In addition to many other detective story authors of the 30's and 40's, Raymond Chandler managed to find himself in Hollywood. He also had a great and active influence in creating a movie genre called film noir. All in all the first go was Dashiell Hammett's. It is his "Maltese Falcon", directed by John Huston, known to be the first movie of that kind. But it was Chandler who created the world of film noir with all of its double meaningness. It reflected the American reality of the 40's. It is not a coincidence that the only sane guide in this world is a private detective. A man who is between the good and evil. He seems cynical but in fact he is very tolerant. He's a precise observer and has a knowledge about human souls. He gets to sometimes shocking truth with an expression of tiredness on his face. The character of Marlowe is a detective from Chandler's novel. Its role demanded some sophisticated skills from the actor. Those who played it, went to history: Dick Powell, Humphrey Bogart or Robert Mitchum.
Mitchum has no match for himself. He plays detective Marlowe in search of a gangster's old friend who vanished. She cleared every trail behind her so that every trail of getting to her involves a threat of death. Mitchum is perfect. His words and gestures, not to mention his facial expressions, are just like they should be. And the most interesting fact is that when you look at Mitchum you have no impression of him actually playing the part. He simply is Marlowe - sometimes cynical, sometimes romantic guardian of the law who gets into a dangerous assignment not for the money (25$ a day plus expands)but for the curiosity of truth.
Mitchum had an easier task. He was coming into theatres when film noir had its best days and he was given a free hand from the director. But on the other hand you should have the power and charisma of Mitchum to face the myth 30 years after Bogart's triumph.
Mitchum has no match for himself. He plays detective Marlowe in search of a gangster's old friend who vanished. She cleared every trail behind her so that every trail of getting to her involves a threat of death. Mitchum is perfect. His words and gestures, not to mention his facial expressions, are just like they should be. And the most interesting fact is that when you look at Mitchum you have no impression of him actually playing the part. He simply is Marlowe - sometimes cynical, sometimes romantic guardian of the law who gets into a dangerous assignment not for the money (25$ a day plus expands)but for the curiosity of truth.
Mitchum had an easier task. He was coming into theatres when film noir had its best days and he was given a free hand from the director. But on the other hand you should have the power and charisma of Mitchum to face the myth 30 years after Bogart's triumph.