DOWN THESE MEAN STREETS: Accounts of alternate crime, mystery & thriller adaptations.🕵️‍♂️

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

(A follow up from this post.)
After the success of Murder on the Orient Express, Warner Bros. immediately set about producing a series of Poirot films, starting with the excellent adaptation of Death on the Nile. Bela Lugosi left after The ABC Murders, recognising from prior experience that it was best not to be tied down to any one role for too long. Peter Lorre subsequently took over the part. By this time, Christie (who had obtained a considerable amount of creative control, so as to ensure faithfulness to her text) wanted attention to be given to her other non-Poirot works (especially her Miss Marple stories). Warner Bros. acquiesced; the Poirot films had been less successful since Lugosi left, although Lorre was well liked in the part. The series soon winded down, although dear old Hercule would not be absent onscreen for long. After a short lived radio series starring Adolphe Menjou, and an even more brief television run with Charles Boyer, the next Poirot film would arrive in 1955, with Ealing Studios' exquisite adaptation of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd starring George Sanders as Dr. Sheppard, and Bela Lugosi in his fourth, and final performance as the ageing Belgian sleuth.

LIST OF HERCULE POIROT FILMS (1941-1944)
Death on the Nile (1941)
Starring Bela Lugosi
with Richard Greene as Simon Doyle, Gail Patrick as Linnet Ridgeway, Lana Turner as Jackie de Bellefort and Nigel Bruce as Colonel Race

The ABC Murders (1942)
Starring Bela Lugosi
with Donald Crisp as Captain Hastings, Victor McLaglen as Inspector Japp and Laird Cregar as Alexander Bonaparte Cust

Lord Edgware Dies (1942)
Starring Peter Lorre
with Constance Cummings as Lady Edgware, Donald Crisp as Captain Hastings and Victor McLaglen as Inspector Japp

Cards on the Table (1943)
Starring Peter Lorre
with Billie Burke as Ariadne Oliver, Sydney Greenstreet as Superintendent Battle, Aubrey Mather as Colonel Race and Akim Tamiroff as Shaitana

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (1943)
Starring Peter Lorre
with Maria Montez as Pilar Estravados

 

[Driftless]

^^^Love the premise and especially the casting. Lugosi as Poirot, Burke as Ariadne, and Victor McLaglen as Japp are brilliant choices!

 

[Driftless]

Lorre and Boyer are pretty darned good as well.

Miss Marple and maybe Parker Pyne next? ( I really enjoyed the Pyne stories where he gets pulled in as a reluctant investigator,- mostly in the Med or Middle East))

 

[Driftless]

^^^ The Parker Pyne short stories were written between 1934 and 1939, so depending on how you choose to present him, Sidney Greenstreet, Claude Rains (I'll take Rains in almost any role), or even Robert Donat or Roger Livesey could work - if you're shooting the films in that 30s current time period. If shot in the 50s? Kenneth More, Richard Attenborough, or Roger Livesey again. BTW, Ariadne Oliver and Miss Lemon were regulars in the Pyne stories.

With Miss Marple, the first appearance was 1930 (Murder at the Vicarage), but the bulk of the stories were penned in the 50s and 60s, so you have some wiggle-room for casting. Wendy Hiller if filmed in the 50s or 60s? Eileen Atkins if filmed in the 90s or 00's?

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

The Cadfael Chronicles (1991-1997)
(7 Series, 20 serials, 42 episodes)
A BBC Series
Based on the novels by Ellis Peters

CAST:

• Brother Cadfael (Donald Pleasence, Series 1)
• Brother Cadfael (Philip Madoc, Series 2-7)
• Hugh Beringar (Douglas Hodge)
• Prior Robert (Michael Sheard)
• Brother Jerome (Clive Francis)
• Abbot Heribert (Peter Copley) (Series 1)
• Abbot Radulfus (John Castle)
• Brother Oswin (Mark Charnock)

 

[Driftless]

^^^ Well done list!

