A few of Jonathan Latimer's books made it to the screen, none memorably. The novel this is based on, THE DEAD DON'T CARE, certainly deserved better treatment than it gets with this film. A complex, frequently hilarious, and suspenseful novel was turned into a tepid, clumsy, run-of-the-mill detective film with Foster as Bill Crane, Latimer's alcoholic detective (as the blurb on the cover of the paperback for LADY IN THE MORGUE says "Bill Crane--unique and alcoholic!") in a string of mystery novels. Latimer was a Phi Beta Kappa who later wrote the tense, terrific screenplay for THE CLOCK, starring Ray Milland.
Latimer later wrote or adapted scores of teleplays for PERRY MASON; his work for the show are among the best mysteries written for television.
Read the book this film is based on, if you can find a copy--it's great!
Latimer later wrote or adapted scores of teleplays for PERRY MASON; his work for the show are among the best mysteries written for television.
Read the book this film is based on, if you can find a copy--it's great!