THE ADVENTURE OF THE WESTERN STAR

1990, 50 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran, Struan Rodger, Rosalind Bennett, Oliver Cotton, Alistair Cameron, Caroline Goodall.
Directed by Richard Spence.

This is one of the early episodes in the television series of Agatha Christie mysteries with David Suchet as Poirot. It is not a murder mystery but the investigation of a robbery and fraud.

Poirot is very proud that the most famous Belgian actress has sought his help. It concerns a perfect diamond, the Western Star. There is a mythology about it – and the story of a companion jewel, the Eastern Star. The owner of the Eastern Star, Lady Yardley, Caroline Goodall, visits Poirot but is interviewed by Hastings, very pleased with his conduct of the interview.

Poirot and Hastings go to the Yardley estate, see the jewel, experience and attack on Lady Yardley and the disappearance of the jewel.

There are complications with a German broker and his sinister connections and wanting to buy jewels. Chief Inspector Japp is pursuing him. The villain of the piece is revealed as the Belgian actress’s husband, who had a connection with Lady Yardley and his blackmailing her.

There is a climax at Croydon airport and the mystery of their being only one jewel solved.

1. The popularity of Agatha Christie mysteries, the television series with David Suchet as Poirot?

2. A robbery story rather than a murder mystery? Poirot, Hastings, Chief Inspector Japp?

3. The apartment block, the office, Miss Lemon and her work and attention, Poirot and his investigations, Hastings and his accompaniment, his being pleased with his meeting and interrogation – and later reprimanded for missing the point?

4. Poirot, the setting for the reception of the film star, her not coming, at her flat, her reputation, her actor husband, the plan for filming at the country manor? The situation with her diamond? Her fears? Her husband, his manner?

5. The visit of Lady Yardley, Hastings’ interview, the threats, the diamond, its history, the eyes of the gods, Eastern Star, Western Star, stealing the jewel?

6. Van Brake, the interrogation, Van Brake let go? His contact with the jeweller? His visit to the Yardleys? The Chief Inspector following him?

7. Poirot and Hastings, the visit, Lady Yardley and the explanations, her husband dismissing the threat, her showing the diamond, her being grabbed, the jewel missing, the piece of cloth in the door?

8. Poirot and Hastings, returning to London, Chief Inspector Japp? The visit to the jeweller? The fake diamond? Poirot’s threats? Van Brake and his visit? The news about the fake diamond? His going to the airport?

9. The actress’s husband, the history of his blackmailing Lady Yardley, only one jewel, his going to the airport?

10. Everyone converging at the airport? The arrest?