Marlowe (1969) [SAFE →]

The film features a quintessential late-60s score by Peter Matz, including the theme song "Little Sister" performed by Orpheus. Critical Reception

Based on Raymond Chandler’s 1949 novel The Little Sister Release Date: September 21, 1969 Plot Summary Marlowe (1969)

While traditional noir thrived in the 1940s, Marlowe helped bridge the gap to the 1970s "neo-noir" movement. It traded the classic black-and-white shadows for a vibrant, sun-drenched, yet cynical vision of 1960s Los Angeles. The film features a quintessential late-60s score by

Garner’s portrayal of Marlowe was noted for its "rude wit" and "sense of the grotesque," aligning closely with Chandler’s original description of the character as a man of honor in a "mean" world. Garner’s performance here is often seen as a precursor to his role as Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files . Production Context Garner’s portrayal of Marlowe was noted for its

James Garner (as Philip Marlowe), Gayle Hunnicutt, and Rita Moreno

The film is perhaps most famous today for featuring Bruce Lee in one of his earliest American film roles. He plays Winslow Wong, an intimidation specialist who famously demolishes Marlowe's office with his bare hands and feet.

The story follows private investigator Philip Marlowe, who is hired by a Kansas woman to find her missing brother in Los Angeles. The investigation pulls Marlowe into a web of blackmail, professional hitmen, and the Hollywood movie industry. As Marlowe digs deeper, he discovers that the missing brother is tied to a series of ice-pick murders and a rising film star's secret past.