Flambeau (character)
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Hercule Flambeau is a fictional character created by English novelist G. K. Chesterton, who appears in 48
short stories A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the oldest t ...
about the character
Father Brown Father Brown is a fictional Roman Catholic priest and amateur detective who is featured in 53 short stories published between 1910 and 1936 written by English author G. K. Chesterton. Father Brown solves mysteries and crimes using his intui ...
. A master criminal, his surname "Flambeau" is an alias, the French word for a flaming torch. He first appeared in the story "
The Blue Cross Blue Cross is a registered animal welfare charity in the United Kingdom, founded in 1897. The charity provides veterinary care, offers expert behavioural help, and finds homes for pets in need. Their pet bereavement service supports those who a ...
" as a jewel thief. Father Brown foiled his attempted crimes in this and several other stories. As a notorious and elusive criminal, Flambeau is a worry for law-enforcers. He is exposed by Father Brown, and later becomes a detective himself. His last appearance as a thief occurs in "The Flying Stars", in which Father Brown persuades him to return his loot and to give up the criminal life. As a reformed criminal, Flambeau assists Father Brown in a number of other short stories, beginning with "The Invisible Man". Although Brown and Flambeau spend much of the day together in "The Blue Cross", when they meet again in "
The Queer Feet ''The'' () is a grammatical Article (grammar), article in English language, English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite ...
", Brown recognizes Flambeau but the thief has no recollection of the priest. He becomes Flambeau's friend before he reforms him, and uses this friendship to transform him. In "The Secret of Flambeau", Flambeau credits Father Brown for his reformation when he says, "Have I not heard the sermons of the righteous? hellip;Do you think all that ever did anything but make me laugh? Only my friend told me that he knew exactly why I stole, and I have never stolen since." Flambeau's fate is revealed in "The Secret of Father Brown". Retiring as a detective, he marries and settles in a Spanish castle, raises a large family and lives in a blissful state of domesticity. Flambeau gives up his assumed name and returns to using his birth name, Duroc. It has been suggested that Agatha Christie's famous detective
Hercule Poirot Hercule Poirot (, ) is a fictional Belgian detective created by British writer Agatha Christie. Poirot is one of Christie's most famous and long-running characters, appearing in 33 novels, two plays ('' Black Coffee'' and ''Alibi''), and more ...
was inspired by the character. Flambeau has appeared in several film, television and radio adaptations. Actors who have portrayed him include: *
Paul Lukas Paul Lukas (born Pál Lukács; 26 May 1894 – 15 August 1971) was a Hungarian actor. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor, and the first Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama for his performance in the film '' Wat ...
– '' Father Brown, Detective'' (1934 film) * Bill Griffis – ''
The Adventures of Father Brown ''The Adventures of Father Brown'' is a 1945 radio crime drama that aired on the Mutual Broadcasting System, adapted from G. K. Chesterton's stories of Father Brown. The 30-minute detective series starred Karl Swenson Karl Swenson (July 23 ...
'' (1945 radio series) * Peter Finch – ''
Father Brown Father Brown is a fictional Roman Catholic priest and amateur detective who is featured in 53 short stories published between 1910 and 1936 written by English author G. K. Chesterton. Father Brown solves mysteries and crimes using his intui ...
''/''The Detective'' (US title) (1954 film) *
Siegfried Lowitz Siegfried Lowitz (22 September 1914 – 27 June 1999) was a German actor. Born in Berlin, he played the Hauptkommissar ''Erwin Köster'' in the German television drama '' Der Alte''. Prior to his tenure as Hauptkommissar, he played a killer ...
– '' Das schwarze Schaf'' (''The Black Sheep'') (1960 film) * Dennis Burgess''Father Brown'' (1974 TV series) * Olivier Pierre – '' Father Brown Stories'' (1984–1986 BBC Radio series) * John Light''Father Brown'' (2013 TV series) (Episodes: 1.10 "The Blue Cross", 2.5 "The Mysteries of the Rosary", 3.10 "The Judgment of Man", 4.5 "The Daughter of Autolycus", 5.15 "The Penitent Man", 6.10 "The Two Deaths of Hercule Flambeau", 7.10 "The Honourable Thief", 8.5 "The Folly of Jephthah", 9.5 "The Final Devotion")


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of "The Blue Cross". Fictional French people in literature Fictional gentleman thieves Literary characters introduced in 1910 G. K. Chesterton Public domain characters in the United States {{lit-char-stub