Are you too obsessed with Detective Philip Marlowe’s character? What do you think, Is Philip Marlowe a real detective or not? Let’s find this out in this article.
This character is portrayed as a detective in most novels, series, or movies. Be ready to know every truth behind the character Philip Marlowe.
Philip Marlowe is not based on any real-life detective. This character is an art of fiction and the artist is Raymond Chandler.
Later in this article, you will get to know everything about Philip Marlowe including his work projects with Raymond Chandler.
Is Philip Marlowe Based On A Real Detective?
No, Philip Marlowe is a completely fictional character with nothing to do with any real-life detective. The character is fictionalized by the American writer Raymond Chandler.
He is the main and popular character of Raymond’s hardboiled crime fiction genre characterized in seven novels. Many movies have also been made based on their novels.
Seven Novels Of Philip Marlowe With Raymond Chandler
Philip Marlowe is a hardboiled detective who investigates the underworld of Los Angeles between the 1930s and the 1950s. The character (Philip Marlowe) was portrayed in the following novels by Raymond Chandler are-
- The Big Sleep (1939)
- Farewell, My Lovely (1940)
- The High Window (1942)
- The Lady In The Lake (1943)
- The Little Sister (1949)
- The Long Goodbye (1953)
- Playback (1958)
- Poodle Springs (an unfinished novel of Raymond Chandler)
Movies have also been made based on some of these novels and Philip Marlowe is the main character in the movies. The List of movies is as follows-
The Big Sleep
The Big Sleep is an American noir movie directed by Howard Hawks in 1946. The movie is based on the Raymond Chandler novel “The Big Sleep” which characterizes Philip Marlowe as a detective.
The character Philip Marlowe is portrayed by actor Humphrey Bogart. He is hired by General Sternwood (portrayed by Charles Waldron) to investigate the person who is blackmailing his daughter Carmen (portrayed by Martha Vickers) by her gambling debts.
Murder, My Sweet
The Murder, My Sweet is a 1944 American film based on the novel “Farewell, My Lovely” (Chandler’s Novel). The movie was directed by Edward Dmytryk, who perfectly portrayed the character of Philip Marlowe (played by Dick Powell).
In this movie, Philip Marlowe (a detective) is hired by an ex-convict to investigate his girlfriend, with whom he lost touch while he was in jail.
The Lady In The Lake
The Lady In The Lake is a 1947 American movie based on Chandler’s novel named same “The Lady In The Lake” directed by Robert Montgomery.
The movie story starts with the lady editor of a crime magazine, who hires a detective Philip Marlowe (portrayed by Robert Montogomery) to investigate her boss’s wife. The movie is full of suspense, murder, and thriller.
The Long Good-Bye
The Long Good-Bye is an American film directed by Robert Altman in 1973, that is based on Chandler’s 1953 novel named “The Long Goodbye”. The character of Philip Marlowe (portrayed by Elliott Gould) perfectly played the role of a detective.
What Does The Philip Marlowe Look Like?
Philip Marlowe has been looked a private detective. He was more than six feet tall and had a cool and smart personality. You can see him dressed in a grey coat and mostly working in empty offices and wandering on empty streets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Actors Played Philip Marlowe?
A total of 4 different actors played the role of Philip Marlowe in different movies.
What Was The First And The Last Appearance Of Philip Marlowe?
Philip Marlowe first appeared in “The Fingerman” (a short story) and “The Big Sleep” (a novel). His last appearance was at “The Pencil” (a short story) and “Poodle Springs” (an unfinished novel by Chandler).
Who Completed The Novel “Poodle Springs”?
Chandler’s novel “Poodle Springs” was completed by Robert B. Parker, after the death of Raymond Chandler in 1959.
Conclusion
Even though Philip Marlowe is not a real detective, Chandler portrayed and presented this fictional character very smoothly. That people would think of it as a real one.
If you loved the novels of Philip Marlowe, then his movies are also worth watching for you.