There is not a current good private eye series.

[Green Lantern wannabe]

We have Indiana Jones, the archaelogist, and we also have James Bond, the suave spy. But there's no private eye that has captured our imagination recently, as Indie or James have - I'm talking about the traditional guy with trench coat, works out of a grungy office with one smart-mouthing secretary, and recounts his adventures in the first person.

The closest is Harrison Ford in Bladerunner, but that's both sci-fi and private eye.

[Ronald Bryan]

We had something similar, but Veronica Mars got cancelled.

[GRANT!]

Too bad NBC canceled this gem (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgaWkW4YJc4).

[KiFF86]

Private eyes, they're watching you. (Clap Clap), Wooooo Private eyes, they're watching you watching you.

[Sabrinaset]

Ever since Eddie Valiant cracked the Toontown case, it's been downhill from there!

[Green Lantern wannabe]

By coincidence, I'm watching Blade Runner now. I wish we had a good sci-fi PI series.

In fact, I can't think of a good PI series that's on right now.

[mgs]

Monk is pretty enjoyable.

[StoneGold]

We have Indiana Jones, the archaelogist, and we also have James Bond, the suave spy. But there's no private eye that has captured our imagination recently, as Indie or James have - I'm talking about the traditional guy with trench coat, works out of a grungy office with one smart-mouthing secretary, and recounts his adventures in the first person.

The closest is Harrison Ford in Bladerunner, but that's both sci-fi and private eye.

You have a funny definition of recent. 30-50 year old franchises.

[malephoenix]

We had something similar, but Veronica Mars got cancelled.


Veronica Mars...

I'm SO SORRY I didn't watch this show when it was on. If only I'd known what I was missing and could have given even a fraction of a percentage higher ratings by watching it and getting others hooked as well...

[Green Lantern wannabe]

Good point, Stonegold. :smile:

But Indy and James are still around (at least, James is). There's no PI that's still around.

[Wenatchee the Hatchet]

Can you explain why you're referring to movies and not TV? TV has Monk and had Veronica Mars recently, both of which seemed like great examples of the PI genre on TV. Even Angel really amounted to a PI show with other genre trappings so I think you'd have a better case that there's no PI representation in feature film than TV because almost any random show on TV has elements of the PI genre these days.

[StoneGold]

There's always that Cheaters show.

[mgs]

There's always that Cheaters show.

oh yeah, that's right! O.O that guy and his team work that angle, and in real life too.

[Green Lantern wannabe]

Well, that's my ignorance - I don't know anything about those TV series. But, yes, I was thinking of feature films, as opposed to TV.

[Wenatchee the Hatchet]

Probably because there aren't books about one character interesting enough to get the greenlight for movie production, I guess. But off the top of my head Marlowe and Spade are the only private detectives even from earlier eras I can even remember.

[Cyke]

If we're doing TV, I'd like to point out Burn Notice. Sure, it's a spy-thriller disguised as a PI show, but it's still a PI show. Such a great fusion of genres there.

[Julusnc]

Robert Parker has a great small town sheriff Jesse Stone as a character in a number of CBS tv movies.They are great.

[Green Lantern wannabe]

Indiana Jones has a fantasy/sci fi tone to it, and James Bond is of course a form of science fiction, with all the gadgets and madmen villians.

I'm wondering if a good private eye movie series could involve the guy in the trenchcoat with a sci fi theme, like, say, the PI going out to find rogue androids (blade runner), or finding out about aliens or spiritual matters (similar to X-files), or the like. I think there was a TV series back then about this, Kolchak (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolchak:_The_Night_Stalker), except that involved a reporter, not a PI.

I'm getting intrigued. Maybe I can do an indie movie like that. :)

[Ryan K]

I don't think you're gonna see a series of Private Eye films any time soon, if ever again. It's a genre (if you can call it that) that the mainstream has passed by. There just isn't a large enough audience to justify a series of films

As for TV, I just read about a new series coming for HBO starring Jason Scwartzman as a depressed, alcoholic, writer who apparently starts pretending he's a private eye in the mold of Hammett and Chandler's. It's called Bored to Death. Sounded pretty good.

