Raymond Chandler’s Birthday

Raymond Chandler, the American novelist and screenwriter, was born today in 1888.

Chandler’s own lifestyle probably inspired the noir archetype of the hard-drinkin’ detective as much as his books did. The most famous story goes that when he found himself unable to complete the screenplay for The Blue Dahlia, he went on a week-long bender, fully supported by the movie studio. He consumed nothing but bourbon for a week as he pounded out the ending of the script, and the film producers hired a doctor to inject him with vitamins twice a day, as well as a number of secretaries to be at the ready to assist with dictation, typing, and other emergencies, should the need arise.
Though he was, by no means, a responsible drinker, he had some great thoughts on whiskey…

“There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren’t as good as others.” -Raymond Chandler