SINGING DETECTIVE, THE, NO. 6: WHO DONE IT (TV)
Summary
This six-part drama, written by renowned British author Dennis Potter, combines elements of drama, music, and the detective genre. The drama consists of three plots that run parallel and often interweave and collide in surreal moments: the impressions, thoughts, and travails of writer Phillip Marlow, who is confined in the hospital with a disfiguring skin disease; the story of the young Phillip Marlow and his family troubles; and the escapades of protagonist Phillip Marlow in the spy novel "The Singing Detective." Throughout, the hospitalized Marlow's thoughts and delusions materialize in musical and dramatic sequences. The same characters often appear in more than one plot. In the final episode, Marlow attempts to come to terms with his illness and his memories. His body is healing, and he is faced with finding a suitable conclusion for his novel "The Singing Detective," which he has been re-plotting during his hospital stay. In the story, Binney is murdered, and the gangsters who break into his house turn out to be bunglers from a British intelligence agency. At the site of the crime, they suddenly realize that they are no more than characters in a novel, and this realization overwhelms them. They decide that they should murder the author, Marlow, who is responsible for their predicament. In the hospital, Marlow remembers returning to his hometown after his mother committed suicide, and he recalls his feelings of guilt; nightmares involving his former teacher return to him; he is uncertain about how to conclude the plot he has devised involving Nicola and Finney; and his disposition improves as he learns to walk again. The intelligence agents show up and begin to physically torture him to get revenge, but the "singing detective" arrives to save his alter ego, and a shoot-out ensues. Marlow eventually leaves the hospital with Nicola.
(This program aired on PBS under the umbrella of "Channel Crossings." Contains graphic images and sexually explicit language; viewer discretion advised.) Acquisition and cataloging of this program was made possible by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Details
- NETWORK: BBC1 (United Kingdom)
- DATE: January 22, 1988 Friday
- RUNNING TIME: 1:16:32
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T91:0238
- GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, fantasy/science fiction; Musical; Private detective; Writers
- SERIES RUN: BBC1 - TV series, 1986
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rick McCallum … Executive Producer
- John Harris … Producer
- Kenith Trodd … Producer
- Jon Amiel … Director
- Dennis Potter … Writer
- Quinny Sacks … Choreographer
- Michael Gambon … Cast, Philip Marlow
- Janet Suzman … Cast, Nicola
- Patrick Malahide … Cast, Mark Binney / Finney / Raymond
- Alison Steadman … Cast, Mrs. Marlow
- Joanne Whalley … Cast, Nurse Mills
- Bill Paterson … Cast, Dr. Gibbon
- David Ryall … Cast, Mr. Hall
- Gerard Horan … Cast, Reginald
- Leslie French … Cast, Noddy Tomkey
- Jim Carter … Cast, Mr. Marlow
- Ron Cook … Cast, First Mysterious Man
- George Rossi … Cast, Second Mysterious Man
- Imelda Staunton … Cast, Staff Nurse White
- Wally Thomas … Cast, Granddad Baxter
- Lyndon Davies … Cast, Philip (aged 10)
- Janet Henfrey … Cast, Schoolteacher
- Sharon D. Clarke … Cast, Night Nurse
- Geff Francis … Cast, Porter
- Malcolm Storry … Cast, Policeman
- Tricia George … Cast, Physiotherapist
- Niven Boyd … Cast, First Soldier
- David Thewlis … Cast, Second Soldier
- William Speakman … Cast, Mark Binney (aged 10)
- Samantha Bryant … Cast, Barbara