[marshal99]

The short lived Dresden files is a PI series , admittedly in a fantasy setting but still ......:biggrin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHhhNytvjIY

[Green Lantern wannabe]

I'm not convinced that there's no market gap for PI movies. I think it's universal and timeless. There weren't any good sci fi series until Star Wars came along, and then Star Trek went to the movies too.

[Ryan K]

I'm not convinced that there's no market gap for PI movies. I think it's universal and timeless. There weren't any good sci fi series until Star Wars came along, and then Star Trek went to the movies too.

But there was already a market for science fiction films to allow for a series of them.

There is no market for PI films today. There just isn't. At all.

When was the last PI film? I can think of a lot of neo-noirs from the past decade that use aspects of PI films, but not very many straight-up PI films. And none of those neo-noirs could really be considered blockbusters. There were successes, sure. But none made the type of money that would make a studio throw money at a filmmaker to start a series of PI films.

So first you're gonna need some PI films to get made, then you'll need some to make some money (and I don't mean make their budget back, I mean actually make some big numbers), then maybe (MAYBE) you could get a series going. Like I said, it aint happening anytime soon. In today's market it just doesn't seem very likely.

As for PI stories being universal and timeless, I'd argue that. Most are very much of their time and very American (and British to an extent). Not to say PI stories can't be in different times and settings, but the overwhelming majority fall into the depression-era, American stereotype. And most fans of PI stories like it that way. They like the nostalgic, paint-by-numbers, inconsequential mystery, with the hard boiled banter. So I don't know if universal and timeless are the first words I'd use to describe PI stories.

[Ryan K]

OK, so I'm looking over lists of Private Eye films, neo-noirs, and just general detective movies. And as far as I can see the last traditional private eye film made by a big studio was 1995's Devil in a Blue Dress starring Denzel Washinton as Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins.

We've had a ton of stuff emulate detective stories. Movies like Brick, Mulholland Drive, KIss Kiss Bang Bang, even The Big Lebowski. And maybe you could count something like Hollywoodland, but in my mind that movie wasn't really a PI film as much as it just used a PI film as a framing around the real film. Hell the lists I reviewed were basically a rundown of my favorite films from the past two decades. But most weren't sucessful.

L.A. Confidential sticks out as one that made some money (that's without me looking up the grosses on all those movies). It made $64 million. But that was 11 years ago and with stellar reviews and Oscar nominations to bring up the totals. PI films and neo-noir just aren't the kind of franchises that Indiana Jones or Star Wars are. They really never were and sure as hell aren't gonna be 60-70 years after their heyday.

For the most part those types of films have been replaced by police-procedurals. Just look at the TV Guide or the movie listings, you'll find tons of police-procedurals. That's what the public wants now and PI's are just relegated to niche audiences nowadays.

[Subotai]

One of the Mike Hammer books was rumoured to be Michael Mann's follow-up to Heat, along with Count Zero, but nothing happened.

[ultramandingo]

........who needs tv - Darwyn Cooke To Adapt 'Parker' Novels

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080723-comic-con-cooke-parker.html

[StoneGold]

Probably doesn't help there aren't a ton of PIs left. Between no-fault divorce and the Internet, they've kind of been squeezed out of a lot of market opportunities. So when they do appear in films, it's more as "fixers" or something.

[berk]

Ever hear of Butch Patterson, Private Dick (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7k5YjfbcLQ)? Canadian show from a few years ago.

[Kaos]

They Never Shoulda Cancelled Veronica! Whhhhy Lord? Whhhhy?

[Green Lantern wannabe]

I just picked up a Dresden novel from the local sci-fi store. It looks promising.

I also got a Batman novel awhile back, and it was also a detective story - and Batman is, of course, the world's greatest detective.

[Julusnc]

I just picked up a Dresden novel from the local sci-fi store. It looks promising.

