Jason Statham Needs To Bring This The Beekeeper Co-Star To His $7.3 Billion Franchise Summary Humphrey Bogart's portrayal in The Big Sleep remains the iconic standard for Philip Marlowe movies, capturing the essence of classic film noir. Marlowe in The Big Sleep embodies the quintessential hard-boiled detective, with wit, charm, and a morally ambiguous femme fatale. Bogart's performance set the bar high for future portrayals of Marlowe, cementing his place as an enduring figure in the history of cinema.
The hard-boiled detective Philip Marlowe was among the most famous private investigators in cinema and has been portrayed in several acclaimed movies over the years. As a hard-drinking, no-nonsense, wise-cracking detective, Marlowe was created by the writer Raymond Chandler and versions of him appeared in short stories, novels, and a dozen feature films. Marlowe first gained prominence in the film noirs of the 1940s but has since maintained an important place in popular culture and has been continually reimagined and revived for new audiences by acclaimed writers, directors, and performers.
Marlowe has been played by some of the greatest actors who ever lived as iconic performers, such as Robert Mitchum and Humphrey Bogart, made the character their own with memorable takes on his unique characterization. In many ways, Marlowe was the quintessential film noir private detective, and his legacy has been felt across all hard-boiled crime fiction in every medium. While some Marlowe movies were certainly better than others, he's a character who has endured through the years and held an important place in mainstream popular culture.
12 Time To Kill (1942) Lloyd Nolan as Michael Shayne Time to Kill (1942) ApprovedFilm NoirComedyCrime
Time to Kill, a mystery drama directed by Herbert I. Leeds, stars Lloyd Nolan as private detective Michael Shayne. The film follows Shayne's investigation into a case involving a missing rare book, which soon leads to a web of secrets and deceit. As Shayne delves deeper, he uncovers more than he bargained for, showcasing the classic elements of film noir.
Director Herbert I. Leeds Release Date January 22, 1943 Writers Clarence Upson Young , Raymond Chandler , Brett Halliday Cast Lloyd Nolan , Heather Angel , Doris Merrick , Ralph Byrd , Richard Lane , Sheila Bromley , Morris Ankrum , Ethel Griffies Character(s) Michael Shayne , Myrle Davis , Linda Conquest Murdock , Lou Venter , Lt. Breeze , Lois Morny , Alexander Morny , Mrs. Murdock Runtime 61 Minutes Main Genre Film Noir Expand
Time to Kill was an acceptable but forgettable film noir directed by Herbert I. Leeds based on Raymond Chandler's novel The High Window. This was before the character of Philip Marlowe gained major name recognition and, in the film version, was renamed Michael Shayne and played by Lloyd Nolan. At just over one hour in length, Time to Kill failed to capture the film noir magic that made the character come to life on the big screen in subsequent years.
All the pieces of its classic hardboiled detective source material were on display in Time to Kill as Marlowe traversed seedy streets and dank nightclubs in his pursuit of a gang of counterfeit coin producers. With such a limited runtime, Time to Kill was fast-paced throughout but was often overwhelmed by the complexity of its mystery. While Time to Kill was nothing special, it was an acceptable detective story, and there were worse ways viewers could while away an hour.
11 The Falcon Takes Over (1942) George Sanders as Gay Lawrence aka The Falcon The Falcon Takes Over (1942) ApprovedCrimeComedyMystery
The Falcon Takes Over is a 1942 mystery film directed by Irving Reis, featuring George Sanders as amateur sleuth Gay Lawrence, known as The Falcon. The plot, inspired by Raymond Chandler's novel Farewell, My Lovely, follows The Falcon as he helps a nightclub singer and a detective unravel a complex murder case. This film blends the classic elements of noir with the charm and wit of its lead character.
