Watching Nero Wolfe

I must confess that I watch next to no television. I may watch a little news here and there, but, on the whole, I'd rather be reading. I particularly dislike most TV adaptations of classic mysteries, especially the ones which feel they have to "update" or "modernize" the stories.

But then along comes Nero Wolfe. Or, to be more accurate, along came Timothy Hutton and Maury Chaykin and a superb troupe of regular players to bring Nero Wolfe and his stories to the home screen via A&E TV. I've actually sat down and watched some of them. They are good. And - miracle of miracles - they are quite faithful to the original stories. The writers and producers had the sense to take Rex Stout's carefully written stories, which are first-person narratives for Archie Goodwin, and simply put the words into Archie's off-camera voice. It's like having Archie on hand to tell you the story himself.

With the holidays coming up, I want to call your attention to an Amazon deal: they are offering the whole series on DVD for a remarkably low price - it's only about a third of the original list price. You get all 20 episodes that were produced for the two seasons of the television show, including the original two-hour pilot based on "The Golden Spiders." There are assorted other extras in the package as well. Frankly, I think it's a present Wolfe fans ought to be giving themselves. (Yes, if you click through on my link above and order the package, I get a remarkably small cut. Full disclosure.)

Most of the earlier Wolfes and Goodwins on TV and in the movies ranged from awful to embarrassing, but the Chaykin-Hutton shows are really worth watching. Do yourself a favor and get them.

Comments

[Joan Kyler]

I remember liking this series when it was first shown on TV. Timothy Hutton is a favorite of mine. In this series, he was carrying on the family tradition of portraying classic detectives: his father, Jim Hutton, played Ellery Queen on TV.

[Les Blatt]

I have only watched a few of them, but the ones I've seen have been outstanding, Joan. I was very impressed by "Death of a Doxy," for example, which hit just about all the major points from the book and really emphasized Archie's narration. Timothy Hutton, I believe, was one of the producers of the show as well as being the co-star. I hadn't made the connection to Jim Hutton - good point!

[Yvette]

I'm going to have to watch this series when I get a chance, don't think Netflix has it on streaming yet, but when they do...I remember watching one or two and thinking not all that much about it. But with your recommendation carrying the weight it does, Les. I'm willing to reevaluate. :)

I do like Murray Chaykin and was saddened to hear of his passing. I loved his grumpiness. :)

[Les Blatt]

Yvette, I think Maury Chaykin was the best of the TV/movie Wolfes - though he did have a tendency to bellow more often than Wolfe probably would have bellowed...