Created by Rex Pickett Struggling actor JACK HAYNES (played by Jim Haynie) and failed mystery novelist RAYMOND SAVAGE (Scott Paulin ) have both seen better days, and their new career as private investigators isn't exactly setting the world on fire either. But when a sleazy Hollywood studio offers them $25,000 to track down Lana Dark, … Continue reading Jack Haynes & Raymond Savage (From Hollywood to Deadwood)
Category: Film
Written, directed and starring…
One-man P.I. Shows What is it about the private eye genre that attracts so many filmmakers intent on doing it all themselves? Is there something about the genre itself that feeds some sort of DIY, man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, macho hunger? Is it about control? Money? Ego? Is it simply a … Continue reading Written, directed and starring…
Jack Stanton (Looking for Kitty)
Created by Edward Burns "I do it the old-fashioned way — the way Bogart did it." -- you may say Jack's a dreamer but he's not the only one. All the lonely people, where do they all come from? Few did the working class streets (and sidewalks) of New Yawk better than writer/director Edward Burns. … Continue reading Jack Stanton (Looking for Kitty)
Leo Falloon (No Clue)
Created by Brent Butt "Whoa! Where are all the guns coming from? This is Canada!" Lovably schlubby Canadian actor/comedian Brent Butt writes and stars in No Clue, a 2014 comedy in which mild-mannered, middle-aged Vancouver novelty salesman LEO FALLOON with offices on Pender Street. Nope, he's not a private eye at all, but is mistaken … Continue reading Leo Falloon (No Clue)
Out of the Past and Against All Odds
Two versions of one story... with a 32 minute difference By Sam Wiebe The following is from Sam Wiebe's always interesting newsletter (available in free and paid versions, wherein he expounds on writing, crime fiction, film and whatever else catches his attention. Sam, of course, is the award-winning Canadian crime writer and the creator of … Continue reading Out of the Past and Against All Odds
Nameless (Io so che tu sai che io so)
Created by Alberto Sordi, Augusto Caminito, and Rodolfo Sonego Okay, this one's a real stretch... Less a private eye film than a film that uses the private eye as a catalyst, offering a cock-eyed look at the aftermath of a private eye's investigation., the 1982 Italian comedy Io so che tu sai che io so … Continue reading Nameless (Io so che tu sai che io so)
Jimmy Corrigan (Jimmy the Gent)
Created by Laird Doyle "Blondes...Brunettes...And Their Bankrolls! He makes 'em!... Takes 'Em and Tosses 'Em Away! Wild Jimmy in a Knockout riot of Laughs!" -- slug line on original poster.Jimmy Cagney plays JIMMY CORRIGAN, the scrappy, strutting operator of a missing heirs bureau, out to win the heart of the beautiful Joan (Bette Davis) in … Continue reading Jimmy Corrigan (Jimmy the Gent)
Bill & Sally Reardon (There’s Always a Woman)
Created by Wilson Collison In the screwball thriller There's Always a Woman (1938, Columbia), BILL REARDON (Melvyn Douglas) quits his comfy job an investigator with the District Attorney's office to open up his own detective agency at the urging of his pushy but ditzy wife SALLY REARDON (Joan Blondell). But the agency never quite … Continue reading Bill & Sally Reardon (There’s Always a Woman)
Colt Seavers (The Fall Guy)
Created by Glen A. Larson "It's a death defying life I lead But I'll take my chances..." Okay, you might consider it a stretch to include TV's The Fall Guy (1981-86, ABC) on this site, but under-employed stunt man COLT SEAVERS (played by a post-$6,000,00 Man and post-Farrah Lee Majors) actually did moonlight as a … Continue reading Colt Seavers (The Fall Guy)
It’s Only Words: “The Unknown Stuntman”
1981 Performed by Lee Majors (later Blake Shelton) Words and Music by Glen A. Larson, Dave Somerville, and Gail Jensen What could be cheesier (or more singalong fun) than a TV theme song? How about one that sets up (week after week) the premise of the show? Think of such classics as the themes … Continue reading It’s Only Words: “The Unknown Stuntman”