Adventures of Philip Marlowe - Single Episodes


(4.6 étoiles; 175 critiques)

Adventures of Philip Marlowe is a classic radio series that delves into the world of detective fiction, showcasing the gritty and complex character of Philip Marlowe, created by Raymond Chandler. The series captures the essence of hardboiled detective stories, where the protagonist navigates the dark underbelly of urban life, often facing moral dilemmas and challenging cases.

Initially aired in the late 1940s, the show features a unique blend of sharp dialogue and rich narration, bringing to life the struggles and triumphs of Marlowe. The character's journey from literature to radio and film highlights his enduring appeal and the impact of Chandler's writing on the genre. With a mix of suspense, drama, and wit, the series remains a significant part of the detective narrative tradition.


This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.

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Chapitres

Who Shot Waldo 24:04
The Red Wind 30:51
King in Yellow 29:50
Trouble Is My Business 29:13
The Red Wind 29:42
The Persian Slippers 29:45
The Panama Hat 28:52
Where There's a Will 29:29
The Heart of Gold 30:16
The Hard Way Out 29:16
The Old Acquaintance 29:35
The Restless Day 29:51
The Black Halo 29:36
The Orange Dog 29:34
The Easy Mark 29:13
The Long Rope 29:41
The Lonesome Reunion 28:51
Friend from Detroit 29:47
Grim Hunters 29:57
The Dancing Hands 29:46
The Green Flame 29:28
The Last Laugh 29:28
Name to Remember 29:24
The Heat Wave 29:49
Cloak of Kamehameha 29:54
Lady in Mink 29:55
Feminine Touch 30:02
The Promise to Pay 29:55
Night Tide 30:49
The Ebony Link 29:54
The Unfair Lady 30:03
The Pigeons Blood 29:51
The Busy Body 29:58
The Key Man 30:01
Dude from Manhattan 29:18
The Headless Peacock 29:49
The Mexican Boat Ride 29:21
The August Lion 29:58
The Indian Giver 30:15
The Lady Killer 29:51
The Eager Witness 29:59
The Bum's Rush 29:38
Rushton Hickory 29:36
The Baton Sinister 29:48
The Fatted Calf 29:50
The Tail of the Mermaid 30:13
The Open Window 29:48
The Strangle Hold 30:12
The Smokeout 28:11
The Green Witch 28:25
The Fine Italian Hand 29:35
The Birds on the Wing 29:21
The Kid on the Corner 29:19
The Little Wishbone 30:14
The House That Jacqueline Built 28:25
The Torch Carriers 30:35
The Covered Bridge 30:37
The Bid for Freedom 30:25
The Hairpin Turn 29:50
The Long Arm 29:55
The Grim Echo 29:53
The Ladies Night 29:46
The Big Step 30:08
The Monkey's Uncle 29:21
The Vital Statistic 29:21
The Deep Shadow 29:22
The Sword of Cebu 29:19
The Man on the Roof 29:22
The Anniversary Gift 29:21
The Angry Eagle 29:49
The High Collared Cape 29:59
The Sea Horse Jockey 30:02
The Hiding Place 30:07
Cloak of Kamehameha 29:42
The Fox's Tail 29:50
The Bedside Manners 29:47
The Uneasy Head 29:29
Face to Forget 29:23
Golden Cobra 30:00
The Pelican's Roost 29:20
The Girl from Pitchfork Corners 29:58
The Iron Coffin 29:49
The Last Wish 29:46
The Glass Donkey 29:59
The Parrot's Bed 25:17
The Quiet Magpie 29:47
The Dark Tunnel 29:47
The Collector's Item 29:47
The Soft Spot 29:18
The Fifth Mask 29:19
The Final Payment 29:27
The White Carnation 29:23
The Big Book 29:20
The Seaside Sabbatical 29:20
The Dear, Dead Days 29:16
Life Can Be Murder 28:44
Good Neighbor Policy 29:37
The Long Way Home 29:45
Young Man's Fancy 29:49
Heir for G-String 25:16
Heir for G-String 29:14
Nether Nether Land 27:32
Nether Nether Land 29:23
The Medium Was Rare 29:15
Sound and the Unsound 29:15

Critiques

Get This and Get it Straight


(5 étoiles)

Philip Marlowe may be the best of the best when it came to radio detective shows, particularly the Gerald Mohr version. (The Van Heflin episodes certainly don't diminish the canon.) Mohr brings Marlowe to life and the tough, but decent hardboiled private eye. More relatable than Spade, Chandler's creation shines. Listening to Mohr's Marlowe, you never have any doubt that he's not only a tough man, but a good one. Simply the best. And let me add that OTRR has done an admirable job on the sound quality in this set. They are things of beauty to listen to.

Red Wind!


