One of the best and most popular genres we have.
As a big fan of the old PBS series Mystery!, and its follow on series Masterpiece Mystery.
So I am fan of some of the British and BBC characters.
For me the number one detective has to be Sherlock Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes as played by Basil Rathbone is my favorite.
Although when Jeremy Brett came along and played Sherlock I was very impressed.
I never thought anyone else could do as well. He did an excellent job too.
Then there is the one and only:
Horace Rumpole
In my mind one of the best characters in the British detective genre.
Although he was a British barrister at the “Old Bailey,” London's Central Criminal Court.
He was the classic underdog, fighting to find the truth to the crime in question.
And who can not mention Detective Chief Inspector Morse.
Women played great detectives too, such as Helen Mirren as Detective Jane Tennison.
How about Miss (Jane) Marple as played by the great Helen Hayes and great Angela Lansbury.
I’d need to mention:
Detective Inspector Edmund Reid.
Detective Aurelio Zen
A bit of Italy as we never see it.
Ok, the British version of Italy. Still it is fun to watch, which is the point after all.
Brother Cadfael
Great 12th century murder mystery series.
Hercule Poirot
Need I say more about Poirot?
We all have our favorite American detective or detectives.
Some very interesting characters here, which in my opinion is a requirement of the genre, an interesting quirky personality in the detective.
Sam Spade, the original American tough guy detective.
Mike Hammer. The more modern tough guy in the foot steps of Sam Spade.
Magnum.
Columbo.
Quirky, in his manner, in his rumpled coat, and funky car.
McCloud, an all American, tall in the saddle, upstanding, and sharp as a whip detective.
Jim Rockford, another all American, using his brains to catch the bad guys, and get through his life as best he can.
Harry Calahan, the classic, 70’s tough guy, as only Clint could play him.
Joe Friday, no nonsense, straight laced LA cop.
This at a time when the LA cops had some serious problems with their public image.
Jesse Stone, cool, quite, friendly, yet street wise, and sharp as they come.
Telly Savalas’ Kojak. Who loves ya baby?
As for foreign films how about some Chinese mystery, drama, and action?
Detective Dee
Kung Fu, action, adventure, mystery, great visuals, great period costumes. What more do you need?
Oh, this has inspired me to look into more Chinese, and Japanese and Korean mystery movies myself.
Lastly not exactly on the big screen or small screen, but on radio, The Shadow.
"Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!"
Just kidding.
And Scooby Doo and friends of course.
