Bob Sanders: Chandler novels worth reading

Anybody who cares knows of my affection for the novels and short stories of Raymond Chandler.
He wrote six great novels (“The Big Sleep,” “The High Window,” “The Little Sister,” “The Long Goodbye,” “Farewell My Lovely,” and “The Lady in the Lake.”

He also wrote a bunch of short stores that have been published in various combinations.

Each of his novels has been made into a movie, some two or three. Watch out for the names. “The Little Sister,” for example, was made into the movie “Marlowe.” Then the book was re-released under that name. And “Farewell My Lovely” was called “Murder My Sweet” in one film version, because the producers thought the original title sounded like a song and dance movie.

Some of the movies have been OK, one or two have been terrible. I stumbled on one of those the other night. I hereby state that the movie “Lady in the Lake” is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. It ranks right up there with “Remember Pearl Harbor” in badness.

Robert Montgomery was a very average actor to begin with, and totally miscast as Chandler’s private eye, Philip Marlowe; and his trying to talk like a tough guy made it even worse. And the plot?

They should have read the book. I can see how a book has to be condensed sometime.

“Gone With the Wind” would have been a month long if they hadn’t cut out one or two of Scarlett’s husbands.

But to completely change the whole theme? Nah ... Don’t do that. Remember, if, while surfing, you run across “Lady in the Lake,” turn immediately to any other channel.

It would have been much better if they had followed the book, and had the right Marlowe. Robert Mitchum played him in a couple of remakes, “Farewell My Lovely” and “The Big Sleep.” But he was too old.

He would have been the perfect Marlowe in his younger years, like about the time he made a truly great movie, “Out of the Past,” which was kind of a Chandleresque story.

If you haven’t met Raymond Chandler before, you have now.

Run to your nearest library or bookstore or used bookstore or yard sale and get a copy of any of the aforementioned books. There is one with Chandler’s name on it you’ll want to avoid.

He wrote part of it before he died and somebody else finished it. I don’t include it in the Chandler Testament. Just start on one of his good ones and you’ll be hooked. Then it’s fun to get out your movie book and see what movies were made from his books.

Remember, stay away from the movie version of “Lady in the Lake.”

Bob Sanders is a longtime radio personality with WAUD in Auburn and writes a weekly column for the Opelika-Auburn News.