My Favorite Mystery Series
I always love a good murder mystery, especially if its in a series. This is my list of my favorite mystery series. For this list, its the main character is either a cop, detective or is acting as one. Note, one actor on this list has not only appeared in two mystery series but he's also an Oscar winner as well.
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- DirectorW.S. Van DykeStarsWilliam PowellMyrna LoyMaureen O'SullivanFormer detective Nick Charles and his wealthy wife Nora investigate a murder case, mostly for the fun of it.In 1934, actors William Powell and Myrna Loy would begin a film series involving the husband and wife team of Nick and Nora Charles, that would solve murder mysteries. This series would go on to produce a total of six films, spanning over 2 decades. The series would end in 1947.
- DirectorSidney LanfieldStarsBasil RathboneNigel BruceRichard GreeneSherlock Holmes and Dr Watson investigate the legend of a supernatural hound, a beast that may be stalking a young heir on the fog-shrouded moorland that makes up his estate.The Hound of the Baskervilles would be the first film in the Sherlock Holmes series starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. The two actors would appear in two films for 20th Century Fox. Later, the duo would start making films as Holmes and Dr. Watson when the series moved over to Universal Pictures. In total, Rathbone and Bruce would make 14 films together as Holmes and Dr. Watson.
- DirectorHamilton MacFaddenStarsWarner OlandJohn GarrickMarguerite ChurchillCharlie steps in to solve the murder of a wealthy American found dead in a London hotel. Settings include London, Nice, San Remo, Honolulu, and Hong Kong. Fast-paced with lots of wisecracking.Actor Warner Oland has the distinction of being the first actor to play Lt. Charlie Chan of the Honolulu Police. Mr. Oland would play Chan from 1931 until 1937. After his death in 1937, Sidney Toler would replace Mr. Oland, playing Charlie from 1938 until his death in 1947. Roland Winters would replace Toler in the late 40's. However, for me, Oland and Toler are the definitive Charlie Chan.
- DirectorGeorge ArchainbaudStarsEdna May OliverRobert ArmstrongJames GleasonShady stockbroker and abusive husband Gerald Parker is found dead in the penguin pool of a NYC aquarium after being knocked cold by his wife's boyfriend.In 1932, actress Edna Mae Oliver would star as Hildagard Withers, a teacher in New York City who was also an amateur sluth. Ms. Oliver would go to star in two more films making this a trilogy.
- DirectorFred ZinnemannStarsEdward ArnoldAnn HardingDonna ReedA blind detective and his seeing-eye dog investigate a murder and discover a Nazi plot.Edward Arnold would create one of the most unusual characters to ever appear in a mystery series. He played Duncan McClain, a blind detective. His partner was his service dog, Friday. Unfortunately, they would only do two films together.
- DirectorWilliam ClemensStarsBonita GranvilleJohn LitelFrankie ThomasNancy Drew, contest-reporter for the local newspaper, clears a young woman of murder charges.Bonita Granville would become the second woman in cinema history to lead her own mystery series, after Edna Mae Oliver. Ms. Granville is the first young woman to play Nancy Drew. She would appear in three films over a three year period.
- DirectorJohn FarrowStarsGeorge SandersWendy BarrieJonathan HaleSimon Templar, the Saint, travels to San Francisco to solve crime mysteries within the police department.Oscar winner George Sanders appears on this list twice. First, he played a character called, The Saint, aka Simon Templar. The Saint would go undercover solving cases in which he was implicated in to prove his innocence. Sanders would appear as The Saint for a total of five films.
- DirectorIrving ReisStarsGeorge SandersWendy BarrieAllen JenkinsThe Falcon investigates jewel thieves who are working with hard up socialites to defraud insurance companies. First of the Falcon series.In 1941, George Sanders would become Gay Laurence, aka, The Falcon. Like Simon Templar, the Falcon would investigate crimes in which involved jewel robbery or a heist and sometimes would be framed for said crime. He mainly would have to solve the crime to prove his innocence. Mr. Sanders would grow tired of this role and in 1942, would appear in his last appearance as the Falcon called, The Falcon's Brother." Incidentally, Sanders' real-life brother, actor Tom Conway, would take on the role from his brother in this film and for the rest of the series.
- DirectorJacques TourneurStarsWalter PidgeonRita JohnsonHenry HullDetective Nick Carter is brought in to foil spies at the Radex Airplane Factory, where a new fighter plane is under manufacture.Walter Pigeon would become Nick Carter, Master Detective in 1939. He would play Nick Carter for three years, making Nick Carter the only trilogy the actor has ever appeared in.