"The Red Wind" - A Philip Marlowe Mystery aired on radio June 17 1947 about a year after the end of WWII. It was written by the American-British novelist and screenwriter, Raymond Chandler (1888-1959) who was widely regarded at the time as one of the most influential crime fiction writers of the 20th century. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Chandler began his career in the oil industry before turning to writing later in life. His experiences working as an executive in the oil business, as well as his troubled personal life, would influence his writing style and the themes explored in his works.
He is best known for creating the iconic character of Philip Marlowe, a private detective who first appeared in Chandler's first novel, "The Big Sleep," published in 1939 . The character embodies the archetype of the hard-boiled detective, a staple of the American crime fiction genre. He is a tough, street-smart, and morally ambiguous character who operates in a corrupt and gritty world. He is neither a strictly lawful nor an entirely criminal figure. While he often bends the rules to achieve his goals, he adheres to a personal code of ethics. Marlowe's sense of honor and justice sets him apart from the corrupt and immoral characters he encounters, adding depth and conflict to the narrative. He is a solitary figure, both physically and emotionally. He navigates a world filled with deceit and betrayal, where trust is rare. His loneliness is a recurring theme in Chandler's works, emphasizing the isolation and alienation that come with his profession thus giving the Marlowe character a sense of melancholy and vulnerability.
