GOODNIGHT MY LOVE

US, 1972, 73 minutes, Colour.
Richard Boone, Michael Dunn, Barbara Bain, Victor Buono.
Directed by Peter Hyams.

Goodnight My Love is an above average telemovie. The title obviously has the tone of Raymond Chandler and Philip Marlowe. However this is an affectionate parody of the famous private-eye films - done with tongue in cheek by writer-director Peter Hyams, who did a similar thing with Peepers, starring Michael Caine and Natalie Wood, 1976. Goodnight My Love has the typical situation of a Chandler story - Richard Boone, however, is the crusty old private eye, assisted by dwarf Michael Dunn. And of course there is the mysterious lady with the case to be solved. A must for those who enjoy private eye films and - gentle parody of the same.

1. How enjoyable a thriller, quality as a television movie? Colour, music, re-creation of time and place?

2. The significance and tone of the title, the indication of the private eye genre of both novels and films? How did this example compare with the trend?

3. The elements of parody in plot, the lightness of treatment, the presentation of the mysterious woman, the presentation of Hogan and his approach to his private eye work, his assistant and the fact that he was a dwarf? The situations and the villain?

4. The importance of deadpan humour for communicating this private eye film, for parodying it? The humour in the characters and situations, the quality of the dialogue, especially that of Hogan?

5. The importance of long credits, the emphasis on money, the build up of the bus ride and the startling effect of the murder?

6. How well delineated was the character of Hogan, that of his assistant? The emphasis on the office, style, emphasis on eating, jokiness? The quality of their work7 success, exposing themselves to danger? How well did they capture the essence of the private eye?

7. Susan Blakely as the mysterious woman? Her impact, the melodrama of the meetings and interviews, her stories, the interviews, the dramatic nature of her death? The revelation of the truth? The presentation of this type of mysterious woman in the genre?

8. The presentation of the villain as conventional, his money, torture, double dealing, dangers?

9. How enjoyable and interesting were the complexities of the plot? How well written and developed? How well did they involve the audience?

10. The themes of corruption, money and greed, lies and violence?

11. How is this a distinctive American genre? Its importance, the nature of its impact? The communication of this by a telemovie?