RARA-AVIS: Re: Odds & Sods

Kevin Smith (kvnsmith@total.net)
Fri, 17 Oct 1997 11:53:47 -0400 Just a few random thoughts (stray bullets?),

Henry Kane also wrote a novel starring TV's Peter Gunn, which was
probably appropriate, since his PI, Peter Chambers, was also a bit of a
man-about-town/playboy type, albeit I'always found Chambers to be a bit
of a stiff. He originally referred to himself as a "private richard",
but the series eventually ended up as a string soft-porn/detective PBOs.
Talk about a dick.

As for PI's, I'm currently setting up a Private Eye site, which will
hopefully be a listing of every PI in books, film, pulps, television,
etc. and cross-linked all the hell over and back. Of course, it'll never
be complete, but if any writers of this list wish to contribute a short
bio and bibliograpghy of any of their fave raves, or any other
suggestions, advice, or bundles of small, unmarked bills, feel free to
contact me directly. This is a labour of love, so I can't pay anything,
but of course I'll give credit where it's due. And if there's anyone out
there who's trying to do the same thing, maybe we can pool our resources
or something. In the next little while I'll be posting a few sample
pages somewhere, and I'll pass the info on to this list. Hell, this list
is part of the inspiration for the site-it inspired me to dust off all
those old notes and clippings and lists and do something with 'em.

Interesting that all three books on the list were made into good movies.
Coincidence?

Or am I being too uncritical? I mean, I really liked Mannix-I never
thought of him as "generic", more like a back-to-basics detective, more
archtype than stereotype. Sure, it's dated now, but at the time, it was
a vast improvement over the "two handsome PIs, an offbeat sidekick, and
a ditzy secretary" formula that had just finished spewing all over the
airwaves. Mannix for many years was the only straight PI show worth
watching, and held the torch through the 60's and up to the seventies'
TV PI renaissancem (Rockford! Harry O! Cannon!).

Which brings me to my last topic. There are only two PI shows on this
year. Now, Dellaventura really bites, but I sort of like the potential
of Total Security. Any takers?

Kevin Smith
Still being slapped, and still not liking it.
kvnsmith@total.net
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