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The Singing Detective   1986         TV, 415 min. Genre: Drama / Fantasy Director: Jon Amiel   Cast: Michael Gambon, Patrick Malahide, Joanne Whalley, Janet Suzman, Alison Steadman, Bill Paterson, Jim Carter, David Ryall, Gerard Horan, Leslie French, Lyndon Davies, Ron Cook, Imelda Staunton, George Rossi, Janet Henfrey   This near-classic tale by Dennis Potter combines music, film noir, mystery, fantasy, and autobiographical material in a successful British TV miniseries, originally airing in six episodes. Detective novelist Philip E. Marlow (Michael Gambon) suffers from a crippling skin/nerve disease (psoriatic arthropathy—a disease that Potter died of). In his hospital bed, he relives his latest novel, "The Singing Detective," with himself in the title role, often drifting into a surrealistic fantasy world as he relives his life. Cast Michael Gambon Philip E. Marlow Patrick Malahide Mark Binney/Mark Finney/Ray Joanne Whalley Nurse Mills Janet Suzman Nicola Alison Steadman Mrs. Marlow/Lili Bill Paterson Dr. Gibbon Jim Carter Mr. Marlow David Ryall Mr. Hall Gerard Horan Reginald Leslie French Mr. Tomkey Lyndon Davies Philip at age 10 Ron Cook Mysterious Man Imelda Staunton Nurse White George Rossi Mysterious Man Janet Henfrey Schoolteacher

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