Written by Stirling Silliphant, who was a student of Bruce Lee at the time and specifically wrote the role of Winslow Wong to showcase Lee's martial arts.
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.
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 Marlowe (1969)
James Garner (as Philip Marlowe), Gayle Hunnicutt, and Rita Moreno
The film features a quintessential late-60s score by Peter Matz, including the theme song "Little Sister" performed by Orpheus. Critical Reception Written by Stirling Silliphant, who was a student
At the time of its release, Marlowe received mixed reviews. Some critics felt the transition to the 1960s setting diluted Chandler’s atmosphere, while others praised it as a "fun take" on the character that perfectly captured late-60s L.A.. Modern retrospectives often rank it as a solid entry in the Marlowe filmography, primarily for Garner’s charisma and Lee’s high-energy cameo.
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. As Marlowe digs deeper, he discovers that the
Based on Raymond Chandler’s 1949 novel The Little Sister Release Date: September 21, 1969 Plot Summary