Marlowe (1969)

67% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(475 ratings)

James Garner is so good as Raymond Chandler's philosophical gumshoe Philip Marlowe that you forget he's totally wrong for the part. Based on Chandler's The Little Sister, Marlowe involves the detective's efforts to locate the missing brother of Orfamay Quest (Sharon Farrell). He follows the clues to… More James Garner is so good as Raymond Chandler's philosophical gumshoe Philip Marlowe that you forget he's totally wrong for the part. Based on Chandler's The Little Sister, Marlowe involves the detective's efforts to locate the missing brother of Orfamay Quest (Sharon Farrell). He follows the clues to two men who deny any knowledge of the brother's existence. Since both men soon find themselves on the wrong end of an ice pick, Marlowe deduces that there's more to this caper than a mere missing-person case. The plot thickens as more "dramatis personae" are added to the intrigues, including TV star Gayle Hunnicutt, Hunnicutt's gangster boyfriend H.M. Wynant and stripper Rita Moreno. A pre-stardom Bruce Lee shows up as a karate-happy thug who lays waste to Marlowe's office shortly before suffering a spectacular demise. It is preferable to view Marlowe in videocassette or theatrical form; the commercial TV print cuts so much out that viewers are left with virtually nothing but protection leader and a few close-ups of James Garner. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Written By: Stirling Silliphant, Raymond Chandler
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1969 Limited
On DVD: Apr 24, 1991

Critic Reviews

Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Garner's not the best Marlowe, but he's far from the worst - which also applies to this movie.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A thoroughly enjoyable Philip Marlowe mystery.

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

monty h

James Garner is LA private detective Marlowe who is hired by a young girl to find her missing brother. What starts as a simple job turns into a mystery involving a high profile Hollywood actress, a ruthless gangster, cops, strippers, and one questionable doctor. Garner is very smooth… More
James Garner is LA private detective Marlowe who is hired by a young girl to find her missing brother. What starts as a simple job turns into a mystery involving a high profile Hollywood actress, a ruthless gangster, cops, strippers, and one questionable doctor. Garner is very smooth as Marlowe. The standouts in this film include a wow striptease and incredible performance by Rita Moreno, who is smoking hot and a face off between Marlowe and Bruce Lee in his film debut. Enjoyable enough. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dolores Gonzáles: [responding, mid-striptease, to Philip Marlowe's question] The streets are paved with forgotten husbands!

Cast

            James Garner as Philip Marlowe

            Gayle Hunnicutt as Mavis Wald

            Carroll O'Connor as Lt. Christy French

            Rita Moreno as Dolores Gonzales

            Sharon Farrell as Orfamay Quest

            William Daniels as Mr. Crowell

            H.M. Wynant as Sonny Steelgrave

            Jackie Coogan as Grant W. Hicks

            Kenneth Tobey as Sgt. Fred Beifus

            Bruce Lee as Winslow Wong

            Christopher Cary as Chuck

            George Tyne as Oliver Hardy

            Corinne Camacho as Julie

            Paul Stevens as Dr. Vincent Lagardie

            Roger Newman as Orin Quest

            Warren Finnerty as Haven Clausen

            Mark Allen as Attendant

            Anna Lee Carroll as Mona

            Angus Duncan as TV Actor

            Nate Esformes as Paleface

            Nicole Jaffe as Lilly

            Tom Monroe as Policeman

            Read Morgan as Gumpshaw

            Bartlett Robinson as Munsey

            Sonny Steelgrave as H.M. Wynant

            Chet Stratton as Harold Munsey

            Mary Charlotte Wilcox as YWCA Clerk

            Jason Wingreen as Clerk

            Hoke Howell as Intern

            Jack English as Director

            Dee Carroll as Nurse

            Carol Ann Daniels
            
            Buddy Garion as Maitre d'

            Paul Micale as Waiter

            Lou Whitehill as Assistant Director
See full cast