MovieChat Forums > Farewell, My Lovely (1975) Discussion > Re: Phillip Marlowe's hero Joe DiMaggio

Re: Phillip Marlowe's hero Joe DiMaggio

posted 19 years ago by rsgre
19 replies | jump to latest

Hi Jack & Everyone,

Here is something on Phillip Marlowe's hero, Joe DiMaggio:

In 1937 DiMaggio led the American League in home runs and runs scored, and in 1939 and 1940 he led the American League in batting, with averages of .381 and .352. DiMaggio was a very consistent hitter; early in his career, during his 1933 season with the Seals, he had a hitting streak of 61 consecutive games. His consistency led to one of the most remarkable records of major league baseball—DiMaggio's feat of hitting safely in 56 consecutive games (May 15–July 16, 1941). The prior record for the longest hitting streak of 44 games was set in 1897 (and, at that time, foul balls did not count as strikes). With the exception of DiMaggio's streak, no player has hit in more than 44 consecutive games since. In addition to his fine hitting ability, DiMaggio had outstanding skill as a fielder, tying the American League fielding record in 1947 with only one error in 141 games. Indeed, he played his position in center field with such languid expertise that some ill-informed fans thought he was lazy—he rarely had to jump against the outfield wall to make a catch or dive for balls, he was simply there to catch them.

(P.S. So now we know for sure that the film ends in July of 1941).

Regards,

RSGRE

[–] pacwarbuff 19 years ago

If I recall correctly, there is no mention of DiMaggio in the novel, though it was a nice touch for the film, which proves that if something different is added to a film version, it can succeed on it's own merits if it's in the spirit of the book. I also like the mention from the newsie with Hitler invading the Soviet Union, which would make it June 22, 1941. DiMaggio's hit streak began May 15, 1941 and ended July 17, 1941. I'm thinking that Marlowe's final voiceover about Joe D. getting stopped in Cleveland may have to take place some time after the Moose Malloy case wrapped.

It's spelled "Definitely."

[–] rsgre 19 years ago

Thanks for your comments pacwarbuff. Interesting to know the exact date of Hitler's invasion of Russia. By the way,I see in today's news that the USA is about to hit the 300 milion population mark. In 1941 it was about 135 million. The way of life portrayed in the film was about to end forever too, as our Federal government became much bigger, and began to tax us more, began to intrude into our lives, tell us how to live, and attempt to "legislate happiness".
It was a "live and let live" society in 1941. Everyone minded their own business, and people lived among their own social level and race. WWII would "stir the pot" for everyone, and things would never be the same again. That's what I like so much about this film. It portrays a poorer, but hardier country, espedially through the character of Phillip Marlow.

(P.S. I wonder where Jack is right now. He's as scarce as "Moose Malloy" was throughout the film!)
Regards,

RSGRE

[–] pacwarbuff 19 years ago

rsgre, I like your style; it's always good to read your thoughts. Maybe our collective Karma will produce a FML DVD...

It's spelled "Definitely."

[–] rsgre 19 years ago

Thanks for your compliment pacwarbuff! Glad to see some other fans at this site as well. I hope Jack shows up again soon. My VHS copy is okay, fits right in with the sleazy atmosphere, but a brand new restored DVD would be even better (With optional narrated version by Jack would be a plus too). I'll be back...!

Best regards,

RSGRE

[–] oversplayer 19 years ago

For some reason, Jack continues to respond to messages on his own IMDB page but has stopped responding on this one.

His last message on his page was sent 2 days ago.

He may have been distracted this week because Velma has been appearing on one of the Encore channels (in "The Verdict").

[–] johjohm 19 years ago

I am still around just been busy with Superman Returns.

All the Best

Jack

[–] rsgre 19 years ago

Thanks for the tip Oversplayer and thanks for your comments Jack! I forgot you starred in the first two Superman films! Must be doing interviews and things, huh? "Velma" is in "The Verdict"? I'll have to check her out sometime!

Regards,

RSGRE

[–] oversplayer 19 years ago

Hello, Jack

Since you recently checked this thread, I thought I would resend a couple of questions I posted on another that you missed.

Best of luck in your upcoming endeavors.

Jeff in Orange County

[The previous message follows:]

"Jack,

It is a huge thrill to have you here. Mike Mazurki was a marvelous performer and an immensely tough act to follow, but you were spectacular.

Two questions, if you don't mind:

(1) How do you compare "Farewell, My Lovely" with the original ("Murder, My Sweet")?

