Philip Marlowe (TV series)
Philip Marlowe is a half-hour ABC crime series, featuring Philip Carey as Marlowe,[1] the fictional detective created by Raymond Chandler. It was broadcast from October 6, 1959, until March 29, 1960.[2]
Philip Marlowe
United States
1
26
30 minutes per episode
Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions
in association with
California National Productions
October 6, 1959 –
March 26, 1960
Premise[edit]
Like the Marlowe in Chandler's novels, the detective worked alone in the TV show, but he "had become a much more gentlemanly sort than on the printed page."[2] He avoided personal involvement while he sought "to protect people, solve crimes, and track down missing persons."[2]
Episodes of the series contained no surprise endings. As each episode progressed, viewers had the same information that Marlowe had, enabling them to try to solve the crime along with him.[3]
Production[edit]
NBC-TV financed the original pilot for a Marlowe series starring Carey, but it sold the program and Carey to ABC, which revamped it.[6] Mark Goodson and Bill Todman produced the series. The directors were Irvin Kershner, Robert Ellis Miller, and Paul Stewart. The writers were Charles Beaumont and Gene Wang.[5]
The program's lack of success was attributed to its similarity to other contemporary detective series.[7] Sponsors were Brown & Williamson and American Home Products.[4] The series had 26 episodes.[7] It was broadcast from 9:30 to 10 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesdays.[2] Its competition included The Red Skelton Show on CBS. NBC initially had Startime, which was succeeded by The Arthur Murray Party.[8]