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Who are some of your favorite fictional detectives in a film or show?

posted a year ago by M1sterDoct0r (4423)
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I'm watching Columbo for the first time & I'm having an absolute blast. He's already one of my all time favorite characters.

Next up is to watch the "old" Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) films/show. Been on my list for ages.

Here are just some of my favorite sleuths)

1. Adrian Monk (Monk, tv show)

2. DCI John Luther (Luther, tv show)

3. Veronica Mars (Veronica Mars, tv show)

4. Detective Goren (L&R: Criminal Intent, tv show)

5. Theo Kojak (Kojak, tv show)

6. Shawn & Gus (Psych, tv show)

7. Benoit Blanc (Knives Out, films)

8. Jake Gittes (Chinatown, film)

9. DCI Jane Tennison (Prime Suspect, tv show)

10. Clarice Sterling (Silence of the lambs, film)

11. Mills & Somerset (Se7en, film)

12. Harry Callahan (Dirty Harry, films)

13. Jessica Fletcher (Muder, She Wrote tv show)

14. John Shaft (Shaft, 70s films)

[–] Nanook (1953) a year ago

While I can and do appreciate great mystery/detective movies, it’s not my forté and y’all seem to have all the greats covered, so I’ll take the comedy route, which doesn’t necessarily mean they wouldn’t satisfy a mystery fan:

Gay Perry from Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Nick & Nora Charles from The Thin Man (1934) et. al.

Dirk Gently from Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (2016 TV) - may be divisive among book purists

Jonathon Ames from Bored to Death (2009 TV) - this series starring Jason Schwartzman, Zack Galifanakis and Ted Danson is an absolute gem that needs more exposure and gets better upon multiple rewatches.

Jacques Clouseau from A Shot in the Dark (1964) and of course the Pink Panther films

Jack Cloth from A Touch of Cloth (2012 TV) - this Charlie Brooker-penned show spoofs modern procedural police dramas in a Zucker-Abrahams style. The jokes, both verbal and visual come rapid fire with deadpan delivery. Highly recommended to Police Squad! and Naked Gun fans.

[–] M1sterDoct0r (4423) a year ago

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is so freaking excellent. And Val Kilmer is FANTASTIC as Gay Perry.

One of my favorite performances of his

[–] Nanook (1953) a year ago

Agreed on all counts. Watch it most every Christmas season and sometimes in between, too. Has done nothing but grow on me. Also consider it the best thing Shane Black has ever done. Not even going to get started on Michelle Monaghan…

[–] GlenEllyn (21538) a year ago

Christopher Foyle - Foyle's War
Jimmy Perez - Shetland
Jack Frost - A Touch of Frost
Robbie Lewis - Inspector Lewis
Vera Stanhope - Vera
Jim Rockford - The Rockford Files
Lt Frank Columbo - Columbo
Thomas Magnum - Magnum PI
Endeavour Morse - Inspector Morse
Joe Mannix - Mannix

[–] Luffy (1236) a year ago

House (2008)
Sherlock (2010)
Inspector Barnaby (Midsomer Murders) (1997)
Clarice Starling (1991)
Edogawa Conan/Kudo Shinichi (1996) [Anime]

My real love for detective stories is more anchored in mystery books. I have read about 400 books in the mystery genre in the last 10 years and while that phase is over for me now, I had a blast reading true mysteries that don't have a thriller element to them.

[–] M1sterDoct0r (4423) a year ago

House MD was basically, "what if Sherlock Homes was a doctor". Pretty great show though.

[–] Luffy (1236) a year ago

Agreed on both counts.

[–] mikethemartian (6750) a year ago

Columbo
Jim Rockford
Joe Mannix
Peter Gunn

[–] AmeriGirl26 (14424) a year ago

William Murdoch (Murdoch Mysteries)

Gil Grissom (CSI)

[–] M1sterDoct0r (4423) a year ago

I like Gil Grissom. Watched CSI in high school. Those first few seasons were excellent.

[–] db20db (17254) a year ago

I agree;used to love that show. William Petersen expertly brought to life a uniquely created character at that time.

[–] rcrxjlb (130) a year ago

Virgil Tibbs (In the Heat of the Night 1967 movie).
Simon & Simon (both brothers).
Ford Fairlane (1990 film).

[–] Padeen (6459) a year ago

Fred Abberline from "From Hell."

[–] ColumboKate (5678) a year ago

Columbo 🤗
Poirot (David Suchet)
DCI Tennison (Helen Mirren, Prime suspect)
Dr Tony Hill ( Robson Green, Wire In The Blood)