The High Window

BRASHER DOUBLOON - Privately minted gold coin made by Ephraim Brasher, a New York Goldsmith. Extremely rare and valuable.

BRASHER DOUBLOON, STAMPED 'EB' ON WING

THREE-DECKER CHEQUE/CHECK BOOK - Oversized cheque book used by businesses.

THREE-DECKER CHEQUE BOOK

CAHUENGA BUILDING - Office building at 6381 Hollywood Boulevard. Philip Marlowe's office is 'two small rooms at the back' on the sixth floor.

THE CAHUENGA BUILDING IS TO THE RIGHT OF THIS POSTCARD

STRAIGHT GOODS - On the level, the truth.

PLUG - To shoot.

HOOEY - Baloney, nonsense.

HOOVER COLLAR - Old-fashioned starched, rounded short collar once made fashionable by President Hoover.

DRIFT - Identical with SCRAM.

ALIAS CARD USED IN THE HIGH WINDOW BY PHILIP MARLOWE

WRONG JOHN/NUMBER - An untrustworthy person, a crook.

BUM STEER - False information.

FADE - Disappear, go away.

OLD TAYLOR WHISKEY - One of many drinks enjoyed by Marlowe.

OLD TAYLOR WHISKEY

BRISTOL APARTMENTS - Specifically Number 408, Philip Marlowe's address during The High Window. At 1624 North Bristol Avenue, Hollywood.

FOUR ROSES LIQUOR - Another Marlowe drink.

FOUR ROSES WHISKEY

BROAD - See DAME.

BRACE, TO - To confront.

GANG BUSTERS - Long-running and popular radio show. Ran from 1936 - 1957.

GLENVIEW 7537 - Marlowe's phone number in The High Window.

CROONER - Male singer of sentimental songs, typified by Bing Crosby.

B-PICTURE - A cheaply-made film with lower production values than likely box-office smashes.

GIN AND GLITTER - An apparently classy JOINT.

PINKERTON - Legendary Private Detection Agency established 1850 by Scotsman Allan Pinkerton. Famed as 'The Eye that never sleeps.' The Pinkerton Code laid down rules for Detectives;

• Accept no bribes
• Never compromise with criminals
• Partner with local law enforcement agencies
• Refuse divorce cases or cases that initiate scandals
• Turn down reward money
• Never raise fees without the client’s pre-knowledge
• Keep clients apprised on an on-going basis

 

(ABOVE) EARLY PINKERTON BADGE (BELOW) PINKERTON CREST

SUB-DEB BRIGHT - Lipstick made by the Coty company.

K.G.P.L. - L.A.P.D. Radio Dispatch.

HOP - see DOPE.

STENO/STENOGRAPHER - Transcriber of speech in shorthand.

WHITE - As in 'That's white of you.' Expression equivalent to 'That's fair of you.'

PASS-KEY - Key opening all doors in a Hotel etc.

BORAX - Mineral Laundry product.

PLAY, TO - To handle someone in a certain way.


NEMBUTAL - Short-acting barbiturate.

DIPSY-DOODLE - A ruse to distract or mislead. See alsoFAKELOO/HOOPLA.

CANFIELD - Card game, variant of Solitaire.

PUMP - To work someone for information - alluding to a water pump.

FISHBOWL - see COOLER.

FATIMA - Cigarette brand.

FATIMA CIGARETTES ADVERTISING SIGN