Blu-ray Evaluation – Marlowe (1969)

      Marlowe, 1969.

      Directed by Paul Bogart.

      Featuring James Garner, Gayle Hunnicutt, Carroll O’Connor, Jackie Coogan, Bruce Lee, William Daniels, and Sharon Farrell.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A young woman from Kansas enlists the help of LA private investigator Philip Marlowe to locate her missing brother.

      For those unfamiliar with the Philip Marlowe character, he was created by author Raymond Chandler during the 1930s and 40s, serving as a foundational archetype for film noir detective tales ever since. The most iconic depiction of Marlowe was by Humphrey Bogart in 1944's Murder, My Sweet and 1946's The Big Sleep. However, numerous adaptations have shifted the character from his original 1940s backdrop to modern times, with 1969’s Marlowe being one of these updates.

      In this film, the LA-based private detective Philip Marlowe (James Garner) is brought on by Kansas resident Orfamay Quest (Sharon Farrell) to track down her missing brother. After interrogating the manager of a dilapidated hotel frequented by hippies, Marlowe encounters the dubious resident Grant W. Hicks (Jackie Coogan), who informs him that the man he seeks has vanished. However, upon departing the hotel, Marlowe stumbles upon the hotel manager's lifeless body with an ice pick lodged in his neck, thrusting him into a dark underbelly filled with gangsters, strippers, actresses, TV executives, and learned henchmen skilled in martial arts.

      Adapted from Raymond Chandler’s tale The Little Sister, Marlowe presents a surprisingly lighthearted crime thriller, which is not a drawback, as its slightly absurd tone makes it very approachable, especially for those less familiar with film noir or the Philip Marlowe persona. James Garner portrays Marlowe with a blend of suave confidence and witty sarcasm, unafraid to brandish his gun when necessary, making him more akin to Roger Moore’s Bond than to Humphrey Bogart. Garner is captivating in nearly every scene he occupies.

      Garner is not the sole highlight, as Marlowe also marks the Hollywood debut of Bruce Lee, who appears in just two scenes that are particularly unforgettable. His first scene echoes moments from the 1960s Batman TV series as he wreaks havoc in Marlowe’s office with a series of comedic martial arts antics. His other appearance is also quite entertaining, albeit for different reasons, and seems to push the boundaries of goofiness in an otherwise serious crime thriller, showcasing Lee’s undeniable screen presence and charisma, foreshadowing his rise to stardom.

      However, being based on a Raymond Chandler narrative means Marlowe features a notably intricate and complex plot that can be challenging to follow. When we first encounter Marlowe, he’s already engaged in the search for Quest’s brother, meaning we miss a traditional introduction where the client's story about the missing man is fully outlined. Being thrust into the ongoing investigation later in the narrative requires viewers to quickly discern who’s who and their connections to those Marlowe has previously met, as the writing doesn’t always provide clarity, compelling viewers to assemble ambiguous information while new plot twists unfold.

      Regarded as an influence for The Rockford Files, Marlowe isn’t the boldest example of relocating the detective to a modern context – Robert Altman’s 1973 film The Long Goodbye deviates even further from the character's origins with a more satirical treatment of contemporary society – but it is an engaging crime thriller featuring a compelling lead performance by James Garner, alongside solid contributions from Bruce Lee, William ‘voice of K.I.T.T.’ Daniels, and Jackie Coogan, plus numerous genre conventions given a 1960s twist that will both thrill and entertain. To enhance your experience, Arrow Video has included a 50-minute discussion on the film by historian Howard S. Berger, which delves deeper into the Philip Marlowe character; however, reading The Little Sister prior to watching Marlowe is recommended, as the film's complexity increases with deeper engagement.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Chris Ward