Burl Barer
The Saint: A Complete History in Print, Radio,
Television, and Film
Type of work: Nonfiction
Published by: McFarland and Co
ISBN: 0786416807
Brief description: Using the voluminous correspondence and writings of author Leslie Charteris
and examining the many incarnations of Simon Templar, alias "The Saint," in
other media, a detailed history emerges.
Character notes: The now legendary character created by Leslie Charteris has survived nearly three-quarters of a century of perilous action and narrow escapes with nary a hair out of place nor the slightest jolt to his jauntily tipped halo. From his earliest days battling "crooks, blood suckers, traders in vice and damnation" (and cracking the occasional safe on the side), the Saint has captured the imaginations of millions.
Awards: Edgar Award for Best Biographical/Critical Work 1994
Murder in the
Family
Type of work: Nonfiction
Published by: Pinnacle True Crime
ISBN: 0786011351
Setting: Anchorage, Alaska
Brief description: True story of young psychopath Kirby Anthoney who raped and murdered his own aunt and her two little girls. One of the most horrific crimes in Alaskan history.
Notes: Originally published in 2000, MURDER IN THE FAMILY was re-released in 2007 as a TRUE CRIME CLASSIC
The Saint
Type of work:
Novel (adapted from screenplay)
Published by: Pocket Books
ISBN: 0671009516
Setting: Russia, England, Hong Kong
Brief description: Hired by a Russian nationalist to swipe a top-secret formula from an American electrochemist, Simon Templar figures it's rubles in the bag. But the beautiful Dr. Emma Russell proves to be much more than his usual mark, and stealing her life's work brings on a sudden, unprecedented attack of Saintly ethics.
Character notes: Simon Templar, aka the Saint, was created by Leslie Charteris. The screenplay deviated so far from the original that his estate had his name removed from the film. This novel, however, sneaks in numerous in-joke references to the original Charteris Saint books, history, and characters. Saint fans will enjoy this book probably more than they did the film.
"The Treasure of Sir
Thomas Conway"
Type of work:
Novelette
Published by: Amazon shorts
Setting: New York, London
Brief description: Gem thief and adventurer Falcon Arcaio is hired to steal the treasure of Sir Thomas Conway in England to keep the gems from being added to the collection of an uncouth rock star.
Character notes: This is a homage to, and satire of, the gentleman crook characters such as The Saint, Raffles, and The Falcon.
Notes: The protagonists name, Falcon Arcaio is the first indication of satire: The Falcon was a series of films starring George Sanders, and later his brother, Tom Conway, produced by RKO. Leslie Charteris, creator of THE SAINT, sued RKO for $10,000 per film ($100,000) in the 1940's as they were simply "SAINT" movies with a different name, but same actor and usually same screenwriters.
URL: http://socalmwa.com/works/NAME.htm
Last updated:
March 27, 2007
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