Nero Wolfe ~ The Timeless Detective is Brilliantly Portrayed For A&E Television
Ranked #4,470 in Books, Poetry & Writing, #164,643 overall
Nero Wolfe (Along With Archie Goodwin) is Still Solving Murders
The A&E Television series that aired for two seasons beginning in 2001 perfectly portrays the world of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin as they solve murder cases in 1950s New York City.
A&E Television Network's Nero Wolfe Series
The Award-Winning Series Brought Wolfe and Company to Life
Nero Wolfe: The Complete Classic Whodunit Series
Amazon Price: $49.97 (as of 06/02/2012)
This A&E Television Network series admirably captured the world of Nero Wolfe for television. The meticulously staged and acted episodes take the audience into the 1950s with colorful, historically accurate sets and costumes. Original, jazzy music by Michael Small punctuates the series with finger-snapping excitement. The series aired in 2002, deservedly receiving glowing reviews and winning several awards. The second season was shot entirely in High Definition. Timothy Hutton became Archie Goodwin, Maury Chaykin channeled Nero Wolfe, and Kari Matchett shined magically in various roles, including the elegant, sophisticated Lily Rowen. Colin Fox played Fritz Brenner, the household chef, and Bill Smitrovich brought inspector Cramer believably to life. A cast of top-notch actors rounded out various roles in each episode. The award-winning series proved expensive to produce, limiting its longevity to the dismay of Nero Wolfe fans everywhere.
Nero Wolfe's Home
A Genius at Home
Nero Nero Wolfe solved murders for one reason; to support a personal lifestyle that included breeding orchids, eating exceptionally well, and reading the most captivating and informative of books while sitting in the custom-made yellow chair that accommodated his bulk of a seventh of a ton. His extravagant fees were justified by his successes in solving murders that left New York City's top Homicide Department (a nod here to inspector Cramer) baffled. His cupidity was only matched by his palate; Fritz prepared and served gourmet meals three times each day to the famous gourmand.Enter the old brownstone yourself through the A&E Television series!
Photo Graciously Provided: By WFinch (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
"The ideal human agreement is one in which
distinctions of race and color and religion are totally disregarded ... "
Nero Wolfe,
Too Many Cooks, 1938
Nero Wolf's Office
Workshop of a Genius
When you watch the A&E Television series, you'll enter the office of Nero Wolfe (Maury Chaykin) and be guided across the enormous Kashan rug to one of the yellow chairs before his massive desk. If you are Inspector Cramer of Homicide, ( Bill Smitrovich) a potentially paying client or a murder suspect, expect to be seated in the red leather chair. Refreshments may be served, or not, depending on the occasion; Wolfe never stints on wines and liquor, and never adds to the client's bill the expenses of refreshments served in his home; after all, he believes, "The guest is a jewel resting on the cushion of hospitality." There may be an eavesdropper placed in the hallway alcove by Archie and Wolfe, watching through the hole in the wall that appears as a painting of a waterfall from the office. The crowd collected in the office squirm under the cumulative conclusions reached by Nero Wolfe throughout his investigation. The murderer is ultimately revealed, to the relief and gratitude of the client and the disgust of Mr. Wolfe, who only wishes to get back to his life pursuits. He despises the dregs - highly placed though they may be in society's echelons - of humanity, but is never loath to profit from their crimes. Too Many Cooks and Champagne For One
A Fun Nero Wolfe Duo
Too Many Cooks/Champagne for One (Nero Wolfe Mysteries)
Amazon Price: $6.98 (as of 06/02/2012)
This duo is a must-read Nero Wolfe mystery set.
Archie Goodwin
Archie Goodwin Keeps it Together
Archie Goodwin (Timothy Hutton) is the eyes and legs of Wolfe; this super-attractive man-about-town is either dancing the night away at the Flamingo Club with his main squeeze, the heiress Lily Rowen (Kari Matchett,) attending a Mets game at the Stadium, or gathering evidence from among the swells of New York society for solving Wolfe's latest case. The extroverted, athletic Archie rounds out his time with typing reports of lengthy conversations, (which he has committed to memory) keeping the business books and recording detailed orchid breeding records. Timothy Hutton's realistic portrayal of Archie Goodwin draws the audience into a personal relationship with the hip private detective. The Amazing Rex Stout
Rex Stout published his first Nero Wolfe Mystery, Fer-de-Lance, in 1934 at the age of 48. Stout's career to that point was full and rich; the boy math prodigy, who had read 1,000 books by the age of 10, had grown up to become a warrant officer on President Teddy Roosevelt's yacht and a banking-systems designer, among various other jobs. His final book, A Family Affair, was published in 1975, the month before he died at the age of 88.Audiences of Nero Wolfe fans agree that the A&E Television series would find approval from Rex Stout.
More Nero Wolfe on Amazon
Rounding Out the Cast
Including Fritz Brenner, Inspector Cramer and Lily Rowen
Everyone involved in the A&E Television Nero Wolfe series seems to have a personal adoration for and intimate knowledge of the characters they portray. The sets and costumes enhance the performances, transporting the audience into the world of Nero Wolfe.
Fritz Brenner (Colin Fox) chef and housekeeper at the old brownstone, goes way back with his beloved Mr. Wolfe. Their early association remains a mystery, but their common bond is evident in each episode. Police Inspector Cramer (Bill Smitrovich) along with his sidekick Sargent Purly Stebbins (R.D. Reid) give Wolfe and Archie fits in nearly every case, alternately blocking and relying on Wolfe's insights. The sophisticated Lily Rowen (Kari Matchett) heiress of millions, weaves in and out of life at the old brownstone at various levels of involvement, assuring that Archie has a dancing partner at the Flamingo Club as required.
