Film Noir - Best Detectives

[Olivia Bauer]

I got on the computer at school today. I should be using it to study but, in the long run what does it matter? They gray walls of the school closed in on me as I realized I'm talking to myself like I'm in a Noir movie. As I sat in my chair my head swam with ideas on how to alleviate this thought. Then it hit me like a brick to the head. I need to post this on Badmovies.org and ask people about their favorite dark monologuing detective characters.

[bob]

Private investigator Philip Marlowe from The Big Sleep

[Rev. Powell]

Sam Spade will always be the king.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B76s0SF47xw

[Olivia Bauer]

Sam Spade will always be the king.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B76s0SF47xw

Is that Peter Lorre getting slapped? (Casablanca, Arsenic and Old Lace, M)

[Rev. Powell]

Sam Spade will always be the king.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B76s0SF47xw

Is that Peter Lorre getting slapped? (Casablanca, Arsenic and Old Lace, M)

Yes. Lorre is great in this too (as are Sidney Greenstreet and Mary Astor). THE MALTESE FALCON is a must see!

[Jim H]

Yeah, Marlowe and Spade...  I guess it should really just be "Humphrey Bogart".  He is the king of the classic noir detective film.  It's hard for me to pick between the two, as they're pretty similar characters.  Spade definitely is less dark and cynical with more humor in his personality.  For the dark brooding and more traditional type, go with Marlowe, for the less serious but still pretty grim one, go with Spade.

Or we can split Phillip Marlowe in two and get this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzTYzh3C9bY&feature=related