"The Singing Detective" (1986) TV mini-series 1986-

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

16 November 1986 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Musical | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Disease | Hallucination | Hospital | Private Detective

Awards:

6 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

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)

Series Directed by
Jon Amiel		(6 episodes, 1986)

Series Writing credits
Dennis Potter		(6 episodes, 1986)

Series Produced by
John Harris	....	producer (6 episodes, 1986)
Rick McCallum	....	executive producer (6 episodes, 1986)
Kenith Trodd	....	producer (6 episodes, 1986)

Series Original Music by
Stanley Myers		(2 episodes, 1986)

Series Cinematography by
Ken Westbury		(6 episodes, 1986)

Series Film Editing by
Bill Wright		(3 episodes, 1986)
Sue Wyatt		(3 episodes, 1986)

Series Casting by
Michelle Guish		(1 episode, 1986)

Series Production Design by
Jim Clay		(6 episodes, 1986)

Series Costume Design by
Hazel Pethig		(6 episodes, 1986)

Series Makeup Department
Frances Hannon	....	make-up and hair designer (6 episodes, 1986)

Series Production Management
Michael Darbon	....	production manager (6 episodes, 1986)
Rosemary Padvaiskas	....	production manager (6 episodes, 1986)

Series Art Department
Joanna Ball	....	graphics designer / graphic designer (6 episodes, 1986)
Laurie Miller	....	property master (6 episodes, 1986)
David Morris	....	properties buyer (6 episodes, 1986)

Series Sound Department
Clive Derbyshire	....	sound recordist (6 episodes, 1986)
Rob James	....	film dubbing mixer / dubbing mixer (6 episodes, 1986)
Colin Ritchie	....	dubbing editor / sound editor (4 episodes, 1986)
John A. Parry	....	film sound recordist (3 episodes, 1986)
Mark Day	....	sound editor / dubbing editor (2 episodes, 1986)
Susan Metcalfe	....	dubbing editor (2 episodes, 1986)

Series Special Effects by
Chris Reynolds	....	special effects technician (1 episode, 1986)

Series Visual Effects by
Mat Irvine	....	visual effects designer (6 episodes, 1986)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Sid Morris	....	gaffer (6 episodes, 1986)
Alfie Williams	....	grip (6 episodes, 1986)
Nigel Slatter	....	camera operator (5 episodes, 1986)
James Moss	....	second assistant camera / clapper loader (3 episodes, 1986)

Series Casting Department
Michelle Guish	....	casting advisor (5 episodes, 1986)

Series Editorial Department
Alan Bishop	....	colorist (1 episode, 1986)
Rob Sylvester	....	editing assistant (1 episode, 1986)

Series Music Department
Max Harris	....	music advisor / music supervisor (6 episodes, 1986)

Series Other crew
Garry Boon	....	assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1986)
Ian Brindle	....	production associate (6 episodes, 1986)
Diana Brookes	....	production assistant (6 episodes, 1986)
Lynda Pannett	....	assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1986)
Anna Price	....	assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1986)
Quinny Sacks	....	choreographer (6 episodes, 1986)
Nick Wyse	....	assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1986)
Joanna Ball	....	title designer (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

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

Distributors

• BBC Four (2012) (UK) (TV)
• BBC Video (video)
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1986) (UK) (TV)
• CBS/Fox (video)
• Warner Home Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

USA:415 min | UK:70 min (6 episodes)

Country:

Australia | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:MA | UK:15

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The most controversial scene in the entire production was when the young Philip witnesses his mother having sex in the undergrowth with a local man. This brought howls of protest from the puritanical quarters of the British press, partly for the graphic nature of the scene (Patrick Malahide is seen to be thrusting into Alison Steadman) and the fact that such a scene was being played out in front of a child. In reality of course the latter was simply not true. Child actor Lyndon Davies wasn't involved with the filming of this scene at all, apart from his own close-ups which were shot separately. For his close-ups, Davies was reacting to the director, Jon Amiel. Nevertheless, Amiel and producer Kenith Trodd had to convince BBC1 controller Michael Grade that the scene should air intact. To his credit, Grade agreed to this.

Quotes:

Reginald Dimps:You must lie there all day, thinking of murdering people.
Philip E. Marlow:Yes. Yes, I do.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Gilmore Girls: Teach Me Tonight (#2.19)" (2002)

Soundtrack:

Peg o' My Heart

Brilliant psychological drama

"The Singing Detective" very well may be the best thing done on television. Gambon is outstanding as the lead role, Marlow; he takes command of the performance so that you the viewer see Gambon as Phillip. The story is so rich and detailed with psychological questions that Marlow reflects on from his hospital bed; as you see him find resolutions to his questions, his skin condition becomes better. In the flashbacks, as he has more problems, it becomes worse. This is just one of many predicaments that Marlow faces throughout his time in his life. The story asks psychological questions about childhood, humans as sexual beings, the existence of God, and the healing (and destroying) powers of the mind. "The Singing Detective" is a quite cerebral and a brilliant show. SEEK THIS SERIES OUT and treasure it!