Investigating couples : a critical analysis of The Thin Man, The Avengers, and The X-Files / by Tom Soter.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Soter, Tom, 1956-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Detective teams on television.

Detective and mystery television programs--History and criticism.

Detective and mystery television programs.

Detective teams in motion pictures.

Detective and mystery films--United States--History and criticism.

Detective and mystery films.

United States.

Physical Description:

viii, 239 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland, [2002]

Summary:

Male-female detective pairings often exhibit offbeat, dark humor and considerable chemistry as they investigate crimes. They have proven to be both entertaining and alluring on screen and television. This work reveals an evolutionary progression in the depictions of three such detective duos: the married pair Nick and Nora Charles of The Thin Man, black-humored special agents John Steed and Emma Peel of The Avengers, and finally the smoldering Mulder and Scully in The X-Files. Ten chapters offer critical analysis, rich with background information and insider observations. Production comments are given throughout. Three appendices (one for each series) offer episode guides with original broadcast dates, credits and brief synopses.

Contents:

1 The Detective 3

2 The Tough Guy 15

3 The Romantic 21

4 Ballad of a Thin Man 30

5 A Humorous Hitch 54

6 When a Man Became a Woman 63

7 M-Appeal 80

8 Trust No One 98

9 The Truth Is Out There 111

10 A Man and a Woman 125

Appendix 1 The Thin Man: A Guide 149

Appendix 2 The Avengers: A Guide 157

Appendix 3 The X-Files: A Guide 190.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 231-235) and index.

ISBN:

0786411236

OCLC:

48055651