Nero Wolfe: The Complete Classic Whodunit Series

Rex Stout wrote 33 novels and 39 novellas featuring his rotund private detective, yet the big screen depictions have been minimal. Several television projects struggled to find a network despite serious actors such as Orson Welles lining up to play the title character. I suspect that if Stout had been british and wrote the quirky Nero as living in London’s west end he would have been as beloved as Christie’s Poirot has proven to be over the years. But, the truth is that we americans seem to like our televised private detectives to be either con artist charmers (Jim Rockford / Thomas Magnum) or hard nosed tough guys who brawl and shoot there way through a case (Travis McGee / Lew Archer / Mike Hammer, etc.). Dealing with an orchid loving gourmand who is a borderline agoraphobic, questionably misogynistic, and generally quarrelsome with everyone he encounters is a tough way to draw in a weekly audience.... tough that is until 2001 when A&E put their Nero Wolfe on Sunday nights.The series stars the late Maury Chaykin as Nero and Tim Hutton as Archie Goodwin. The balance of the cast is built around a small, but talented ensemble that play both recurring and one off characters as the stories dictate. Nero and Archie get on each other's nerves on more than a few occasions and their relationship verges from employee / employer to a sort of domestic cold war that bubbles just under the surface. The rest of the household consists of Fritz Brenner, the chef / housekeeper and Theo Horstmann, the unseen (in this series) gardener, who tends Wolfe's rooftop orchid house. A few guest stars show up, but their roles tend to be interesting minor characters rather than overplayed ego trips designed to drive ratings. A typical example would be that of the late Carrie Fisher playing a frumpy button maker who thwarts Archie’s best efforts to track her whereabouts.All told this 8 disc set includes nine 90 minute feature films including the pilot, “The Golden Spiders”, along with twelve 45 minute episodes from the novellas. Three of the feature length films are shown in two parts of 45 minutes each while the balance are an un-interrupted 90 minutes each. Additionally, there’s a reprise of “The Silent Speaker” shown in 16 x 9 format and a 20 minute short on the making of the series. The pilot is on the last disc which is unusual, but I suspect it was done for a purpose as there was some shuffling of characters and actors from those in the pilot to the roles they ultimately played in the series. The pilot was filmed at least a year before the series was picked up and many details had not yet been brought up to the high standard set in the series. In addition a couple of the actors play multiple characters within a given film while others play multiple characters within the series which sounds chaotic but is not uncommon for small performing companies in the theatre world, which is what this cast most resembles.Despite it’s NYC backdrop these were filmed in LA and Toronto and done at a time when A&E was still producing quality material. Unlike the William Conrad series from 1981 this collection is true to the source literature and is set in the 40's, 50's, and 60's with convincing time period authenticity, elaborate sets, and great attention to detail. A number of the episodes were directed by Tim Hutton who clearly has a flair for this sort of period perfect reading. It’s noteworthy that his father, the late Jim Hutton, starred in a rather good “Ellery Queen” series in the 1970’s that was innovative in it's own right. As much as I admire Hutton's directorial contribution I reserve my singular negative comment to his often over the top wise-cracking dialogue which mars an otherwise stellar performance. I have both the Conrad set and this production, and though they share a few episode titles there really is no comparison between the two. Some of the disparity stems from the 20 years between when each was made, but the biggest difference boils down to good writing, a budget sufficient to produce a convincing backdrop, and a top notch ensemble cast. While I consider this to be amongst the top tier of network television series of the last 20 years I should point out that it's a highly produced theatrical production done more in the style of a BBC series than the usual american network fare, so if you don't like witty dialogue and character driven plots this might not be your cup of tea. But to my mind the only real flaw is that A&E ran out of money long before the series ran out of original stories to film.

Did you enjoy David Suchet's Poirot, Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes and Joan Hickson's and Geraldine McEwan's Mrs Marple? Then you'll love America's answer in Nero Wolfe.This is a classy, sassy piece of television entertainment. The roles of Wolfe and Goodwin were made for Chaykin and Hutton (who I seriously under-estimated as an actor before this role). This is period murder mystery par excellence and it deserved a much longer tenure, but sometimes not allowing a series to develop too long and degenerate is a good thing.This series is an indulgence that demands multiple repeat viewings. The reason is firstly excellent story lines. But more importantly, and amazingly thrusting the plot into second place, is the clever and witty script and the brilliant repartee between the characters. You'll want to watch it over and over just to enjoy the subtle elements. The sets give an exquisite feel that reminds me of the beginning of Bogard's The Big Sleep. The rotation of the guest roles amongst a small stable of excellent actors adds to the opulence. And the side show with the ever suffering cook, Fritz, is an ongoing delight.This is the sort of series to be enjoyed on a lazy Sunday afternoon, cold and wet, you ensconsed in reclining armchair, fleecy robe and slippers, hot chocolate at hand with a rich licquer at the ready. This is not for you rev heads looking for the fast track Ferrari experience. This is an indulgent country drive in a Daimler or Jaguar meant to be savoured like a five course meal rather than a fast food experience.If you've ever enjoyed attending a successful stage production, if you've ever enjoyed reading a well written book, this is television's equivalent. This is intelligent television and easily a five star viewing.Nero Wolfe - The Complete Classic Whodunit Series

I have watched some of these A&E Nero Wolfe series on youtube and they are absolutely over the top quality in my opinion. The actors and actresses are 2nd to none, some we know and some I never heard of but ALL are top tier. I love how they do such an amazing job of reprising these actors in episode after episode and still keep them fresh rather than predictable. I love how these are serious events yet the chemistry between Archy and Nero is touch and go with a splash of well placed humor. We need more directors to create more shows like this and Columbo as these are my favorite 2 series ever.The seller did an amazing job of getting it to me quickly and the product seems to be very high quality in appearance, picture and sound! Thank You! Mike P