Call Dick Tracy! Calling Dick Tracy!

by Garyn G Roberts

[dicktracy.jpe] Dick Tracy is an American Icon. If you think of famous detectives throughout the 20th century, Charlie Chan, Philip Marlowe, and Dick Tracy immediately come to mind. Of those three, Philip Marlowe and Charlie Chan originally appeared in novel format. Charlie Chan was the brainchild of Earl Der Biggers, while Philip Marlowe was the penultimate hard boiled detective from 'Maltese Falcon'.

Dick Tracy was the only detective that started in the 'funnies', then moved to the big screen. Interesting enough, all three images of the stereotypical detective were active in the theatres during the same time period. Charlie Chan saw film time during the 1930's and 40's, and will again see the screen this next couple of years. Humphrey Bogart typified the hard boiled Marlowe to great acclaim in 'Falcon' and 'Big Sleep', while Dick Tracy was seen in movie serials and features, appeared in the comics, on television, and even could be heard on the radio! Ralph Byrd was the first movie Tracy, Morgan Conway took up the watch and hat after Byrds' death, and in the 1990's Warren Beatty and Madonna lit up the pastel screen.

True to his era, Dick Tracy had his gadgets. Not only did he have gadgets, but he also used proper police procedures to solve the crimes. Part of the appeal of Dick Tracy was the supporting cast, but timeless themes were utilized to appeal to the broadest spectrum possible. Some of the themes used in the strips include:

1. Crime Detection,
2. An idealized father like figure
3. A child protege
4. A love relationship
5. Interesting criminals and situations
6. Humor
7. Imaginative death traps
8. Real life historical events
9. Accurate police methods

Chester Gould created Dick Tracy in response to the socioeconomic atmosphere of America at that time. Gangland violence was rampant, as well as the belief that violent acts by the appropriate authorities could restore the balance of good and evil. Dick Tracy portrayed violence in a graphic, black and white fashion. Violence, when used by the police was good, and resulted in justice and punishment. Violence, when used by the villains, was bad, and the result was punishment upon themselves. J. Edgar Hoover even paid a compliment to Gould and his team for the example they set for morality and justice in society.

In terms of timelines, 'Dick Tracy' began October 4, 1931 in the Detroit Mirror. As the first adventure strip, Gould started a trend towards the continuing story. 'The Phantom', and 'Mandrake the Magician' entered the strip world a couple of years after Tracy, and 'Terry and the Pirates' debuted on October 22, 1934. Another interesting note is the longevity of Dick Tracy and his friends. Today, you can still find Dick Tracy on the comic pages, as well as Mandrake, The Phantom, and Tarzan. Prince Valiant still reigns supreme over the comic art world.

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