(3 étoiles)

I'll agree that this is the best episode of the series (note: "Red Wind," not "The Red Wind"), based on what I think is the best Marlowe story. The original is a little too involved to include all the subplots, but what comes through here was a cut above the rest of the shows. "Johnny Dalmas," incidentally, is something of an in-joke. Chandler used the name for his detective a time or two before settling on Marlowe. If you only read one of his stories, read this one. There are also some good Marlowe tales — based on the movies, which are based on the novels — in the Lux Radio Theatre, including THE LADY IN THE LAKE and MURDER, MY SWEET (based on _Farewell, My Lovely_). PEARLS ARE A NUISANCE is another Chandler short story, not originally about Marlowe, but easy enough to change. THE KING IN YELLOW and TROUBLE IS MY BUSINESS are also short stories. WHO SHOT WALDO is also actually RED WIND under another title. The movie DOUBLE INDEMNITY was scripted by Chandler, but it's hard to say without checking how much of his work stayed in the Lux version.

Philip Marlowe source for "Nick Danger"


(4 étoiles)

I grew up listening to The Firesign Theater. The hard-boiled detective Nick Danger was one of their stock characters. At last, I have had a chance to listen to the original archetype Philip Marlowe and to discover what a loving parody had been created. "The Iron Coffin" can be recognized as the starting point for Nick Danger's "Cut 'em Off at the Past". It's a strange experience to hear the parody first and then hear the original. Gerald Mohr is SO much better than Van Hefflin. I can almost hear Marlowe saying, "Take THAT, modern radio audience!" Because of the very dramatic use of dynamic range, I recommend against trying to listen to these in an automobile. When Marlowe whispers to himself while crouched in the dark with his gun in his hand, you won't be able to understand what he is saying.

Masterful Radio Entertainment


(5 étoiles)

It would be difficult to overstate how well written and performed these stories are. I am on my second run through these programs, and I keep discovering new catchy phrases, and very intelligent word play. The plots of the stories are secondary to the performance, dialogue and atmosphere of the productions. Gerald Mohr is fantastic as Philip Marlowe, giving the right combination of strength, intellect, humor, and humanity to the classic noir detective. And OTRR has done miracles with these old recordings. A few are still raw, but most are very clear and sound wonderful. My highest recommendation.

Red WInd


(5 étoiles)

"There was a rough desert wind blowing into Los Angeles that evening. It was one of those hot, dry Santa Anna winds that comes down out of the mountain passes...On nights like that, every booze party ends in a fight, and meek little housewives finger the edge of a carving knife and study their husband's necks. Anything can happen when the Santa Anna blows in from the desert. Yowza!! Maybe the best episode of the series, and a fine example of noir writing.

Philip Marlowe


(5 étoiles)

Just an interesting piece about the early American detective novel. In 1930, then Black Mask editor published the results of a poll on various writers’ popularity. His favorite, Dashiell Hammett, placed third, behind Erle Stanley Gardner. Number One with a Bullet (several, in fact) was Daly and his boy Williams. In fact, the appearance of Daly or Race’s name on the cover was generally considered enough to boost a pulp’s sales by anywhere from 5 to 20 percent. In 1934, Daly had an argument with the editors of Black Mask and he left to write for rival Dime Detective. THE EVIDENCE * “I have brains, I suppose. We all have. But a sharp eye, a quick draw, and a steady trigger finger drove me into the game. Also you might add to that an aptitude for getting out of trouble almost as quickly as I get into it.
— The Snarl of the Beast * “I’m what you might call a middleman – just a halfway house between the cops and the crooks. I do a little honest shooting once in a while–just a in the way of business, but I never bumped off a guy who didn’t need it. . . The papers are always either roasting me for shooting down some minor criminals or praising me for gunning out the big shots. But when you’re hunting the top guy, you have to kick aside—or shoot aside—the gunmen he hires. You can’t make a hamburger without grinding up a little meat.” * “One thing was certain. The dead body didn’t belong in my room . . .I simply dragged the corpse to the window, looked down at the darkness some seventeen stories below and then—oh, it may be brutal and all that, but way beat around a stiff? I just lifted him up and chucked him out.” * “I ain’t afraid of nothing… providing there’s enough jack in it.” * “I shot him five times. Five times in the stomach before he could even squeeze the trigger. Surprised? He was amazed.” * “My ethics are my own. I’m not saying they’re good and I’m not admitting they’re bad, and what’s more I’m not interested in the opinions of others on that subject. When the time comes for some quick-drawing gunman to jump me over the hurdles I’ll ride to the Pearly Gates on my own ticket. It won’t be a pass written on the back of another man’s thoughts. I stand on my own legs and I’ll shoot it out with any gun in the city–any time, any place.” * — The Snarl of the Beast

It's Not Good Bye, Just So Long... Gerald Mohr


(5 étoiles)

Adventures they were... Many cops & robbers type episodes all done with great writing, music, sound effects and amongst the best acting; top 5, no, top 3 all time show. Action much adventure & yes even some wonderful heart felt stories. One rings in mind a particular sad one for Phil/ Gerald ending with "Yes, Its A Crying Shame!

Thoroughly Enjoyable


(4 étoiles)

The first 4 episodes with Van Heflin as Marlowe were a little stilted but when Gerald Mohr took over the series really picked up. The storylines and the the fast paced delivery made the rest of the series a real treat. I am so glad I stuck with it. Thanks so much for making this series available.