The Singing Detective (1986– )

Tormented and bedridden by a debilitating disease, a mystery writer relives his detective stories through his imagination and hallucinations.

Stars:

Michael Gambon, Patrick Malahide, Joanne Whalley

6 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Michael Gambon	...	Philip Marlow (6 episodes, 1986)
Patrick Malahide	...	Mark Binney (6 episodes, 1986)
Joanne Whalley	...	Nurse Mills (6 episodes, 1986)
David Ryall	...	Mr. Hall (6 episodes, 1986)
Gerard Horan	...	Reginald (6 episodes, 1986)
Leslie French	...	Mr. Tomkey (6 episodes, 1986)
Ron Cook	...	First Mysterious Man (6 episodes, 1986)
George Rossi	...	Second Mysterious Man (6 episodes, 1986)
Sharon D. Clarke	...	Night Nurse (6 episodes, 1986)
Lyndon Davies	...	Philip (aged 10) (6 episodes, 1986)
Geff Francis	...	Porter (6 episodes, 1986)
Janet Suzman	...	Nicola (5 episodes, 1986)
Alison Steadman	...	Mrs. Marlow (5 episodes, 1986)
Jim Carter	...	Mr. Marlow (5 episodes, 1986)
Imelda Staunton	...	Staff Nurse White (5 episodes, 1986)
Janet Henfrey	...	Schoolteacher (5 episodes, 1986)
Bill Paterson	...	Dr. Gibbon (4 episodes, 1986)
William Speakman	...	Mark Binney (aged 10) (4 episodes, 1986)
Wally Thomas	...	Grandad Baxter (3 episodes, 1986)
Charles Simon	...	George Adams (3 episodes, 1986)
Kate McKenzie	...	Sonia (3 episodes, 1986)
Trevor Cooper	...	Barman (3 episodes, 1986)
Charon Bourke	...	Amanda (2 episodes, 1986)
Simon Chandler	...	Dr. Finlay (2 episodes, 1986)
Mary MacLeod	...	Sister Malone (2 episodes, 1986)
Thomas Wheatley	...	Registrar (2 episodes, 1986)
Ken Stott	...	Uncle John (2 episodes, 1986)
Jo Cameron Brown	...	Aunt Emily (2 episodes, 1986)
Niven Boyd	...	First Soldier (2 episodes, 1986)
Angela Curran	...	Mary (2 episodes, 1986)
David Thewlis	...	Second Soldier (2 episodes, 1986)

Storyline

Reworking material from his first novel, "Hide and Seek" (1973), and folding this into a prismatic blend of autobiographical details, popular music and 1940s film noir, Dennis Potter delivered a drama now regarded as a 20th-century masterwork. Detective novelist Philip Marlow (Michael Gambon) suffers from the crippling disease of psoriatic arthropathy. Confined to a hospital bed, Marlow mentally rewrites his early Chandleresque thriller, "The Singing Detective," with himself in the title role, drifting into a surreal 1945 fantasy of spies and criminals, along with vivid memories of a childhood in the Forest of Dean. As past events and 1940s songs surface in his subconscious, Marlow's voyage of self-discovery provides a key to conquering his illness, while his noir-styled hallucinations evoke the Philip Marlowe of Chandler's "Murder, My Sweet" (1944), starring Dick Powell, who later became a "singing detective" on radio's "Richard Diamond, Private Detective" (1949), crooning to ...

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Plot Keywords:

detective | disease | hallucination | hospital | private detective | 

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

Australia UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 November 1986 (UK)

Also Known As:

Az éneklő detektív

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

415 min 70 min (6 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer Kenith Trodd originally wanted Nicol Williamson for the lead role. Director Jon Amiel insisted on Michael Gambon instead. (Ironically, Williamson turned down the role when offered it.)

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Quotes

Philip E. Marlow: Can I go back to the ward now? I lead an exciting and vibrant life there.

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Connections

References Blow-Up (1966)

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Soundtracks

"Peg o' My Heart"
(uncredited)
Music by Fred Fisher
Performed by Max Harris & His Novelty Trio during the credits

User Reviews

Greatest television ever made

Dennis Potter was the master of the teleplay and this is the pinnacle of his art. Clever and intelligent dialogue, a brilliant use of non-linear narrative, and a faultless cast all contribute to making this a modern masterpiece.