Director Irving Reis Release Date May 29, 1942 Writers Lynn Root , Frank Fenton , Michael Arlen , Raymond Chandler Cast George Sanders , Lynn Bari , James Gleason , Allen Jenkins , Helen Gilbert , William Alland , Roxanne Barkley , Turhan Bey Character(s) Gay Lawrence , Ann Riordan , Inspector Mike O'Hara , Jonathan Locke , Diana Kenyon , Reporter , Hat Check Girl , Jules Amthor Runtime 65 Minutes Main Genre Crime Expand
Another film based on Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe novel Farewell, My Love, titled The Falcon Takes Over, was also released in 1942. However, the setting was changed from New York to Los Angeles, and Marlowe was renamed Gay Lawrence, aka The Falcon, and played by George Sanders. This was the very first Marlowe movie, and the character was still finding his feet on the big screen. The renaming of Marlowe in The Falcon Takes Over felt symbolic, as the studio failed to recognize that the most interesting thing in a Marlowe movie was always going to be the detective himself.
The Falcon Takes Over lacked the spark of future film noir adaptations of Chandler's work and, similarly to Time to Kill, was just over an hour in length. The biggest issue with The Falcon Takes Over was that, although its story was based on a Marlowe novel, the character of the Falcon had already appeared in two previous movies. Saunders previously portrayed the Falcon in The Gay Falcon and A Date with the Falcon, which stopped the established personality of Detective Marlowe from shining through.
10 The Big Sleep (1978) Robert Mitchum as Philip Marlowe The Big Sleep (1978) RCrimeDramaMystery
The Big Sleep (1978) is a neo-noir mystery film directed by Michael Winner, starring Robert Mitchum as private detective Philip Marlowe. The film is based on Raymond Chandler's novel and follows Marlowe as he is hired by a wealthy family to unravel a complex web of blackmail, murder, and intrigue. Set in London, the movie features an ensemble cast including Sarah Miles, Candy Clark, and Richard Boone.
Director Michael Winner Release Date April 7, 1978 Writers Michael Winner , Raymond Chandler Cast Robert Mitchum , Sarah Miles , Richard Boone , Candy Clark , Joan Collins , Edward Fox , John Mills , James Stewart Character(s) Philip Marlowe , Charlotte Sternwood , Lash Canino , Camilla Sternwood , Agnes Lozelle , Joe Brody , Inspector Carson , General Sternwood Runtime 99 Minutes Main Genre Crime Expand
The Big Sleep was Robert Mitchum's second film portraying detective Philip Marlowe after Farewell, My Love three years before. This marked the only time an actor had played the character twice in feature films, and at 60 years old, Mitchum was by far the oldest iteration of Marlowe ever seen at that point. With a story moved from the original 1940s Los Angeles setting to 1970s London, The Big Sleep was able to outright address more explicit themes of homosexuality, pornography, and nudity than ever before seen in a Marlowe movie.
However, The Big Sleep was a tough act to follow, as it was always going to be compared to Humphrey Bogart's iconic 1946 version, which stood as one of the greatest film noirs of all time. With these giant shoes to fill, Mitchum's The Big Sleep was always going to fall short and felt flat and dull in comparison. The Big Sleep was not a bad movie by any means, but when given the choice, the earlier version will always be the one that film noir viewers choose to watch.
9 The Brasher Doubloon (1947) George Montgomery as Philip Marlowe The Brasher Doubloon (1947) ApprovedFilm NoirCrimeDrama
The Brasher Doubloon is a 1947 film noir directed by John Brahm, featuring George Montgomery as private investigator Philip Marlowe. The plot revolves around Marlowe's investigation into a missing rare coin, the Brasher Doubloon, which leads him into a web of murder and deception. The film is an adaptation of Raymond Chandler's novel 'The High Window.'
Director John Brahm Release Date February 6, 1947 Writers Dorothy Bennett , Leonard Praskins , Raymond Chandler Cast George Montgomery , Nancy Guild , Conrad Janis , Roy Roberts , Fritz Kortner , Florence Bates , Marvin Miller , Robert Adler Character(s) Philip Marlowe , Merle Davis , Leslie Murdock , Police Lt. Breeze , Rudolph Vannier , Mrs. Elizabeth Murdock , Vince Blair , Police Sgt. Spangler Runtime 72 Minutes Main Genre Film Noir Expand
By 1947, film noirs and the character of Philip Marlowe had become extremely popular due to the success of classics like The Big Sleep, and 20th-Century Fox wanted to make the most of their ownership of the film rights to Raymond Chandler's The High Window. Fox had already adapted the novel years before as Time to Kill, but this time decided to be more faithful to the source material and keep the character of Detective Marlowe intact. This led to a far better film that was much more attuned to the wise-cracking, hard-drinking, tough-guy detective audiences had come to love.
