Joe Mantegna portrayed Robert B. Parker's detective "Spenser" in three TV films on the A&E cable network between 1999 and 2001.
Production Robert B. Parker had a significant role in the development of the TV movies (all three films were adapted by Parker, with his wife co-authoring Walking Shadow) as opposed to the earlier Spenser: For Hire. Nonetheless, he felt that the movies didn't get it right, not because of the performances but because of the limited budget. Parker had a small role in the first film, and cameos in the latter two. His son, Daniel, and wife, Joan, appear in Thin Air. Spenser's ally, Hawk, was played by Sheik Mahmud-Bey in "Small Vices", and returns in "Walking Shadow" portrayed by Ernie Hudson.
All three movies were filmed in locations in Canada.
Films
Spenser: Small Vices In this movie Spenser tries to solve the murder of a college student. It was broadcast in 1999 and is based on the 1997 novel of the same name. Joe Mantegna as Spenser Marcia Gay Harden as Susan Silverman Joanna Miles as Evans R. D. Reid as Quirk Scott Wickware as Captain Healy Sheik Mahmud-Bey as Hawk Robert B. Parker as Ives
Thin Air In this movie, Spenser searches for the wife of his longtime associate, Sgt. Belson. It was broadcast in 2000 and is based on the 1995 novel of the same name. Joe Mantegna as Spenser Marcia Gay Harden as Susan Silverman Joanna Miles as Evans R. D. Reid as Quirk Jon Seda as Luis DeLeon David Ferry as Frank Belson
Walking Shadow In this movie, Spenser tries to solve the on-stage murder of an actor. It was broadcast in 2001 and is based on the 1994 novel of the same name. It is directed by Po-Chih Leong. Joe Mantegna as Spenser Marcia Gay Harden as Susan Silverman Scott Wickware as Captain Healy Ernie Hudson as Hawk Eric Roberts as Police Chief DeSpain Christopher Lawford as Jimmy Christopholous Tamlyn Tomita as Rikki Wu
Audiobooks Joe Mantegna has also narrated a number of Spenser novels;List of Spenser Novels read by Joe Mantegna
Year Title2012 Lullaby2011 Sixkill2010 Painted Ladies2009 The Professional2008 Rough Weather2007 Now and Then2006 Hundred Dollar Baby2005 School Days Cold Service2004 Bad Business Widow's Walk2003 Back Story2001 Potshot2000 Hugger Mugger
References
External links
Small Vices at the Internet Archive