Spenser (film series)
| Spenser | |
|---|---|
 Joe Mantegna as Spenser and Marcia Gay Harden as Susan | |
| Created by | Robert B. Parker |
| Films and television | |
| Film(s) |
|
Joe Mantegna portrayed Robert B. Parker's detective "Spenser" in three TV films on the A&E cable network between 1999 and 2001.
Production
[edit]Robert B. Parker had a significant role in the development of the TV movies (all three films were adapted by Parker, with his wife co-authoring Walking Shadow) as opposed to the earlier Spenser: For Hire. Nonetheless, he felt that the movies didn't get it right, not because of the performances but because of the limited budget. Parker had a small role in the first film, and cameos in the later two. His son, Daniel, and wife, Joan, appear in Thin Air. Spenser's ally, Hawk, was played by Sheik Mahmud-Bey in "Small Vices", and returns in "Walking Shadow" portrayed by Ernie Hudson.
All three movies were filmed in locations in Canada.
Films
[edit]Spenser: Small Vices
[edit]In this movie Spenser tries to solve the murder of a college student. It was broadcast in 1999, and is based on the 1997 novel of the same name.
- Joe Mantegna as Spenser
- Marcia Gay Harden as Susan Silverman
- Joanna Miles as Evans
- R.D. Reid as Quirk
- Scott Wickware as Captain Healy
- Sheik Mahmud-Bey as Hawk
- Robert B. Parker as Ives
Thin Air
[edit]In this movie, Spenser searches for the wife of his longtime associate, Sgt. Belson. It was broadcast in 2000, and is based on the 1995 novel of the same name.
- Joe Mantegna as Spenser
- Marcia Gay Harden as Susan Silverman
- Joanna Miles as Evans
- R.D. Reid as Quirk
- Jon Seda as Luis DeLeon
- David Ferry as Frank Belson
Walking Shadow
[edit]In this movie, Spenser tries to solve the on-stage murder of an actor. It was broadcast in 2001, and is based on the 1994 novel of the same name. It is directed by Po-Chih Leong. [1]
- Joe Mantegna as Spenser
- Marcia Gay Harden as Susan Silverman
- Scott Wickware as Captain Healy
- Ernie Hudson as Hawk
- Eric Roberts as Police Chief DeSpain
- Christopher Lawford as Jimmy Christopholous
- Tamlyn Tomita as Rikki Wu
Audiobooks
[edit]Joe Mantegna has also narrated a number of Spenser novels;[2]
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Lullaby |
| 2011 | Sixkill |
| 2010 | Painted Ladies |
| 2009 | The Professional |
| 2008 | Rough Weather |
| 2007 | Now and Then |
| 2006 | Hundred Dollar Baby |
| 2005 | School Days |
| Cold Service | |
| 2004 | Bad Business |
| Widow's Walk | |
| 2003 | Back Story |
| 2001 | Potshot |
| 2000 | Hugger Mugger |
References
[edit]- ^ "Walking Shadow". tcm.com. 2001. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
- ^ List of Spenser Novels read by Joe Mantegna