Philip Marlowe

Philip Marlowe is a detective created by Raymond Chandler in the 'hardboiled genre' of which Chandler is the most notable practitioner. Marlowe's character is typical of this kind of crime fiction that originated with Dashiell Hammett and Black Mask magazine in the 1920s and that is based on a pessimistic view of the world—that society in general is corrupt. Marlowe is presented as a wisecracking, street-wise, tough private dick out to earn a living -- yet with a rock-solid set of morals. While he is not afraid to risk physical harm, he does not dish it out merely to settle scores. Morally upright, he is not bamboozled by the genre's usual femme fatale, like Carmen Sternwood in The Big Sleep. As Chandler wrote about his detectives in general, "He might seduce a countess; he would not despoil a virgin." Not to be confused with Philip E. Marlow, the title character in Dennis Potter's musical drama TV series The Singing Detective (1986). The name was used consciously in reference to the Chandler character, and the hard-boiled detective genre in general. See also crime fiction for an overview. Category:Fictional detectives