SINGING DETECTIVE, THE, NO. 2: HEAT (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 (Gambon), who is confined in the hospital with a disfiguring skin disease; the story of the young Phillip Marlow (Davies) and his family troubles; and the escapades of protagonist Phillip Marlow (Gambon) 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 second episode, the "singing detective" Phillip Marlow is sought out by Mark Finney (Malahide) to help clear his name in the murder of Sonia (MacKenzie), a Soviet spy who was working undercover as a prostitute. In the hospital, the author Phillip Marlow is questioned by a psychiatrist who has read his novel "The Singing Detective," and they have a combative discussion about sexuality. A new patient in the ward, an old man, brings back memories of Marlow's father (Carter). Marlow recalls scenes from his youth in which his parents fought bitterly and he caught his mother (Steadman) having an affair. A visit from his ex-wife, Nicola (Suzman), prompts an obscenity-filled outburst from Marlow.
(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 8, 1988
- RUNNING TIME: 1:09:17
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T91:0234
- GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, fantasy/science fiction; Private detective; Musical; Writers
- SERIES RUN: BBC1 - TV series, 1986
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rick McCallum … Executive Producer
- John Harris … Producer
- Kenith Trodd … Producer
- John Amiel … Director
- Dennis Potter … Writer
- Quinny Sacks … Choreographer
- Michael Gambon … Cast, Philip Marlow
- Patrick Malahide … Cast, Mark Binney / Raymond
- Janet Suzman … Cast, Nicola
- 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, Mr. Tomkey
- Jim Carter … Cast, Mr. Marlow
- Ron Cook … Cast, First Mysterious Man
- George Rossi … Cast, Second Mysterious Man
- Imelda Staunton … Cast, Staff Nurse White
- Sharon D. Clarke … Cast, Night Nurse
- Simon Chandler … Cast, Dr. Finlay
- Charles Simon … Cast, George Adams
- Thomas Wheatley … Cast, Registrar
- Geff Francis … Cast, Porter
- Mary McLeod … Cast, Sister Malone
- Janet Henfrey … Cast, Schoolteacher
- Lyndon Davies … Cast, Philip (aged 10)
- Kate McKenzie … Cast, Sonia
- Richard Butler … Cast, Grancher
- Maggie Holland … Cast, Gran
- Joan White … Cast, Mrs. Adams
- Trevor Cooper … Cast, Cloth Cap
- William Speakman … Cast, Mark Binney (aged 10)