Clouseau and Inspector Gadget.