They're all good, but I especially like Madoc, Sheard, and Castle in their respective roles (Nice continuity with OTL with Copley and Charnock). I think Madoc would bring life to that sense of the retired warrior turned herbalist. Sheard, would convey that air of entitled superiority and lack of patience with those not showing sufficient servility. Castle is an interesting choice in that he'd be younger than some of his Brothers, but he also was quite good at portraying the cool control and world-wise aura that Terrence Hardimann did in OTL. You always felt that Hardiman's Abbot would be thinking one or two steps ahead of Priorr Robert and all of the others.

I could also see John Castle as Beringar in this version of Cadfael, and as Cadfael himself in a later production.

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

I know this belongs more to the comic book genre than crime, but it still fits somewhat into the parameters of this thread, i.e. noir, thriller etc.
Anyway here are some actors who I think could have been great as the Shadow:
Vincent Price:

Willem Dafoe:

Christopher Walken:

And an actor who would be perfect for the role today:
David Dastmalchian:

Following up from this...

The Shadow (2013-2014)
(1 Season, 22 episodes)
An NBC series
Based on characters created by Walter B. Gibson

CAST:

• Lamont Cranston/The Shadow (David Dastmalchian): An enigmatic vigilante with the power to cloud men's minds.
• Margo Lane (Morena Baccarin): A socialite and philanthropist who develops a relationship with Cranston.
• Commissioner Ralph Weston (Wendell Pierce): An NYPD veteran and beleaguered bureaucrat.
• Harry Vincent (Michael Ealy): A well-to-do playboy and ally of Cranston, who often uses his connections to infiltrate the more corrupt echelons of high society.
• Shiwan Khan (Mark Dacascos): A mysterious master criminal, who claims to be the last living descendent of Genghis Khan.
• Dr. Roy Tam (Tzi Ma): A physician turned therapist for Cranston.
• Det. Jo Cardona (Alana de la Garza): A cynical cop, and reluctant agent of the Shadow.
• Moe Shrevnitz (Abraham Benrubi): A snarky NY cabbie who provides transport for the Shadow's agents.
• Martin Burbank (Michael Dorn): A radio personality, in league with the Shadow.
• Kent Allard (Julian Richings): Cranston's estranged father, the original Shadow.
• Clark "Doc" Savage Jr. (Dave Bautista): A mysterious adventurer.

A short-lived TV adaptation of the classic pulp character, set in contemporary times. Cancelled after one season due to poor ratings, but has gained a small cult-following due to it's pulpy atmosphere, engaging performances, colourful dialogue and self-aware, fun nature.

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

A spin-off of the BBC's Father Brown series, The Eyes of Kalon stars Michael Maloney, reprising his role as the former cult leader and repentant murderer Gerald Firth, alias Kalon. Eager to make up for his past sins, Firth, now resident in the peaceful village of Hambleston, undertakes careers in criminology and criminal reform. He often becomes embroiled in solving murders, much to the chagrin of the local police who often attempt to arrest him for the crimes.

Like it's parent series, The Eyes of Kalon is set in the Cotswolds during the 1950s, although the tone is somewhat more sombre.

The Eyes of Kalon (2023-present)
(1 series, 10 episodes)
A BBC series
Based on characters created by G. K. Chesterton

CAST:

• Gerald Firth/Kalon (Michael Maloney): A former cult leader and convicted murderer turned criminologist, prison reformer and amateur sleuth. He often attempts to redeem the criminals he faces and has to frequently cope with the PTSD and guilt of his past actions. His past proclivities provide him a keen insight into the minds of murderers and obsessive personalities.
• Ms. Agatha Eden (Mina Anwar): Firth's landlady, who begrudgingly becomes wrapped up in his sleuthing.
• Freddy Pickering (Elliot Barnes-Worrell): A small-time pickpocket who Firth takes on as an assistant.
• WPC Hillary Crawford (Alexa Davies): A new addition to the local force; constantly fighting to prove herself in the male-occupied station.
• Inspector Murchison (Paul Kaye): A former Special Branch detective, banished to Hambleston after a prior investigation went awry. He looks upon Kalon with disdain and suspicion.
• Alexander De Vernier (Anton Lesser): A sociopathic criminal mastermind, with designs on reawakening Kalon's murderous tendencies.
• Zuzanna "Susie" Jasinski (Kasia Koleczek): A polish refugee, and a former near-victim of Kalon.
• Father Brown (Mark Williams): An eccentric Roman Catholic priest and amateur detective from the neighbouring village of Kembleford. He is responsible for catching and rehabilitating Firth.

 

[Driftless]

^^^ Nice sequel with plenty of potential.

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

A collaboration between the BBC and RTÉ, based on the 2000-2010 BBC Radio series created by Barry Devlin. The series focuses on Father Paolo Baldi, a Franciscan priest on sabbatical from the order. He has become a lecturer at a Dublin university, and often becomes embroiled in amateur sleuthing.

Baldi (2015-2017)
(3 series, 18 episodes)
A BBC-RTÉ production
Based on the BBC Radio 4 series created by Barry Devlin

CAST:

• Father Paolo Baldi (Aidan McArdle)
• DI Tina Mahon (Charlene McKenna)
• Superintendent Rynne (Conleth Hill)
• Father Troy (Stanley Townsend)

 

[unclepatrick]

A spin-off of the BBC's Father Brown series, The Eyes of Kalon stars Michael Maloney, reprising his role as the former cult leader and repentant murderer Gerald Firth, alias Kalon. Eager to make up for his past sins, Firth, now resident in the peaceful village of Hambleston, undertakes careers in criminology and criminal reform. He often becomes embroiled in solving murders, much to the chagrin of the local police who often attempt to arrest him for the crimes.

Like it's parent series, The Eyes of Kalon is set in the Cotswolds during the 1950s, although the tone is somewhat more sombre.

The Eyes of Kalon (2023-present)
(1 series, 10 episodes)
A BBC series
Based on characters created by G. K. Chesterton

CAST:

• Gerald Firth/Kalon (Michael Maloney): A former cult leader and convicted murderer turned criminologist, prison reformer and amateur sleuth. He often attempts to redeem the criminals he faces and has to frequently cope with the PTSD and guilt of his past actions. His past proclivities provide him a keen insight into the minds of murderers and obsessive personalities.
• Ms. Agatha Eden (Mina Anwar): Firth's landlady, who begrudgingly becomes wrapped up in his sleuthing.
• Freddy Pickering (Elliot Barnes-Worrell): A small-time pickpocket who Firth takes on as an assistant.
• WPC Hillary Crawford (Alexa Davies): A new addition to the local force; constantly fighting to prove herself in the male-occupied station.
• Inspector Murchison (Paul Kaye): A former Special Branch detective, banished to Hambleston after a prior investigation went awry. He looks upon Kalon with disdain and suspicion.
• Alexander De Vernier (Anton Lesser): A sociopathic criminal mastermind, with designs on reawakening Kalon's murderous tendencies.
• Zuzanna "Susie" Jasinski (Kasia Koleczek): A polish refugee, and a former near-victim of Kalon.
• Father Brown (Mark Williams): An eccentric Roman Catholic priest and amateur detective from the neighbouring village of Kembleford. He is responsible for catching and rehabilitating Firth.