Freelance operatives include the talented super-tailer Saul Panzer (Saul Rubinek or Conrad Dunn) the vainglorious Orrie Cather (Trent McMullen) and family man Fred Durkin (Fulvio Cecere.) Lon Cohen (Saul Rubinek) holds a vague but important post at the Gazette, trading information and favors with Archie and Wolfe for extra-quality scoops.
Nero Wolfe Books on Amazon
My First Edition Copy of The Father Hunt by Rex Stout
A Favorite Nero Wolfe Mystery
Nero Wolfe on eBay
Nero Wolfe's Timely Food For Thought ...
"To be broke is not a disgrace, it is only a catastrophy."
Nero Wolfe, The League of Frightened Men
1935
Nero Wolfe Mysteries Are Evergreen Delights
Nero Wolfe has found an audience in the 21st century, and decades after the death of Rex Stout, Nero Wolfe Mysteries are best sellers again.
Reminder to Myself!
Add to my Nero Wolfe Mystery collection this week!!
Did you know?
Random Facts About the world of Nero Wolfe
Wolfe has an adopted daughter.
Archie grew up on a farm in Ohio.
Archie has a sister.
There are 10,000 orchid plants on the roof of the old brownstone.
Lily and Archie first met beside a pasture containing a prize bull.
Lena Horne, a devout fan, wrote a charming introduction for the 1996 edition of "Champagne For One."
As a child growing up in Montenegro, Nero Wolfe was strongly attached to a pet dog.
Fritz had damaged toes from old war injuries.
Nero Wolfe opened his daily beer with a solid gold bottle opener.
Photo Graciously Provided: By WFinch (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
"It is wise to reject all suppositions, even painful ones, until surmise can stand on the legs of fact"
Nero Wolfe
Nero Wolfe Cookbook
On My Personal Wish List!
The Nero Wolfe Cookbook
Amazon Price: $26.95 (as of 06/02/2012)
Every foray into a Nero Wolfe mystery book makes my mouth water for Fritz's cooking. I would love to own a collection of his recipes. Fortunately, they are available from Amazon in The Nero Wolf Cookbook. This collector's book would make a perfect gift for any Nero Wolfe and Fritz fan. This top-rated Amazon seller has mass-market paperback editions available, too.
What Kinds of Mystery Stories Do You Prefer?
Nero Wolfe mysteries have humor and fun in addition to the crime story at hand. Some mysteries are truly scary or dramatic. Which kind do you enjoy most?
"To assert dignity is to loose it."
Nero Wolfe
Guestbook Comments
What's Your Favorite Thing About Nero Wolfe?
-
-
agoofyidea
Mar 5, 2012 @ 2:22 pm | delete
- I love older mysteries and Nero Wolfe is one of my favorite series. I would love to see the cookbook since he was as into eating as he was his orchids. Blessed.
-
-
-
Rosaquid
Feb 26, 2012 @ 5:17 pm | delete
- Thank you, BuddyBink. I hope you are as entertained with Nero Wolfe and company as I am.
-
-
-
BuddyBink
Feb 26, 2012 @ 5:10 pm | delete
- Never been much of a mystery reader. But, you have made reading about Nero Wolfe a must read. Thanks
-
-
-
TTMall
Feb 26, 2012 @ 7:40 am | delete
- It looks very helpful. Thank you very much!
-
-
-
artbyrodriguez
Feb 25, 2012 @ 9:51 pm | delete
- I've seen the TV shows, but have not read the books. Now I am inspired! Great lens.
-
- Load More
Acquiring a Nero Wolfe Book Collection
Used Books Read Just Fine!
Newly printed Nero Wolfe Mysteries, popular as ever, are available in brick-and-mortar and online bookstores. I like finding used copies online or in second-hand shops and at library sales. Fill in your collection by adding a used Nero Wolfe book that you may stumble across now and then. Further Fun Nero Wolfe Reading
- The Wolfe Pack
- The Wolfe Pack takes their reading pleasures seriously, keeping Nero and Archie's adventures alive with yearly "Kanawha Spa" weekend meetings, the setting for the classic "Too Many Cooks."
- Greg's Kitchen Shelf
- Make Roast Duck Mr. Richards at home tonight!
"Of course, all murderers were once little children, which seems astonishing."
Too Many Cooks
Do You Have a Favorite?
Which Nero Wolfe Mystery is Your Favorite?
From among the nearly eighty Nero Wolfe mysteries, do you have one that especially tickles your fancy? Share!
-
-
JoshK47
Mar 19, 2012 @ 10:26 am | delete
- What great info here - I've not caught any of these, but I should definitely get crackin'! Thanks for sharing!
-
And Remember, If You Are Tempted to Depreciate Your Fellow ...
"By all means cling to the tattered shreds of humanity that are left to you; there are enough of us in that respect quite unclothed."
Nero Wolfe The League of Frightened Men
1935
by Rosaquid
Sandra Carusetta is a writer and reader living in the remote Four Corners area of the United States.
Nero Wolfe mysteries are Carusetta's go-to books...
more »
Explore related pages
- The Best Chess Software The Best Chess Software
- The criminal masterminds of Leverage The criminal masterminds of Leverage
- M BY FRITZ LANG M BY FRITZ LANG
- Timothy Hutton leads Leverage Timothy Hutton leads Leverage
- Ten Interesting Things About Rex Stout Ten Interesting Things About Rex Stout
- Fritz the Pomeranian Klein Spitz Fritz the Pomeranian Klein Spitz
