“The Black Glove” is a classic British murder mystery film from 1954 directed by Terence Fisher, starring Alex Nicol, Eleanor Summerfield, and John Salew. The film has also been released under the title “Face the Music.” The plot of the movie revolves around a trumpet player named Rickie (Alex Nicol) who is suspected of being the “Black Glove” murderer. Rickie is a popular musician, but … Continue reading Movie Review: The Black Glove (1954)
Mildred Pierce is a novel written by James M. Cain and published in 1941. The story takes place during the Great Depression in Southern California, and follows the life of a middle-class woman named Mildred Pierce. Mildred Pierce is a devoted mother who is determined to provide her two daughters with the best possible life. After her husband leaves her for another woman, Mildred takes … Continue reading Book Review: Mildred Pierce by James M. Cain (1941)
The Thin Man” is a 1934 American comedy-mystery film directed by W. S. Van Dyke, based on the novel of the same name by Dashiell Hammett. The movie follows the eccentric and charming detective Nick Charles and his equally witty and sophisticated wife, Nora, as they investigate a murder case involving a wealthy inventor, Clyde Wynant. The film begins with Nick and Nora, who have … Continue reading Movie Review: The Thin Man (1934)
Playback is a novel by Raymond Chandler, published in 1958. It is the last novel featuring the private detective Philip Marlowe, who has appeared in several of Chandler’s other works. Playback is a classic example of Chandler’s hard-boiled style, with Marlowe navigating a complex web of deceit and corruption in the fictional California city of Bay City. The plot of Playback centers on Marlowe’s investigation … Continue reading Book Review: Playback by Raymond Chandler (1958)
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit” is a 1988 live-action/animated film directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film takes place in a world where humans and cartoon characters (known as “Toons”) coexist. The story follows Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins), a private detective who is hired to investigate a scandal involving a Toon named Roger Rabbit, who is accused of murdering Marvin Acme, the owner of Toontown. As Eddie … Continue reading Movie Review: Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
“The Big Sleep” is a classic film noir released in 1946, directed by Howard Hawks and starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Based on the novel of the same name by Raymond Chandler, the movie follows private detective Philip Marlowe (Bogart) as he investigates the complex and dangerous case of the wealthy Sternwood family. The movie is a masterclass in film noir, with a gripping … Continue reading Movie Review: The Big Sleep (1946)
The Thin Man is a classic detective novel written by Dashiell Hammett, published in 1933. The novel follows the story of retired detective Nick Charles, who is drawn into a murder case by his wife, Nora, and their dog, Asta. The novel is known for its wit, humor, and its depiction of the glamorous lifestyle of the wealthy elite in 1930s New York. The novel’s … Continue reading Book Review: The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett (1933)
Farewell, My Lovely is a classic noir detective novel written by Raymond Chandler, first published in 1940. The story follows private detective Philip Marlowe as he investigates the disappearance of a former convict named Moose Malloy, and his subsequent involvement in a series of murders and double-crosses in 1930s Los Angeles. Chandler’s writing style is known for its vivid and hardboiled prose, as well as … Continue reading Book Review: Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler (1940)
Plot The novel Laura tells the story of a young woman named Laura Hunt, who is found murdered in her apartment in New York City. The investigation into her death is led by Detective Mark McPherson, who becomes obsessed with the case and with Laura herself. As he delves deeper into Laura’s life and the people around her, McPherson begins to uncover a web of … Continue reading Book Review: Laura by Vera Caspary (1943)
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler is a classic hard-boiled detective novel, first published in 1939. The book features the iconic private investigator Philip Marlowe, hired by wealthy and retired General Sternwood to investigate a blackmailing case against his younger daughter, Carmen. The plot of the novel is complex, with multiple twists and turns, and involves various characters, including gangsters, gamblers, and corrupt police officers. … Continue reading Book Review: The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler (1939)
Golden Age of Detective Fiction 