While The Brasher Doubloon was an improvement upon Fox's previous efforts, it also felt like an inferior copycat of Humphrey Bogart's portrayal in The Big Sleep. Here, George Montgomery played Marlowe, but it lacked the conviction needed to make the character truly come alive on the screen. There's snappy dialogue, a moody atmosphere, and a creepy villain played by Fritz Kortner, but when compared to the best outing of this character in the 1940s, it all felt like an unnecessary attempt to cash in on Marlowe's recent popularity.
8 Poodle Springs (1998) James Caan as Philip Marlowe Poodle Springs (1998) CrimeDrama
Poodle Springs is a 1998 neo-noir crime film that follows private detective Philip Marlowe, played by James Caan, as he navigates a web of crime and mystery in the newly affluent desert town of Poodle Springs. Based on a novel by Raymond Chandler and Robert B. Parker, Marlowe's investigation reveals dark secrets, shedding light on the hidden corruption beneath the town's glamorous facade. Directed by Bob Rafelson, the film captures the classic noir atmosphere.
Director Bob Rafelson Release Date July 25, 1998 Writers Robert B. Parker , Raymond Chandler , Tom Stoppard Cast James Caan , Dina Meyer , David Keith , Tom Bower , Julia Campbell , Brian Cox , Nia Peeples , Sam Vlahos Character(s) Philip Marlowe , Laura , Larry Victor , Arnie Burns , Muffy Blackstone , Clayton Blackstone , Angel , Eddie Garcia Runtime 95 Minutes Main Genre Crime Expand
The most commonly forgotten entry when discussing Philip Marlowe movies was James Caan's take on the character in the 1998 made-for-TV movie Poodle Springs. This neo-noir HBO film was based on Raymond Chandler's unfinished novel Poodle Springs and followed an aging Marlowe in 1963 who was recently married to a young socialite named Laura Parks (Dina Meyer.) From here, Marlowe got mixed up in a story of blackmail and murder amid the wayward antics of Los Angeles' young social scene.
Poodle Springs was just okay, and its saving grace was Caan's performance, as he seemed to be having a great time portraying Detective Marlowe. There were plenty of twists and turns as Poodle Springs hit on the most common film noir tropes and cliches, but something felt missing, and it did not have the same infectious energy as other Chandler adaptations. There's great potential in Poodle Springs, but overall, it was a mid-tier made-for-TV movie that's best sought out by Marlowe completionists and left behind by those without a special affinity for the character.
7 Marlowe (2022) Liam Neeson as Philip Marlowe Marlowe RMysteryThrillerCrime Where to Watch
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Marlowe is a neo-noir crime thriller directed by Neil Jordan, featuring Liam Neeson as the eponymous private detective Philip Marlowe. Set in 1930s Los Angeles, the film follows Marlowe as he becomes entangled in a complex case involving a mysterious heiress, played by Diane Kruger, and a web of deception. The screenplay, adapted by William Monahan, is based on the novel The Black-Eyed Blonde by John Banville.
Director Neil Jordan Release Date February 15, 2023 Studio(s) Parallel Films , H2L Media Group , Nickel City Pictures , StoryBoard Media , Davis Films , Aperture Media Partners , Elipsis Capital , Jeff Rice Films , The Foley Lab , Briarcliff Entertainment , Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland , Parallel Film Productions Writers William Monahan , Neil Jordan Cast Liam Neeson , Diane Kruger , Jessica Lange , Danny Huston , Alan Cumming Runtime 109 Minutes Budget 20000000.0 Main Genre Mystery Expand
Marlowe was the only theatrical depiction of Detective Philip Marlowe in the 21st century, and sadly, it paled in comparison to the character's best representations. While Liam Neeson did a decent job as an older, worldly-weary version of the film noir detective, the film lacked spark and felt like a meandering retread of noir tropes and cliches as it adapted Irish novelist John Baville's authorized The Long Goodbye sequel The Black-Eyed Blonde. For all the love that Marlowe showed for the legacy of its character, the film just never came to life in the way that it needed to.