I also got a Batman novel awhile back, and it was also a detective story - and Batman is, of course, the world's greatest detective.

I would think the mantle of world's greatest detective would always go to Sherlock Holmes.

[Green Lantern wannabe]

But does Sherlock got a billion dollars? :tongue:

[Slappy san]

Robert Parker has a great small town sheriff Jesse Stone as a character in a number of CBS tv movies.They are great.

It's too bad that Sunny Randall didn't get the nod instead. Come on Helen Hunt....make it happen.

[Slappy san]

But there was already a market for science fiction films to allow for a series of them.

There is no market for PI films today. There just isn't. At all.

When was the last PI film? I can think of a lot of neo-noirs from the past decade that use aspects of PI films, but not very many straight-up PI films. And none of those neo-noirs could really be considered blockbusters. There were successes, sure. But none made the type of money that would make a studio throw money at a filmmaker to start a series of PI films.

So first you're gonna need some PI films to get made, then you'll need some to make some money (and I don't mean make their budget back, I mean actually make some big numbers), then maybe (MAYBE) you could get a series going. Like I said, it aint happening anytime soon. In today's market it just doesn't seem very likely.

As for PI stories being universal and timeless, I'd argue that. Most are very much of their time and very American (and British to an extent). Not to say PI stories can't be in different times and settings, but the overwhelming majority fall into the depression-era, American stereotype. And most fans of PI stories like it that way. They like the nostalgic, paint-by-numbers, inconsequential mystery, with the hard boiled banter. So I don't know if universal and timeless are the first words I'd use to describe PI stories.

8mm comes to mind....but I'm sure there has been something since.

[Slappy san]

OK, so I'm looking over lists of Private Eye films, neo-noirs, and just general detective movies. And as far as I can see the last traditional private eye film made by a big studio was 1995's Devil in a Blue Dress starring Denzel Washinton as Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins.

We've had a ton of stuff emulate detective stories. Movies like Brick, Mulholland Drive, KIss Kiss Bang Bang, even The Big Lebowski. And maybe you could count something like Hollywoodland, but in my mind that movie wasn't really a PI film as much as it just used a PI film as a framing around the real film. Hell the lists I reviewed were basically a rundown of my favorite films from the past two decades. But most weren't sucessful.

L.A. Confidential sticks out as one that made some money (that's without me looking up the grosses on all those movies). It made $64 million. But that was 11 years ago and with stellar reviews and Oscar nominations to bring up the totals. PI films and neo-noir just aren't the kind of franchises that Indiana Jones or Star Wars are. They really never were and sure as hell aren't gonna be 60-70 years after their heyday.

For the most part those types of films have been replaced by police-procedurals. Just look at the TV Guide or the movie listings, you'll find tons of police-procedurals. That's what the public wants now and PI's are just relegated to niche audiences nowadays.

The Easy Rawlins series was such a wasted opportunity. The book series is awesome.

KKBB was awesome btw.

[Green Lantern wannabe]

The X-files were something like that, except Mulder and Sculley were government agents.

[the goddamn batman]

...except Mulder and Sculley were government agents.

That pretty much removes the from the "Private Investigator" department.:wink:

[Wannabe]

I would think the mantle of world's greatest detective would always go to Sherlock Holmes.

No way. That title goes to Sherlock Holmes smarter brother, Sigerson Holmes. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventure_of_Sherlock_Holmes%27_Smarter_Brothe r)

[mattx110]

No way. That title goes to Sherlock Holmes smarter brother, Sigerson Holmes. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventure_of_Sherlock_Holmes%27_Smarter_Brothe r)
yikes! never seen that, but I must!

[the goddamn batman]

No way. That title goes to Sherlock Holmes smarter brother, Sigerson Holmes. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventure_of_Sherlock_Holmes%27_Smarter_Brothe r)

Or, you know... Batman.

[Toreador]

Sherlock Holmes is making a comeback to the screen with Robert Downing Jr. as Holmes.

