Michael Shayne: Private Detective

Brett Halliday's shamus made it to the big screen in a seven-film series starring Nolan. Shayne is a wisecracking, usually broke PI with ethics, which is why he first refuses the suspicious job offer made by wealthy Hiram Brighton (Kolb). Hiram wants him to keep an eye on Phyllis (Weaver), his gambling-addicted daughter, who's been betting on the ponies. When a shady money lender is murdered, Shayne is set up to take the fall but he learns the suspect list is long. First in the series.