With Bogart's classic iteration to compete with and the character already having been reimagined for modern audiences by Robert Altman and Eliott Gould, if a director like Neil Jordan really wanted to revive Marlowe once again, then it would have been wise to have something new and urgent to say. However, this was not the case, and Marlowe came across as a fantastic-looking film with practically no purpose. Sadly, Marlowe was a movie doomed to be forgotten entirely just minutes after the credits rolled.
6 Lady In The Lake (1946) Robert Montgomery as Phillip Marlowe Lady in the Lake (1946) ApprovedFilm NoirCrimeMystery
Lady in the Lake is a 1946 film noir directed by and starring Robert Montgomery, based on Raymond Chandler's novel. The film features Montgomery as private detective Philip Marlowe, who is hired to find a missing woman. Notably, the movie employs a first-person perspective, with the protagonist's face rarely seen, creating a unique narrative style that places viewers directly in Marlowe's shoes.
Director Robert Montgomery Release Date January 19, 1947 Writers Steve Fisher , Raymond Chandler Cast Robert Montgomery , Audrey Totter , Lloyd Nolan , Tom Tully , Leon Ames , Jayne Meadows , Dick Simmons , Morris Ankrum Character(s) Phillip Marlowe , Adrienne Fromsett , Lt. DeGarmot , Capt. Kane , Derrace Kingsby , Mildred Havelend , Chris Lavery , Eugene Grayson Runtime 105 Minutes Main Genre Film Noir Expand
Phillip Marlowe was given an extra 'I' in his name for Robert Montgomery's portrayal in Lady in the Lake, a murder mystery based on Raymond Chandler's novel of the same name. Montgomery directed himself in one of the most unusual and unique Marlowe adaptations, and it utilized a point-of-view style as viewers only saw what Marlowe saw and the character only appeared in mirrored reflections or when he addressed the audience directly. This ambitious style made it the first film of its kind, and sadly, contemporary critics dismissed Lady in the Lake as gimmicky.
However, this willingness to try something new made Lady in the Lake stand out among the litany of other inferior Marlowe movies from the 1940s. While its POV style felt interesting and exciting at the beginning, as Lady in the Lake progressed, it began to lose steam, and the style did the movie a disservice by the end. As a unique experiment, Lady in the Lake was an important film noir and an enjoyable Marlowe film, but this was not enough to make it rise above the very best portrayals of the character.
5 Marlowe (1969) James Garner as Philip Marlowe Marlowe (1969) PGCrimeDramaMystery
Marlowe (1969) is a neo-noir crime film directed by Paul Bogart, starring James Garner as private detective Philip Marlowe. The plot revolves around Marlowe's investigation into a missing person case, which leads to a series of complex events involving various crime figures in Los Angeles. The film is based on Raymond Chandler's novel "The Little Sister" and features a cast that includes Bruce Lee, Carroll O'Connor, and Rita Moreno.
Director Paul Bogart Release Date October 31, 1969 Writers Raymond Chandler , Stirling Silliphant Cast James Garner , Gayle Hunnicutt , Carroll O'Connor , Rita Moreno , Sharon Farrell , William Daniels , H.M. Wynant , Jackie Coogan Character(s) Philip Marlowe , Mavis Wald , Lt. Christy French , Dolores Gonzáles , Orfamay Quest , Mr. Cowell , Sonny Steelgrave , Grant W. Hicks Runtime 96 Minutes Main Genre Crime Expand
As the only Detective Philip Marlowe movie that paired the hardboiled investigator with Bruce Lee, Marlowe was an absolute must-see for lovers of film noirs and Kung Fu alike. With James Garner as Marlowe and Bruce Lee in a supporting role as the villain Winslow Wong, Marlowe was a convincing update on well-worn storylines that showcased the character still held some relevance after his heyday in the 1940s. While its litany of subplots made for confusing viewing, film noirs have been known for their complex and convoluted narratives, and Marlowe was no different.
