"A Nero Wolfe Mystery" (2001) TV series

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

22 April 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Action

Tagline:

A new kind of criminal, a new kind of crime, a new kind of client, a new kind of fee.

Plot:

Genius detective Nero Wolfe and his right-hand man, Archie Goodwin, solve seemingly impossible crimes.

Plot Keywords:

Nero Wolfe | Detective | Actress Playing Multiple Roles | Actor Playing Multiple Roles | Based On Novel

Awards:

4 nominations

Cast

Timothy Hutton	...	Archie Goodwin (27 episodes, 2001-2002)
Maury Chaykin	...	Nero Wolfe (27 episodes, 2001-2002)
Colin Fox	...	Fritz Brenner (26 episodes, 2001-2002)
Bill Smitrovich	...	Inspector Cramer (25 episodes, 2001-2002)
R.D. Reid	...	Sergeant Purley Stebbins (22 episodes, 2001-2002)
Conrad Dunn	...	Saul Panzer (21 episodes, 2001-2002)
James Tolkan	...	Avery Ballou / ... (21 episodes, 2001-2002)
Robert Bockstael	...	Agent Stahl / ... (20 episodes, 2001-2002)
Kari Matchett	...	Lily Rowan / ... (17 episodes, 2001-2002)
David Schurmann	...	Director #2 / ... (16 episodes, 2001-2002)
Nicky Guadagni	...	Elaine Usher / ... (15 episodes, 2001-2002)
Steve Cumyn	...	Cecil Grantham / ... (15 episodes, 2001-2002)
Trent McMullen	...	Orrie Cather (13 episodes, 2001-2002)
Richard Waugh	...	Director #1 / ... (13 episodes, 2001-2002)
Boyd Banks	...	Austin 'Dinky' Byne / ... (13 episodes, 2001-2002)
Fulvio Cecere	...	Fred Durkin (12 episodes, 2001-2002)
Christine Brubaker	...	Hattie Harding / ... (12 episodes, 2001-2002)

Also Known As:

Nero Wolfe (USA) (promotional title)

Runtime:

46 min | USA:92 min (pilot)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Jaffe/Braunstein Films

Trivia:

In the tradition of a repertory theater company, each episode featured predominantly the same ensemble of guest actors, cast as different characters in each episode/story.

Quotes:

[Wolfe pretends to have lost his mind]
Nero Wolfe: Aren't you a physician? Don't you know a nervous breakdown when you see one?
Dr. Vollmer: Yes. Yes, I do.
Nero Wolfe: Well, then, what's the matter with it?
Dr. Vollmer: It doesn't seem, um, typical.
Nero Wolfe: That's a faulty observation! That's a defect in your training! Specifically, it's a persecution complex, you idiot!
Dr. Vollmer: And who's been doing the persecuting?

Movie Connections:

Follows The Golden Spiders: A Nero Wolfe Mystery (2000) (TV)

A superb and faithful rendering of an old friend -

I have read every Nero Wolfe book printed and own most of them. I have been reading about the undertakings of the great Nero Wolfe and his right-hand man, Archie Goodwin, since I was in school. It was with great trepidation that I viewed this series; fully expecting to see miscast characters, loss of the very meticulous detail which makes the books so enticing, and a total loss of plot. I was genuinely and wonderfully surprised to find that my expectations were way off the mark.

I could not have cast the characters better had I been permitted to choose them myself. I have been casting these characters in my mind since I started reading the books. I chose Raymond Burr for the part of Nero Wolfe, and although I do believe he would have done the part justice I sincerely do not believe he could have done a better presentation than Mr Chaykin. I was never able cast Archie's part in my mind to any satisfaction and when I read that Timothy Hutton would be playing the part I thought that was a serious error. However as it turns out Mr Hutton plays a perfect Archie. I am at a loss for words to describe why he is so fitted to the character. He looks like Archie, he acts like Archie - he simply is Archie.

The detail that the series has managed to preserve is amazing. If you've read the books you are familiar with the red leather chair and the yellow leather chairs and who gets which and when! Not only are the chairs brought to life, the elevator, the decor, the orchids, Fritz in all of his self righteousness, Wolfe's pushing in & out of his lips, the froth on the beer, the milk, the typewriter....the adherence to the novels is outstanding!! This show feels familiar the first time you watch it.

As it turns out my estimation on the probability of the plots falling apart was also unfounded. The plots are not compromised. We are not shorted a good run down of the clues. I have yet to find a question unanswered. Another wonderful adaptation.

This series has also taken a fairly unique approach to casting the supporting roles in that with the exception of the recurring roles of Wolfe, Goodwin, Fritz, Saul, Orrie, Fred, Cramer and perhaps one or two other minor characters all of the supporting cast appear to be made up of the same actors every week. For example, Christine Brubaker has shown her wide range of acting capability playing parts from a night club singer to a newspaper columnist. This concept not only impresses the audience with the amount of talent but also adds to the feeling that this series is an old friend who has returned for another treasured visit.

I would highly recommend this series to anyone. If you've read the books, I promise that you will not be disappointed. If you have not read the novels then you will be introduced to some of the most complex, human and entertaining characters you will ever meet.

A+ to all involved.