MURDER SHE SAID
UK, 1961, 87 minutes, Black and white.
Margaret Rutherford, Arthur Kennedy, James Robertson Justice, Charles Tingwell, Muriel Pavlow, Thorley Walters, Stringer Davis, Joan Hickson.
Directed by George Pollock.
Murder She Said was the first in a series of four films from Agatha Christie novels, featuring Margaret Rutherford as Miss Jane Marple. The series was filmed in black and white, had short running times, were directed by George Pollock. Australian Charles Tingwell became a regular as Inspector Craddock. Margaret Rutherford, in her early seventies, brought her comic zest to the role. She also had an opportunity to act with her husband Stringer Davis.
Murder She Says was based on the novel Four Fifty from Paddington. The technique of the series was to focus on a murder situation, get Miss Marple involved have the police disbelieve her, round up a series of suspects
especially the family, divert attention from a central character who was unobtrusively present and then unmask this character as the villain. Arthur Kennedy as the family doctor was thus unmasked in this film. The films had a jaunty score by Ron Grainer.
1. The appeal of Agatha Christie's novels? Her techniques especially in drawing readers' attention away from the Villain? The appeal of the detective story, the detective, the mystery, Agatha Christie's world, her delineation of characters? The anticipation of these qualities in film versions of her work?
2. The appeal of Miss Marple as a detective? An old lady being able to solve mysteries that the police cannot? How suitable is Margaret Rutherford for portraying Miss Marple? Margaret Rutherford's character styles, impact?
3. The small budget of the films and their brevity? black and white photography, Ron Grainer's special jaunty score? The use of British stars? The settings and Hiss Marple** Tory old-fashioned and British world?
4. The technique of setting the mystery and the crime and alerting the audience? The introducing of Miss Marple, sketching her character, showing the reasonableness of her involvement? The disbelief of the police and their growing trust in Miss Marple?
5. The setting of the characters and briefly sketching in their characteristics? Scenes contrived to make the audience suspicious? The clashes of the characters amongst themselves?
6. A nice blend of comedy sequences with suspense sequences? The atmosphere of Miss Marple searching for clues, gaining allies, lulling the villain into a false sense of security?
7. The preparation for the denouement, Miss Marple's participation, her lulling the villain into confessing? The real danger and threat to Miss Marple's life? How satisfying the bringing of the investigation to a conclusion?
8. The films and their portrayal of right and wrong, evil and motivation, the details of investigation, poetic justice?
Murder at the Gallop was the second in the series of Miss Marple thrillers adapted from Agatha Christie novels and directed by George Pollock. This film was based on After the Funeral. Robert Morley features very strongly in this film and brings his comic talent and style. Flora Robson takes over the Arthur Kennedy role from the first film and finally she is unmasked as the villainess. This film gave Margaret Rutherford an opportunity for Miss Marple to say things about Agatha Christie and also for the unusual sight of Margaret Rutherford and Stringer Davis doing the Twist. It was a good successor to the original.
