Raymond Chandler died 50 years ago today. The guy who created Philip Marlowe, an L.A. shamus who knew  the world was as crooked as a hockey stick. In novels such as The Big Sleep and Farewell, My Lovely, Chandler played the same notes as Marylanders writers James M. Cain and Dashiell Hammett. Politicians had something to hide, cops were on the take, dames were dangerous distractions and whiskey kept a man sane. The writing was hard-edged: "I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a house in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun." And his influence lives on -- you could draw a straight line from Chandler's characters to those in The Wire.

Mark the anniversary with these critiques from Los Angeles Times or The Telegraph. Or try this quiz -- fill in the blank to complete Chandler's description. Post your answers here; we'll pick a couple of commenters for a giveaway of new mysteries. 

1. The walls here are as --- as a hoofer's wallet" Playback

2. The voice got as ---- as a cafeteria dinner. Farewell, My Lovely

3. ---- as a roadhouse blonde. Spanish Blood

4. She was as ---- as a washtub. Farewell, My Lovely

5. His smile was as ---- as a frozen fish. "The Man Who Liked Dogs"

6. You boys are as ---- as a couple of lost golf balls. The High Window