Television Noir

[Atomic Age]

I rember not liking Perry Mason (most children did`nt) because all they did was talk. You`re right,Atomic Age,that series had a real dark feel to it.It felt sort of creepy whenever the folks had it on.Honorary TV Noir status....GRANTED!

Don`t remeber Private Eye.So many promising series were snuffed out before their time.

HMH

I used to watch Perry Mason with my mom as a kid. I always liked it, but I was a weird kid.

Private Eye was an interesting show and its a shame it didn't make it. Very cool title sequence with a great theme by Joe Jackson.

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Doug

 

[Nathan Dodge]

Philip Marlowe, Private Eye starring Powers Boothe from the 1980s is about as close to Noir as recent shows ever got. They did a decent adaptation of Chandler's Marlowe story, Red Wind.

 

[Atomic Age]

Philip Marlowe, Private Eye starring Powers Boothe from the 1980s is about as close to Noir as recent shows ever got. They did a decent adaptation of Chandler's Marlowe story, Red Wind.

This show is all the more remarkable for having been filmed in England, and only second unit stuff being shot in LA.

Doug

 

[ScionPI2005]

Dr. Zachary Smith (Jonathon Harris,I believe?) was probably one of the most underrated actors of that era.The man completely made that show.What a classic voice as well--perfect annunciation and erudition.

Lost In Space had some good camera and lighting work early on as well as very sinister monster sound effects.Heck,even Michael Renney for 2 episodes!!

Once they started filming in color it sucked out most of the noir.One or two color episodes were dark (the android machine making duplicate Smith`s)but not noir.

"Oh the pain.The pain of it all."
HMH

You're absolutely right. I used to watch reruns of Lost in Space on SciFi years ago as a kid. Looking back, I can definitely agree that Jonathan Harris did make the show. Also, looking back, I realize the black and white episodes were really interesting. The show honestly became sort of stupid when they started filming in color. Still, it's been years since I've seen an episode; I'll have to look them up again.

 

[ScionPI2005]

Philip Marlowe, Private Eye starring Powers Boothe from the 1980s is about as close to Noir as recent shows ever got. They did a decent adaptation of Chandler's Marlowe story, Red Wind.

I found the first season of this show on Amazon.com not long ago. I've only watched the first episode of it, but it seems well done and intriguing so far.

 

[Mahagonny Bill]

Danger Man/Secret Agent is also very film noir in style and subject matter.

 

[Atomic Age]

I found the first season of this show on Amazon.com not long ago. I've only watched the first episode of it, but it seems well done and intriguing so far.

I was really impressed with Philip Marlowe: Private Eye. I believe it was the first original show done for HBO, and it had a fairly small budget.

Also, interestingly many of the episodes were directed by Peter Hunt, who edited most of the early Bond films and directed On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Also the titles were done by Maurice Binder who did titles for most of the Bond films.

Doug

 

[Nathan Dodge]

One of the better episodes of the Marlowe series was Pickup on Noon Street, which guest-starred a pre-Head of the Class Robin Givens, who gave a good performance.

I recall the show being on HBO when I was about twelve but I was unaware that it got cancelled and reappeared a few years later. Was it on the USA network or did it return to HBO three years later? I don't recall.

 

[Atomic Age]

One of the better episodes of the Marlowe series was Pickup on Noon Street, which guest-starred a pre-Head of the Class Robin Givens, who gave a good performance.

I recall the show being on HBO when I was about twelve but I was unaware that it got cancelled and reappeared a few years later. Was it on the USA network or did it return to HBO three years later? I don't recall.

I believe that all of the episodes originated on HBO, but I'm not sure why the 3 year delay between the first and second seasons.

However it was VERY unusual in 1983 for a non big 3 network to order a TV series. Remember that Fox, the 4th network was still 3 years away when this show started, so it wasn't exactly a normal situation. I don't think the show was actually canceled. I think it was always intended to be a limited run, and they decided later to order more shows.

Doug