Philip Marlowe is the most recognizable and recognized character of Raymond Chandler, of which death a new one is fulfilled today anniversary. This famous detective with a detective has had several film adaptations with various faces, although without a doubt the one we most remember is that of Humphrey Bogart. A new version has been released very recently and that face is put on by the Irish actor Liam Neson. So we take a look at other Marlowes on the big screen and on the small.
Philip Marlowe. 6 faces
Dick Powell — A Detective's Story (1944)
Powell had previously played nice guy roles and wanted to give him a back to your record in the skin of Marlowe. The film is directed by Edward Dmytryk, which managed to capture quite well the touch of wit and verbal fluidity of Chandler's style. It is considered one of the first titles Black that mark the genre and managed to revive the actor's career, which he does well, and is also supported by Claire Trevor like a femme fatale to use.
The argument goes about what at first seems like a routine case that the ex-con Moose commissions Marlowe that gets complicated when a series of red herrings that accuse the protagonist of some crimes that he has not committed
Humphrey Bogart— The eternal dream (1946)
Two years later came this title directed by howard hawks that is not only one of the most acclaimed of the history of the genre, but of the cinema of all time. He also gave us the most famous face of Marlowe: the one of Bogart. In addition, the actor also gave the role better than good for his hard physique, the fondness for drink and the impertinent and dry touch of the character.
El argument it is also one of the most convolutedSo much so that there is the anecdote that when Hawks called the novelist to ask him who the murderer was, he replied "whatever you want because I have no idea." He filming, also, it was also something complicated since the director had bought the rights to his novel from Chandler. And to top it off, the protagonists, Bogart and Lauren Bacall, began a romance that would culminate in a wedding three months later.
James Garner— Marlowe, very private detective (1964)
In a leap of twenty years we have this version that already lowered the level a lot because it narrated the adventures of Marlowe in a tone of comedy. And it is that after Chandler's death in 1959, Hollywood took more liberties with his work.
Directed her Paul Bogart and adapted the novel The little sister. The actor James Garner is not very fine in his interpretation of the detective either, but that lighter tone in general excuses him. As a curious fact, we must point out the appearance of Bruce Lee, which was already known in the United States, for example a scene where he destroys Marlowe's office with his famous flying kicks.
Robert Mitchum— Bye doll (1975)
Directed by Dick Richards Ten years later, you want to bet big again with a more classic Hollywood man, and also blacker, like Robert Mitchum, he already had tables as a detective. But Mitchum had already served his 57 years and did not give the age of the detective in the novels.
Bye doll It had been adapted for film before, but this version is much looser and doesn't soften a plot . rugged of prostitution and adultery. In the cast were Charlotte Rampling and another curiosity: a young Sylvester Stallone, who can only play a thug. Mitchum liked the character and reprized it in another later version of The eternal dream in 1978. It is the only actor who has repeated in the role of Marlowe.
Powers Boothe – TV series (1983-1986)
With 2 seasons of 11 episodes, this already 80s series is set in Los Angeles during the 30s and adapted different stories from Chandler. It was also starred by a character actor such as Powers Boothe, who shared the stony gesture of the character. It can be seen on YouTube.
Liam Neeson - Marlowe (2022)
Last we have the most recent film version directly titled as the detective and which he has directed Neil jordan. And a guy like Philip Marlowe in the XNUMXst century a guy like Liam Neeson lends his face.
The plot adapts the novel The blonde with black eyes who signed John Banville in 2014 where he revived detective Chandler. It is set in the late 30s, in the Los Angeles underworld, where Marlowe is hired to find ex-lover of a glamorous heiress (played by Diane Kruger), who is the daughter of a well-known movie star (Jessica Lange). But that disappearance is going to put Marlowe in a very dangerous investigation where everyone involved has something to hide.