Dennis Broe Book order

Set in the early 1950s, detectives Harry Palmer and Crystal Eckart navigate both the gritty backstreets and the polished main streets of Los Angeles, uncovering crime and dispossession in marginalized communities, particularly among Mexican, Black, and Chinese populations. Their investigation reveals troubling connections between land interests and major media outlets, forcing them to confront the challenges of living and loving amidst pervasive corruption and deceit.

The book explores the innovative approach of the television series Maverick, which aired from 1957 to 1962, presenting a non-traditional hero in Bret Maverick, a gambler focused on pleasure rather than power. It examines how the show infused humor, satire, and irony into the Western genre, contrasting with the typical moralistic narratives of its time. Author Dennis Broe analyzes the show's subversion of conventions seen in other Westerns like Gunsmoke and Bonanza, highlighting the significant contributions of producer Roy Huggins and lead actor James Garner.

Class, Crime and International Film Noir explores how, during its postwar classical phase, film noir transcended American borders, gaining popularity globally in countries like France, Britain, Italy, and Japan, featuring dark narratives and tragic protagonists.