Re: RARA-AVIS: Please advise on hardboiled movies

james.doherty@gsa.gov
06 Oct 98 11:24:00 -0400 --UNS_gsauns2_2966389481
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On 9/30/98, Enrique asked for comments on the following movies:

The Harper (Lew Archer) movies: I liked *Harper* better than *The
Drowning Pool*, but *Pool* isn't bad. Despite *Harper*'s highly-lit,
TV-movie look (courtesy of director Jack Smight), I'd put it on my
list of top ten PI movies on the basis of the great William Goldman
script (which won an Edgar) and the terific cast.

The Mitchum Philip Marlowe: I prefer the Powell/Dmytrik version of *Farewell,
My Lovely*, but Mitchum's version is damned good. Mitchum himself is a little
too old for the part, but one is struck by what an awsome Marlowe he'dve been in
his prime. Never saw the Mitchum version of *Big Sleep*. Put off by the London
setting I suppose.

The Glass Key: Alan Ladd version is good not great. Never saw the
George Raft version.

The Spiral Staircase (Dorothy McGuire): Not hard-boiled, but a very
good damsel-in-distress suspenser. Ms. McGuire plays a physically
disabled woman (she's mute) menaced by the villain, laying the
groundwork for movies like *Wait Until Dark* and *See No Evil*.

Phantom Lady and the other 1940's Cornell Woolrich: *Phantom Lady*
isn't bad, and it's fairly faithful to the book, but it's not nearly as
good as the book. The best 40s Woolrich adaptation is 1949's *The
Window* based on the short story "The Boy Cried Murder."

The Mike Shayne movies: The only one I've seen is *Sleepers West* which was
based on *Sleepers East*, a Frederick Nebel novel. Fun, but not all that true
to the books.

Hope this helps. - Jim Doherty

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