Nero Wolfe (1979) (TV)

Director:

Frank D. Gilroy

Writers:

Rex Stout (novel)
Frank D. Gilroy (writer)

Release Date:

19 December 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery

Plot:

A wealthy realtor sends out dozens of copies of a book that paints the FBI in an unfavorable light. They harass her. So she turns to Nero Wolfe to get them off her back. |

Plot Keywords:

Nero Wolfe | TV Series Pilot | Based On Novel | Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Thayer David	...	Nero Wolfe
Tom Mason	...	Archie Goodwin
Brooke Adams	...	Sarah Dacos
Biff McGuire	...	Inspector Cramer
John Randolph	...	Lon Cohen
Anne Baxter	...	Mrs. Rachael Bruner
David Hurst	...	Fritz
John O'Leary	...	Theodore Horstmann
Sarah Cunningham	...	Mrs. Althaus
Lewis Charles	...	Saul Panzer
Frank Campanella	...	Durkin
John Gerstad	...	Dr. Vollmer
John Hoyt	...	Hewitt
Ivor Francis	...	Evers
Allen Case	...	Rugby

Runtime:

120 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Emmet G. Lavery Jr. Productions Inc.

Trivia:

Filmed in 1977 as a series pilot, it was held on the shelf for two years because of the sudden death of the star, Thayer David, and emerged as a late, post-midnight premier. The studio, Paramount, persevered, and a series, "Nero Wolfe" (1981) did eventually air, completely recast but using the same sets for Wolfe's mansion's interiors.

Quotes:

Mrs. Rachael Bruner: I'd heard that Nero Wolfe wasn't afraid of anything.
Nero Wolfe: One can retreat from folly without backing into fear.

Thayer David's best

Many Nero Wolfe and Rex Stout purists think that this is the very best adaptation of a Wolfe story. Thayer David was hidden behind many a plant and other obstructions purportedly because he was very ill at the time suffering from cancer (as told to me by Rex Stout biographer and Edgar Winner John McAleer) and the same people thought that the casting of Archie Goodwin by Tom Mason was too young. I personally find him to be the best of the Archies despite his youth (25 at the time, I am told.) It is based on "The Doorbell Rang Twice" I am told. Anyone who can tell me otherwise is fine with me.

Still, the production overall is as good as it gets and I liked Thayer David's look and tone. I especially liked the Sherlock Holmes references since I am a true Sherlockian, and the fact that the portrait of Holmes is made to look much like Basil Rathbone, one of my favorite purveyors of the role. I prefer David to Maury Chaykin who's demeanor just misses for me. It is only a shame that Orson Welles never got to play the corpulent detective, or Raymond Burr for that matter. (Both were scheduled to play the part in productions that never saw fruition, unfortunately. There was even talk of John Ritter or Bill Cosby playing Archie, his man Friday, and I am glad that neither got to do THAT role.) Anyway, if you wanted to know what the book series was all about before reading Mr. Stout's excellent page turners, this is the best example yet.

It looked like a labor of love for all concerned and I cannot recommend it highly enough.