Garner did well in his role as Marlowe and captured just the right balance between subdued charisma and cool confidence that made the character one of the most iconic detectives in all of fiction. Marlowe failed to reach the heights of classics like The Big Sleep and did not reimagine the character as vividly as in The Long Goodbye, but there was still a lot to enjoy about this version. For Bruce Lee alone, Marlowe was worth seeking out.
4 Farewell, My Lovely (1975) Robert Mitchum as Philip Marlowe Farewell, My Lovely (1975) RCrimeMysteryThriller
Farewell, My Lovely is a 1975 film noir adaptation of Raymond Chandler's novel, starring Robert Mitchum as private detective Philip Marlowe. Set in 1940s Los Angeles, Marlowe navigates a series of complex cases involving a missing woman, a corrupt cop, and a formidable gangster. Directed by Dick Richards, the film captures the gritty essence of Chandler's story, presenting a dark and atmospheric portrayal of crime and intrigue.
Director Dick Richards Release Date August 8, 1975 Writers David Zelag Goodman , Raymond Chandler Cast Robert Mitchum , Charlotte Rampling , John Ireland , Sylvia Miles , Anthony Zerbe , Harry Dean Stanton , Jack O'Halloran , Joe Spinell Character(s) Marlowe , Mrs. Grayle , Nulty , Mrs. Florian , Brunette , Billy Rolfe , Moose Malloy , Nick Runtime 95 Minutes Main Genre Crime Expand
As the first film to feature Robert Mitchum as Detective Philip Marlowe, Farewell, My Lovely was a neo-noir update of Raymond Chander's novel, which powerfully captured the seedy underbelly of 1940s Los Angeles. Coming off the back of Chinatown the same year, which similarly paid tribute to film noirs of the past, Farewell, My Lovely felt like a campy tribute to a bygone era in Hollywood. This could have fallen flat on its feet, but with an actor as talented as Mitchum in the lead paired with the accomplished direction of Dick Richards, they pulled it off.
Farewell, My Lovely not only looked great and had incredible performances but gave audiences an updated version of Marlowe that leaned heavily into the hard-boiled style in which Chandler created him. Like the best Marlowe movies, Farewell, My Lovely was full of twists and had a moody atmosphere that sucked viewers into its world. Charlotte Rampling also deserved praise for her portrayal of the quintessential femme fatale seductress, Helen Grayle.
3 Murder, My Sweet (1944) Dick Powell as Philip Marlowe Murder, My Sweet (1944) ApprovedFilm NoirCrimeDrama
Murder, My Sweet is a 1944 film noir directed by Edward Dmytryk, featuring Dick Powell as private detective Philip Marlowe. Adapted from Raymond Chandler's novel Farewell, My Lovely, the story follows Marlowe as he is hired to find a missing woman and becomes embroiled in a complex web of deceit, crime, and murder in Los Angeles. Claire Trevor and Anne Shirley co-star in this quintessential example of the genre.
Director Edward Dmytryk Release Date February 22, 1945 Writers John Paxton , Raymond Chandler Cast Dick Powell , Claire Trevor , Anne Shirley , Otto Kruger , Mike Mazurki , Miles Mander , Douglas Walton , Donald Douglas Character(s) Philip Marlowe , Helen Grayle , Ann Grayle , Jules Amthor , Joe Malloy , Leuwen Grayle , Lindsay Marriott , Police Lt. Randall Runtime 95 Minutes Main Genre Film Noir Expand
Murder, My Sweet was the first true Philip Marlowe movie, as the previous Raymond Chandler adaptations renamed and repurposed the character in different ways. With Dick Powell as Detective Marlowe, this story was based on the novel Farewell, My Lovely, and was a key influence on the development of the film noir genre as a whole. Looking back on the film today, it may be hard to see how trailblazing its stylish atmosphere and dark mood were, as countless noirs copied and mimicked it in the following years.
