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← The Singing Detective

Miniseries

6 episodes · 16th November 1986

Tormented and bedridden by a debilitating disease, a mystery writer relives his detective stories through his imagination and hallucinations.

Season details

Details

Episode guide

Episodes

01 Skin still Skin Episode 116th November 1986 Pulp thriller writer Philip Marlow is in hospital with the skin complaint psoriasis, tormented by his past and threatened by his future. His memories, his 1930s-style gumshoe fiction and his disease weave him an altered reality. 02 Heat still Heat Episode 223rd November 1986 Dennis Potter's drama about a patient struggling to keep his sanity, with the help of his alter ego, the singing private eye. Marlow faces a talking cure with a psychologist. 03 Lovely Days still Lovely Days Episode 330th November 1986 While in hospital with psoriasis, Marlow thinks back to the war when he was a little boy, and remembers seeing his mother having illicit sex in the Forest of Dean. His memories, his 30s style gumshoe fiction and his disease weave him an altered reality. 04 Clues still Clues Episode 47th December 1986 Marlow as a child visits London, but is not impressed. A film option on Marlow's novel thickens the plot. His memories, his 30s style gumshoe fiction and his disease weave him an altered reality. 05 Pitter Patter still Pitter Patter Episode 514th December 1986 Marlow is getting better and the different strands of his fiction and reality begin to occupy the same time and place. 06 Who Done It still Who Done It Episode 621st December 1986 The young Philip Marlow returns to the country railway station following his mother's death in London. Forty years on, Marlow the hospital patient still dreams about the homecoming and the frightening figure of the scarecrow that now erupts into the ward.
Talent

Cast & Crew

01 Michael Gambon profile Michael Gambonas Philip Marlow 02 Joanne Whalley profile Joanne Whalleyas Nurse Mills 03 David Ryall profile David Ryallas Mr Hall 04 Sharon D. Clarke profile Sharon D. Clarkeas Night Nurse 05 Gerard Horan profile Gerard Horanas Reginald 06 Ron Cook profile Ron Cookas First Mysterious Man 07 Dennis Potter profile Dennis PotterCreator
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