Phillip Marlowe Movies

[Tmac]

Updated Marlowe

Although he didn't have a fedora or trench coat, and the movie was set 30 years too late, let's not forget James Garners "Marlowe"

 

[Andykev]

Chandler's Big Sleep

The movie did not match the book, which was more gritty. You have to remember the movie censors who would not allow such scene's such as wnen Carmen is found Naked by Phillip. Can't do that in Hollywood 1945!

 

[MK]

True. The film works fine, but as usual the book is better. Chandler liked the screenplay....even the ending. He also said Bogart was the ideal Marlowe.

 

[Michael Mallory]

The major things that had to be cut from the Hawks movie were the entire porn angle, which was hinted at subtly, and Geiger's homosexuality. But it was made up for by that notorious "Depends on who's in the saddle" line from Bacall.

 

[MK]

Agreed. Hawks did a fine job. He did cram Becall in with a crowbar into a number of scenes her character wasn't in the book.......not that I mind.

 

[MK]

I am finishing up my Marlowe/Chandler book of stories. I will have to find more. These are great reading. He has some great lines.....like...."her lashes didn't quite reach her chin."

 

[Michael Mallory]

I just watched "The Big Sleep" again last night (one of my favorite movies), and for the first time noticed something: throughout the entire film, Bogart wears a big, gleaming wedding ring. Clearly, it's not in character; it must have been Bogie's own ring. The movie was shot in 1944 and '45, with the Bacall retakes in '46. I don't know if it was his ring from Bacall or Mayo Methot.

 

[Andykev]

Bogart's ring

The ring worn in most of his films was Dr. Bogart's ....Humphrey's father. It is seen in many films. Bogart wore it all the time. Bogie got the ring upon his father's death, and wore it all the time.

 

[MK]

 

[Captain America]

Originally posted by Marlowe
The best guy for that kind of talk was Dashiell Hammett. He actually was a detective for the Pinkerton Agency and was up on criminal and hobo and other types of slang. The only known instance of Hammett being wrong in his use of slang was when used the term "gunsel" to describe a character in "The Maltese Falcon." His use of the word implied "gunman," but the word is actually from the Yiddish "ganzel," and means, if I recall correctly, "boy homosexual prostitute." He did it on purpose, to get back at an editor who had put the kibosh on his use of the hobos' term, "on the gooseberry lay," which sounded too racy, but meant something like "stealing laundry off the line," or some other such more innocent larceny.



(Sigh.)

Actually Marlowe, Hammett knew exactly what gusel meant when he used it. Cairo, Gutman and "the kid" were in fact homosexuals in the book. When the film version with Bogie was made the censors pulled all references to homosexuallity out of the script, even though the lines were lifted directly from the book. They overlooked "gunsel" because it was used solely in reference to Wilbur and they assumed that he was using a slang expression for gunman or hitman. I learned quite a bit about Hammett and his work (both his writting and his other work) when a 4 page term paper for a college english class turned out to be 20 pages on the historical background of the Maltese Falcon and compare/contrast of the book to the film.

 

[Andykev]

Wow

For 30 years I have been a Bogie fan, and have loved the Maltese Falcon and Big Sleep the best....and knew the censors removal of all references....but didn't know the truth to gunsel....which now makes great sense...double meanings are a joy.

And now you know the REST of the story..

 

[MK]

Anyone see THE BRASHER DOUBLOON (1947)?

George Montgomery plays Marlowe. Is he related to Robert?

Rare coin seems to be object of several murders in this B-Movie adaption of Chandler's The High Window. The opening windy-day-in -Pasadena sequence captures the vintage Southern California feeling of Chandler's prose perfectley. Montgomery plays Marlow as a wolfish thrill-seeking skirt chaser. Brahm's visual skill at creating tension, his striking compititions and bold placement of objects makes this flick engaging.

 

[MK]

Since no one could tell me I rented it.

Not bad. It is not as good as The Big Sleep or Murder My Sweet but is far better than Lady in the Lake. I was hoping to see more of vintage Pasadena though.

I say worth watching and it beats Dude Wheres my Car? anyday of the week.

 

[Michael Mallory]

George Montgomery was no relation to Robert Montgomery (though Elizabeth Montgomery of "Bewitched" was Robert's daughter). George's real name was Letz -- Montgomery was his middle name -- while Robert's real last name WAS Montgomery, but his real first name was Henry. Little goes unchanged in Hollywood.

 

[MK]

I just received Murder, My Sweet on DVD. It looks much, much better. They did a fine job bringing the print up to speed. It really is a terrific film....and the best Marlowe performance to date. I like Bogart's take, but he is Sam Spade playing Marlowe.....if you get my drift.

I am glad they are getting around to releasing all these great noir films. Tomorrow I will watch This Gun for Hire.

Also I want to make a shameless plug that you can order these films from Amazon via the new store on The Golden Era.

http://www.thegoldenera.net/Golden_era_store.html

Thanks for your support. :clap

 

[Marlowe]

Originally posted by Captain America
Actually, Marlowe, Hammett knew exactly what gunsel meant when he used it...

I realize that. That's why this:

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Marlowe
...He did it on purpose, to get back at an editor who had put the kibosh on his use of the hobos' term, "on the gooseberry lay," which sounded too racy...