Right now the PI genre is dead but it only needs someone studio to make a kick-ass movie to get it rolling again. Westerns were considered dead at one time at it made a small surge years ago. The genre stays alive with a movie now and then like '3:10 To Yuma' and the upcoming 'Appaloosa'.

A good series to make movies on are the Travis McGee books. I don't know why this series hasn't been used more than it has. Good characters and interesting stories. Doesn't seem they'd be too expensive to make. McConaughey would make a good young McGee and could last a while in a series of movies.

Sue Grafton books would make a good series as well.

[Legato]

Sin City was rather close to that. It was almost a nod to the black & white PI Film noir.

Speaking of Genres that are somewhat dead can we say horror films to a certain degree, well atleast when it comes to original horror movies? If you really think about it you dont see that very many original horror films anymore.

The only types you see are remakes of either classic horror movies or adaptations of horror novels and Asian Horror.

It is like Hollywood is afraid of making a horror movie that is original and unique enough to captivate the audience

[Sean Walsh]

Is PSYCH technically a PI show too?

There's a rumor that the PI introduced in HOUSE this season might be getting his own spin-off. I'd say it'd be more along the lines of MONK - dramatic, but comical too.

[Ronald Bryan]

Is PSYCH technically a PI show too?

There's a rumor that the PI introduced in HOUSE this season might be getting his own spin-off. I'd say it'd be more along the lines of MONK - dramatic, but comical too.
Psych would be a PI show if every episode wasn't about them solving crimes for the police/with the police.

And year, the PI in House was brought in with the idea of giving him a spin off.

[Toonimator]

Yeah, I'd count PSYCH as a PI show. Sure they're usually working for the SBPD, but Monk is usually working for the SFPD himself.

I keep waiting for a crossover between those two shows... of course, it'll mean at least three minutes of Monk repeating--at various speeds & volumes, and to random people--"He's not a psychic." And just when you think he's done, he'll either murmur "He's not a psychic" again, or burst out when someone else is talking "He's NOT a PSYCHIC!"

But it'll still be fun :)

[howyadoin]

Well, that's my ignorance - I don't know anything about those TV series. But, yes, I was thinking of feature films, as opposed to TV.Kiss Kiss Bang Bang?


A good series to make movies on are the Travis McGee books. I don't know why this series hasn't been used more than it has.Because the adaptions they've done to date were shit, and because - from what I've read, anyway - John D. didn't want to see anymore of his work bastardized.

And because the real key to the books is Travis's rants about the commercialization of Florida, and incorporating that stuff into a film could be problematic.

[jesse_custer]

We have Indiana Jones, the archaelogist, and we also have James Bond, the suave spy. But there's no private eye that has captured our imagination recently, as Indie or James have - I'm talking about the traditional guy with trench coat, works out of a grungy office with one smart-mouthing secretary, and recounts his adventures in the first person.

The closest is Harrison Ford in Bladerunner, but that's both sci-fi and private eye.

Why would a traditional PI story capture anyone's imagination? The reason why Indiana Jones and James Bond captured our imaginations was that they were unlike traditional archaeologists and spies, respectively.

You need to look into neo-noir pronto.

[Green Lantern wannabe]

I agree. It doesn't have to be traditional - I was thinking of the standard garb of trench coat and first person narrative.

A new twist to this could be Blade Runner, for example, but nothing else comes to mind.

[mattx110]

Jude Law is supposedly considered for a Holmes movie.

Making it the third character first played by Michael Caine he'd be doing. I think it might just be bs to make another Caine connection... BTW, only one of them is a natureal blonde.:wink:

[yamiangie]

I'd say we don't see any PI shows is because we have all those CSIs on the air where they sovle crimes.

[Zero Hunter]

Pushing Daisys is a PI show more or less. They just solve mysteries by talking to dead people. Emerson Cod is a classic PI type

[ponset]

I still miss watching NERO WOLFE and his legman ARCHIE GOODWIN on A&E.
Have been slowly reading my way thru the novels by Rex Stout.

Have been watching season one of "Mannix" with Mike Conners.
Very good detective show with lots of action.