You do know that there is A spinoff of the 2013 Father Brown show called Sister Boniface Mystery .
It on Brit Box

 

[unclepatrick]

(A follow up from this post.)
After the success of Murder on the Orient Express, Warner Bros. immediately set about producing a series of Poirot films, starting with the excellent adaptation of Death on the Nile. Bela Lugosi left after The ABC Murders, recognising from prior experience that it was best not to be tied down to any one role for too long. Peter Lorre subsequently took over the part. By this time, Christie (who had obtained a considerable amount of creative control, so as to ensure faithfulness to her text) wanted attention to be given to her other non-Poirot works (especially her Miss Marple stories). Warner Bros. acquiesced; the Poirot films had been less successful since Lugosi left, although Lorre was well liked in the part. The series soon winded down, although dear old Hercule would not be absent onscreen for long. After a short lived radio series starring Adolphe Menjou, and an even more brief television run with Charles Boyer, the next Poirot film would arrive in 1955, with Ealing Studios' exquisite adaptation of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd starring George Sanders as Dr. Sheppard, and Bela Lugosi in his fourth, and final performance as the ageing Belgian sleuth.

LIST OF HERCULE POIROT FILMS (1941-1944)
Death on the Nile (1941)
Starring Bela Lugosi
with Richard Greene as Simon Doyle, Gail Patrick as Linnet Ridgeway, Lana Turner as Jackie de Bellefort and Nigel Bruce as Colonel Race

The ABC Murders (1942)
Starring Bela Lugosi
with Donald Crisp as Captain Hastings, Victor McLaglen as Inspector Japp and Laird Cregar as Alexander Bonaparte Cust

Lord Edgware Dies (1942)
Starring Peter Lorre
with Constance Cummings as Lady Edgware, Donald Crisp as Captain Hastings and Victor McLaglen as Inspector Japp

Cards on the Table (1943)
Starring Peter Lorre
with Billie Burke as Ariadne Oliver, Sydney Greenstreet as Superintendent Battle, Aubrey Mather as Colonel Race and Akim Tamiroff as Shaitana

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (1943)
Starring Peter Lorre
with Maria Montez as Pilar Estravados

I like the casting of Peter Lorre as Poirot .

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

Morse (2021-2023)
(4 series, 13 episodes)
A BBC Radio 4 series
Dramatised from the novels by Colin Dexter

SERIES ONE (September-October 2021):
Last Bus to Woodstock
Last Seen Wearing
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn

SERIES TWO (February-March 2022):
Service of All the Dead
The Dead of Jericho
The Riddle of the Third Mile

SERIES THREE (November-December 2022):
The Secret of Annexe 3
The Wench is Dead
The Jewel That Was Ours

SERIES FOUR (February-March 2023):
The Way Through the Woods
The Daughters of Cain
Death Is Now My Neighbour
The Remorseful Day

CAST:

• Detective Chief Inspector Morse (Samuel West)
• Detective Sergeant Robbie Lewis (Owen Teale)
• Chief Superintendent Strange (Roger Ashton-Griffiths)
• Dr. Max DeBryn (David Timson)

A series of faithful dramatisations of all 13 of the original Morse novels by Colin Dexter. Notable for including elements omitted from the TV adaptations: i.e. Morse driving a Lancia instead of a jaguar, and Lewis being an older Welshman. Much like the TV series, most episodes feature at least one prominent guest star.

 

[Driftless]

^^^ Brilliant, with extra points for the choice of voice talent.

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

SELECT AGATHA CHRISTIE FILMOGRAPHY

Dame May Whitty as Miss Jane Marple in The Body in the Library

WARNER BROS:
Murder on the Orient Express (1940), with Bela Lugosi as Hercule Poirot
Death on the Nile (1941), with Bela Lugosi as Hercule Poirot
The ABC Murders (1942), with Bela Lugosi as Hercule Poirot
Lord Edgware Dies (1942), with Peter Lorre as Hercule Poirot
Cards on the Table (1943), with Peter Lorre as Hercule Poirot
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (1943), with Peter Lorre as Hercule Poirot

Murder at the Vicarage (1944)
Starring Dame May Whitty as Miss Marple
with Sir Cedric Hardwicke as Rev. Leonard Clement and Frieda Inescort as Griselda Clement