(2) I watched an interview with Mitchum very late in life and, when asked to name which of his films he thought was best, he replied: "I wouldn't know. I never watched any of them. I just went to work and collected my paycheck at the end."

Was he really that disinterested in the art that he was creating or was this just part of his act?

After all, anyone who alternates between getting in bar fights and writing poetry is a rather complex individual, to say the least.

If you haven't read it, Lee Server's biography ("Robert Mitchum: Baby, I Don't Care") is the most entertaining book I have ever read.

My favorite parts:

(1) After serving 60 days in jail for marijuana possession, Mitchum flew to Mexico to join the cast of "The Big Steal," and his private plane crashed as it was about to land. The cast was dining in a small cafe when word of the crash spread. Finally, the door of the cafe bursts open, and a tattered Mitchum stumbles in.

His first words: 'Anyone have a joint?'

(2) When asked to describe jail, Mitchum replied: 'It was like Palm Springs without the riffraff.'"

[–] johjohm 19 years ago

Mike was a good friend I liked him alot as we belonged to a club for retired Wrestler and Boxers that met every month.I thought Farewell reminded me of the book more and had that feel for the period.Farewell had a great look and we had Mitchum.

Robert was a great individual he gave great interviews.But he really loved doing films and he liked working on Farewell alot because we had a great crew.There were several oscar winners on the crew.

All the Best

Jack

[–] oversplayer 19 years ago

Thanks for the reply, Jack.

I once went to to a jazz club in New Orleans called "The Famous Door." There's a tablet out front bearing the names of famous people who stopped in. Mike Mazurki and Steve Cochran are on there next to each other

Can't even imagine how much fun it would have been to have partied on Bourbon Street with those two classic performers.

Mike was also superb as "The Strangler" in the original "Night and the City."

Best regards,

Jeff

[–] johjohm 19 years ago

Mike was a fine individual and very well read.

All the Best

Jack

[–] rsgre 19 years ago

Nice to hear from you again Jack! Are you enjoying the limelight because of the new Superman movie? By the way, that "Florian's Night Club" scene in the movie...was that an actual place in Los Angeles? And that "transient motel...somewhere between a flea bag and a dive"...where was that place? I'm trying to get "the scoop" on all these sites while you are here!

Best regards,

RSGRE

[–] johjohm 19 years ago

The Florian set was built in a building off 5th and Main the Hotel was a real operating Hotel I believe if memory serves me well it was off Broadway very seedy area to say the least.But very effective.I remember when we were down there a few people came up to Robert who had actually been in jail with him it was a hoot.

All the Best

Jack

[–] rsgre 19 years ago

Thanks Jack. Now where was that seedy motel where you were almost gunned down by those two thugs? It is such a surprise to find out that everything was filmed on location, I'm so glad you are here! How about Judge Baxter Wilson Grail's mansion...where was that? It looks vaguely familiar, I think I have seen it in another film or two.
I'm sure I will have more...

Best regards,

RSGRE

[–] johjohm 19 years ago

The mansion was on Sunset Blvd in Beverly Hills and the motel was out in the Valley way out in the valley.

All the Best

Jack

[–] rsgre 19 years ago

Thanks again Jack...very interesting! By the way, were the interiors for the mansion done there as well? It's not very often that you have a chance to talk with someone that starred in a movie you like. I wish stars like Robert Mitchum, Burt Lancaster, & Gregory Peck (just to mention 3 of my favorites)were still around to talk about their films. I see that you have your own site at IMDB as well, where you answer all questions. I'll have to get over there as well...!
Jack...what are the chances of a new DVD with you doing the narration? Have you talked to all the producers about it? It looks like there is enough interest out here for it. I'll be in touch...! (Hey, wasn't that your line...? Another line I like is when Marlowe asks you about Baxter Wilson Grail, and you say: "how many people is that...?" Really funny...!). I'll be around...

Best regards,

RSGRE

[–] johjohm 19 years ago

I would love to do a DVD voice over for this film and pick up where Robert left off.As I have told you before this film is very close to my heart.

All the Best

Jack

[–] Noir-It-All 9 years ago

The New Deal programs started during Roosevelt's first term that began in January 1933.

[–] rsgre 9 years ago

Hi Everyone, thanks for your posts, wow, I started this thread almost 10 years ago and I am glad to see it is still here ! Provides some interesting info for fans of this film. Don't forget the new DVD that is out, it's great !

RSGRE