As Marlowe was drawn into a complex world of murder and deceit, all his classic character traits as a no-nonsense, hard-drinking, and intelligent investigator were fully displayed. Murder, My Sweet was a definitive Chandler adaptation, and Powell even gave Humphrey Bogart a run for his money by being among the best versions of Marlowe cinema that has ever been seen. It's complex, mysterious, and still holds up eight decades later.
2 The Long Goodbye (1973) Elliott Gould as Philip Marlowe The Long Goodbye RDramaComedyCrime Where to Watch
The Long Goodbye, directed by Robert Altman, is a neo-noir film adaptation of Raymond Chandler's novel. Starring Elliott Gould as private investigator Philip Marlowe, the story unfolds in 1970s Los Angeles where Marlowe becomes embroiled in a complex case involving murder, deception, and high society. With a relaxed and unconventional approach, Altman's film provides a unique take on classic detective narratives.
Director Robert Altman Release Date March 8, 1973 Cast Elliott Gould , Nina van Pallandt , Sterling Hayden , Mark Rydell , Henry Gibson , David Arkin , Jim Bouton , Warren Berlinger Main Genre Crime
After having seen so many straightforward film noir portrayals of Philip Marlowe over the years, the satirical edge of Elliott Gould as Detective Marlowe in The Long Goodbye felt like a breath of fresh air. As a film produced in the midst of the New Hollywood era, Robert Altman's The Long Goodbye changed the setting to 1970s Hollywood and shone a light on self-obsessed society as old notions of friendship, loyalty, and purpose had lost their meaning. The Long Goodbye deconstructed hard-boiled detective fiction and imbued it with a self-referential sense of humor.
While The Long Goodbye attempted to do something new with the film noir genre, it was misunderstood in its time as critics misinterpreted Gould's portrayal of Marlowe as being haphazard and out of step with his established traits. However, reimagining Marlowe as an untidy, unshaven, and at times even goofy character highlighted the absurdity of his existence and gave him a sense of realism missing from the suave and charismatic 1940s film noir versions. The Long Goodbye worked well as a satirical one-off reimagining of the character as it subverted everything audiences had come to expect.
1 The Big Sleep (1946) Humphrey Bogart as Philip Marlowe The Big Sleep ApprovedCrimeFilm NoirMystery
The Big Sleep is a 1946 film noir directed by Howard Hawks, featuring Humphrey Bogart as private detective Philip Marlowe. Based on Raymond Chandler's novel, the film follows Marlowe as he investigates the blackmail of a wealthy family's daughter, uncovering a web of crime and intrigue. Lauren Bacall co-stars as Vivian Rutledge, adding to the film's electric atmosphere and complex narrative.
Director Howard Hawks Release Date August 31, 1946 Writers William Faulkner , Leigh Brackett , Jules Furthman , Raymond Chandler Cast Humphrey Bogart , Lauren Bacall , John Ridgely , Martha Vickers , Dorothy Malone , Peggy Knudsen , Regis Toomey , Charles Waldron Runtime 114 Minutes Main Genre Film Noir Expand
There was only ever going to be one answer when it came to the best Philip Marlowe movies, and that was Humphrey Bogart's iconic portrayal in The Big Sleep. As one of the greatest film noirs ever made, The Big Sleep paired Bogart with his real-life wife Lauren Bacall for a classic hard-boiled detective story that captured the essence of what made this genre work so well. From its convoluted storyline to its morally dubious femme fatale, The Big Sleep was a thrilling journey into a world of blackmail, deceit, and murder.
The Big Sleep was a quintessential noir and an absolute must-watch movie for lovers of this genre that highlighted everything special about the character of Philip Marlowe. Marlowe was indeed a hard-drinking, no-nonsense detective, but The Big Sleep also captured his wit, intelligence, and depth of characterization. Ever since The Big Sleep was released in 1946, whenever viewers thought of Philip Marlowe, it was Bogart's face that they imagined, which was a testament to the iconic nature of his performance and the enduring legacy of this all-time classic.
