Movie Detectives and Defectives Quiz

Answer: The Seven Percent Solution

In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's second novel "The Sign of Four", Sherlock Holmes is seen, by Dr. Watson, injecting a solution in his arm. When Watson asks Holmes what he is doing Holmes replies, "It's cocaine, a seven percent solution". Holmes became the 19th century's most famous fictional cocaine addict.

This 1976 film is based on Nicholas Meyer's 1974 novel of the same title. Sherlock Holmes travels to Austria with his brother and Dr. Watson to see if Sigmund Freud can help Holmes with his cocaine problem. During his treatment, Holmes investigates an international kidnapping. While Freud is peering into Holmes' subconscious, Holmes is trying to solve a kidnapping. The film was well received and nominated for two Academy Awards.

Answer: The Thin Man

"The Thin Man" (1934) stars William Powell and Myrna Loy, and was based on a novel by Dashiell Hammett. "The Thin Man" was the first in a series of five movies, all staring Powell and Loy. "The Thin Man" is never identified.

In the film, retired detective Nick Charles and his wife Nora reluctantly become involved in a murder investigation. An eccentric inventor has disappeared and is suspected of murdering his mistress. His daughter asks Nick Charles to investigate.

The movie is full of comedic bantering between Nick and Nora. Oh, Nick solves the case.

Answer: The Maltese Falcon

"The Maltese Falcon" (1941) stars Humphrey Bogart, Mary Aster and Peter Lorre. It is based on a 1930 novel by Dashiell Hammett.

The plot revolves around the search for a priceless statuette of a black bird, the Maltese Falcon. Private investigator Sam Spade is hired to find missing statue.
Sam Spade is a partner in a private-eye firm. A woman hires them to protect her from her ex-lover. Spade's partner follows the man and later the partner turns up dead, along with the ex-lover. Police think the ex-lover killed Spade's partner, then Spade killed the ex-lover. The woman is not who she claims to be and is really involved with the "Maltese Falcon", a gold layered one-of-a-kind life-like statue of a falcon.

Answer: Phillip Marlowe

"The Big Sleep" (1946) stars Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Becall and is based on a 1939 novel of the same name by Raymond Chandler. The film was re-made in 1978 with Robert Mitchum in his second portrayal of detective Philip Marlowe. Warner Brothers later produced two more "Bogie and Becall" movies. "The Big Sleep" is the first of a series of 9 Philip Marlowe novels, several of which were made into major motion pictures.

In the film, private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a woman's father to find out who is blackmailing her over her gambling debts. "The Big Sleep" is a very complex movie. There are five or six murders, and a suicide or two. The film is more about the process of investigating than it is about the results. Its complexity is such that Lauren Becall asked Raymond Chandler who killed whom and even he didn't know for sure.

Answer: Murder on the Orient Express

"Murder on the Orient Express" (1974) is based on a book of the same name by Agatha Christie published in 1934. Albert Finney is cast as Hercule Poirot.
Christie wrote 66 novels, 33 with Poirot as the protagonist.

Hercule Poirot can't seem to get away from murder. While on a trip aboard the luxury train, The Orient Express, the train becomes stranded when the tracks are covered with snow. And, you guessed it, a murder occurs which requires Poirot's unique talents to solve.

Answer: Miss Jane Marple

"Murder, She Said" (1961) stars Margaret Rutherford as Miss Jane Marple. It is based on the novel "4.50 from Paddington" by Agatha Christie. In 1976 Christie's last published novel also featured Miss Jane Marple. Agatha Christie is the best-selling author of all time (as of 2023).

Miss Jane Marple reports to the police that she thinks she witnessed a murder on a passing train. When the police investigate and find nothing, they write Miss Jane off as a daft old lady. Undaunted, Miss Jane conducts her own investigation.

Answer: Mike Hammer

"Kiss Me Deadly" (1955) is a film starring Ralph Meeker as Mike Hammer. Cloris Leachman made her film debut in this movie. The film is based on a story by Mickey Spillane.

In the film, Mike Hammer picks up a frightened, half-clad woman. Those chasing her catch up and accidently kill her. The killers fake an accident, but Hammer survives the accident and decides to investigate.

Answer: Kiss The Girls

"Kiss the Girls" (1997) stars Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd. It is based on James Patterson's best-selling 1995 novel of the same name. Alex Cross is the recurring protagonist in Patterson's novels.

Alex Cross is a cop who finds out his niece is missing. The local police think she's been kidnapped by a serial killer who calls himself "Casanova". One of his victims escapes captivity and helps Cross find his niece.

Answer: A Shot in the Dark

"A Shot in the Dark" (1964) stars Peter Sellers and Elke Sommer. Sellers reprises his role as Inspector Clouseau. "The Pink Panther" (1964) was Sellers' first appearance as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau. Despite being frequently attacked by his servant Kato, Clouseau always manages to catch the bad guy.

In the film, Inspector Jacques Clouseau of the French police is called to investigate a murder at a millionaire's country estate. The suspects include the owners, various maids, butlers and chauffeurs. Clouseau is called off the case almost immediately for fear he will bungle the high-profile case.

Answer: Frank Drebin

"The Naked Gun" (1988) stars Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, O.J. Simpson, and George Kennedy. The film contains many of the zany gags from the television series "Police Squad"! (1982). An incompetent Lieutenant Frank Drebin, always "gets his man".

In the film, Queen Elizabeth II is coming to Los Angles and a criminal mastermind has plans to assassinate her, using a brainwashed baseball player.