Blu-ray Review – 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 woman from Kansas hires Los Angeles 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 1940s, serving as a model for film noir detective narratives ever since. The most iconic rendition of this detective was portrayed by Humphrey Bogart in 1944’s Murder, My Sweet and in The Big Sleep from 1946. Over time, many adaptations have transitioned the character from his original 1940s context to modern settings, with 1969's Marlowe being one such example.

      In this film, LA-based detective Philip Marlowe (James Garner) is enlisted by Kansas resident Orfamay Quest (Sharon Farrell) to find her missing brother. After interviewing the manager of a dilapidated hotel frequented by hippies, Marlowe encounters the dubious Grant W. Hicks (Jackie Coogan), who claims the man Marlowe seeks is long gone. However, upon leaving the hotel, Marlowe stumbles upon the body of the hotel manager, with an ice pick embedded in his neck, propelling him into a gritty underworld filled with gangsters, strippers, actresses, TV executives, and cultured henchmen skilled in martial arts.

      Adapted from Chandler's story The Little Sister, Marlowe is a surprisingly light crime thriller, which isn't necessarily a drawback; its slightly absurd tone makes it quite approachable, particularly for those not deeply acquainted with film noir or the Philip Marlowe character. James Garner portrays Marlowe with a mix of suave confidence and sarcastic wit but isn’t hesitant to brandish his gun when needed, drawing him closer to Roger Moore’s Bond than to Humphrey Bogart. Garner's charisma keeps him captivating in nearly every scene throughout the film.

      Garner isn’t the only standout in the movie; Marlowe also marks Bruce Lee’s Hollywood debut, appearing in just two scenes, both of which leave a lasting impression. His first scene echoes something from the 1960s Batman television series as he disrupts Marlowe’s office in a series of humorous martial arts moves. His second appearance is also entertaining, though for different reasons, and ventures into a level of silliness that feels somewhat out of place in an otherwise serious crime thriller. Nonetheless, it showcases Lee's remarkable screen presence and charisma, hinting at the star he was destined to become.

      However, given it is based on a Raymond Chandler story, Marlowe presents a complex and intricate plot that can be challenging to follow. When we are introduced to him, Marlowe is already investigating Quest’s brother’s disappearance, meaning there is no initial meeting between client and detective to fully reveal the missing man's backstory. By immersing the audience into an ongoing investigation, viewers must quickly discern the identities and connections between various characters, as the writing doesn’t always offer convenient explanations, requiring the audience to piece together ambiguous details while new plot twists unfold.

      Often regarded as an influence for The Rockford Files, Marlowe isn’t the boldest instance of placing a detective in a contemporary environment—Robert Altman’s 1973 film The Long Goodbye took the character even further from its origins with a satirical perspective on modern life—but it is an enjoyable crime thriller highlighted by James Garner’s compelling lead performance and solid support from Bruce Lee, William Daniels, and Jackie Coogan. Additionally, it features a variety of genre conventions updated for the 1960s that are sure to excite and amuse. To enhance your understanding of the film, Arrow Video has included a 50-minute appreciation by film historian Howard S. Berger, who explores the Philip Marlowe character in greater depth, though it is advisable to read The Little Sister beforehand for a clearer grasp of the film, as the plot can become quite convoluted as it progresses.

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

      Chris Ward