Nero Wolfe - Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer - Elmo and Patsy

YouTube ^

[mairdie]

The Nero Wolfe series to Elmo and Patsy's "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer."

And for something a little stranger, "Weird Al" Yankovic's "Amish Paradise" for the movie "Witness."

[mairdie]

The Nero Wolfe series is unusual in that every episode has the same actors playing completely different roles.

[mairdie]

PING

[Dr. Sivana]

Well, I guess it just goes to show that Archie has a “type”.

[mairdie]

I love those books!

[wally_bert]

We loved the A&E series.

I wished they’d release the music.

[wally_bert]

Try the Sidney Greenstreet version that was on old time radio.

He was quite good.

[Dr. Sivana]

I love those books!

I have read nearly all of them. In some of them he just mails it in ("Please Pass the Guilt", "If Death Ever Slept"). Others use a cheap device rather than real detecting ("The Red Box", "In the Best Families"). Some are worth the price of admission just because of the characters or twists ("Too Many Cooks", "The Doorbell Rang", "And Be a Villain"). If some it all comes together. I think the best Nero Wolfe story was "Some Buried Caesar". If you haven't read "The Black Mountain", you should. It gives great insight into Wolfe's character and background.

"A Family Affair" is a downer, and a bad note on which to end the series.

[mairdie]

Thank you. I will definitely do that.

[wally_bert]

Sidney has the ego and arrogance down pat.

[Dr. Sivana]

He was quite good.

Greenstreet was a satisfoactory Nero Wolfe, but the scripts were awful. Archie is made out to be a nitwit, and Wolfe's primary characteristic is penury, which is not true in the literary characterization.

Timothy Hutton got Archie right on in the A & E series, but Maury Chakin was not quite right as Nero.

William Conrad was have been closer, but his short-lived series also had poor scripting, a bad Archie, placement in the '70s (a bad time to be a great NYC detective) and Conrad wouldn't shave off his beard.

[BradyLS]

The old Sheldon Reynolds syndicated Sherlock Holmes series (with Ron Howard, from 1954, I think) was similar. You had three steady actors playing Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade. Then there was a steady supporting cast that played various supporting roles in different stories.

[wally_bert]

A&E’s version was mandatory viewing when it was on.

I never read the books.

Cannon as Wolfe I never watched.

[wally_bert]

A&E’s version was mandatory viewing when it was on.

I never read the books.

Cannon as Wolfe I never watched.

[Mr. N. Wolfe]

The A&E television series inspired me to read all of the Nero Wolfe mystery novels.

[mairdie]

How kind of you to join us, Mr Wolfe. I take it you’re a true aficionado.

I got into the books when I was in my early 20’s and on a mystery binge. Found the A&E disappointing when it strayed so far from the books. LOVED the kitchen and the orchids.

[Wneighbor]

Thank you Mairdie for a nice distrction on a busy day :)

[tallyhoe]

Here is a funny parody Frontier Christmas!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUXtm9Csixg&t=44s

[mairdie]

Hugs and a very warm, you’re welcome.

[TEXOKIE]

LOL!

Your timing on that is perfect throughout! Loved the Santa at the end.... and then the delayed laugh by the guy at the very end.

I never watched the series, so am sure that works to my detriment in understanding the references, but kudos, my Friend!

[jocon307]

One of the things that has made me sad through the years is the Victor Buono did not live long enough to play Wolfe. Do you remember him? He’s best known probably for playing the villain King Tut on the TV Show Batman and was nominated for an Oscar for his part in “whatever happened to baby jane”. He was only 43 when he died. (thanks wiki!)