The Body in the Library (1945)
Starring Dame May Whitty as Miss Marple
with Beulah Bondi as Dolly Bantry, C. Aubrey Smith as Colonel Melchett and Edward Arnold as Inspector Slack

The Moving Finger (1945)
Starring Dame May Whitty as Miss Marple
with Raymond Massey as Jerry Burton

PARAMOUNT:
N or M? (1944), with Ray Milland as Tommy and Paulette Goddard as Tuppence

MGM:
Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? (1945), with Cary Grant as Bobby Jones and Donna Reed as Lady Frances Derwent

RKO RADIO PICTURES:
The Secret of Chimneys (1946), with Barbara Hale as Eileen Brent and Roland Young as Superintendent Battle

 

[Driftless]

I particularly like Lugosi and Lorre, Dame May Whitty, Milland, Goddard, and Grant for the roles listed.

I think of Eileen "Bundle" Brent and kind of a youthful headstrong handful. I haven't really got a better option than Hale, in that time frame.
(*edit* Young Rhonda Fleming?)

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

Yeah, thinking of era appropriate casting was a struggle for me too.

 

[unclepatrick]

SELECT AGATHA CHRISTIE FILMOGRAPHY
View attachment 851262
Dame May Whitty as Miss Jane Marple in The Body in the Library

WARNER BROS:
Murder on the Orient Express (1940), with Bela Lugosi as Hercule Poirot
Death on the Nile (1941), with Bela Lugosi as Hercule Poirot
The ABC Murders (1942), with Bela Lugosi as Hercule Poirot
Lord Edgware Dies (1942), with Peter Lorre as Hercule Poirot
Cards on the Table (1943), with Peter Lorre as Hercule Poirot
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (1943), with Peter Lorre as Hercule Poirot

Murder at the Vicarage (1944)
Starring Dame May Whitty as Miss Marple
with Sir Cedric Hardwicke as Rev. Leonard Clement and Frieda Inescort as Griselda Clement

The Body in the Library (1945)
Starring Dame May Whitty as Miss Marple
with Beulah Bondi as Dolly Bantry, C. Aubrey Smith as Colonel Melchett and Edward Arnold as Inspector Slack

The Moving Finger (1945)
Starring Dame May Whitty as Miss Marple
with Raymond Massey as Jerry Burton

PARAMOUNT:
N or M? (1944), with Ray Milland as Tommy and Paulette Goddard as Tuppence

MGM:
Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? (1945), with Cary Grant as Bobby Jones and Donna Reed as Lady Frances Derwent

RKO RADIO PICTURES:
The Secret of Chimneys (1946), with Barbara Hale as Eileen Brent and Roland Young as Superintendent Battle

I was going to ask why they did not do the best Miss Marple book, “ A Murder is Announce”?
Then I remember it was not published till the 50’s .

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

Nero Wolfe (1959-1961)
(2 seasons, 52 episodes)
A CBS series
Based on the characters created by Rex Stout

A pre-Star Trek William Shatner and character actor Kurt Kasznar deliver very satisfactory takes on Archie and Wolfe in this uniformly excellent series. They are ably supported by the sadly infrequently used recurring cast of Harry Morgan as Inspector Cramer, Frank Gorshin as Sgt. Purley Stebbins and Eduardo Ciannelli as Fritz Brenner.

 

[Driftless]

View attachment 858220
Nero Wolfe (1959-1961)
(2 seasons, 52 episodes)
A CBS series
Based on the characters created by Rex Stout

A pre-Star Trek William Shatner and character actor Kurt Kasznar deliver very satisfactory takes on Archie and Wolfe in this uniformly excellent series. They are ably supported by the sadly infrequently used recurring cast of Harry Morgan as Inspector Cramer, Frank Gorshin as Sgt. Purley Stebbins and Eduardo Ciannelli as Fritz Brenner.

Homerun casting!