Nero Wolfe (1979) (TV)

Director:

Frank D. Gilroy

Writers:

Rex Stout (novel)
Frank D. Gilroy (writer)

Release Date:

19 December 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery

Plot:

A wealthy realtor sends out dozens of copies of a book that paints the FBI in an unfavorable light. They harass her. So she turns to Nero Wolfe to get them off her back. |

Plot Keywords:

Nero Wolfe | TV Series Pilot | Based On Novel | Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Thayer David	...	Nero Wolfe
Tom Mason	...	Archie Goodwin
Brooke Adams	...	Sarah Dacos
Biff McGuire	...	Inspector Cramer
John Randolph	...	Lon Cohen
Anne Baxter	...	Mrs. Rachael Bruner
David Hurst	...	Fritz
John O'Leary	...	Theodore Horstmann
Sarah Cunningham	...	Mrs. Althaus
Lewis Charles	...	Saul Panzer
Frank Campanella	...	Durkin
John Gerstad	...	Dr. Vollmer
John Hoyt	...	Hewitt
Ivor Francis	...	Evers
Allen Case	...	Rugby

Runtime:

120 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Emmet G. Lavery Jr. Productions Inc.

Trivia:

Filmed in 1977 as a series pilot, it was held on the shelf for two years because of the sudden death of the star, Thayer David, and emerged as a late, post-midnight premier. The studio, Paramount, persevered, and a series, "Nero Wolfe" (1981) did eventually air, completely recast but using the same sets for Wolfe's mansion's interiors.

Quotes:

Mrs. Rachael Bruner: I'd heard that Nero Wolfe wasn't afraid of anything.
Nero Wolfe: One can retreat from folly without backing into fear.

One of the better adaptations

Good casting (although Thayer is 'way too thin), good chemistry and decent production values yield an enjoyable ninety minutes. The plot, in a nutshell: a wealthy woman, harassed by the FBI, hires Wolfe to get them off her back. His chance to earn his $100,000 fee improves when he learns that three agents may have been involved in the murder of a reporter who was working on a story about the Bureau.

As is often the case with Wolfe stories, the real interest lies in the characters -- Wolfe's methods and Archie's charm -- and the mystery itself, while it hold up, is almost incidental. The book from which it was adapted, "The Doorbell Rang" (1965), is generally considered the best of the Wolfe books.

This made-for-TV film was reportedly a pilot; a series never resulted but four years later NBC presented William Conrad as the first (and, one hopes, the only) bearded Nero Wolfe. Conrad had a remarkable career in radio and TV, but he was miscast and the show lasted fourteen episodes. A&E reran those some years ago, but when was the last time anyone showed this film? If it was ever released commercially, I couldn't find a trace of it.