DOUBLE SIN
UK, 1989, 50 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran, Adam Kotz, Caroline Milmoe, Elspet Gray, David Hargreaves, Gerard Horan, Michael J.Shannon, Amanda Greenwood.
Directed by Richard Spence.
There is no specific reference during the film to its title. And, this is one of the milder episodes in the popular television series of Agatha Christie mysteries with David Suchet as Poirot.
At the end beginning, Poirot seems cantankerous, retiring, urging Hastings to have a holiday – and they travel to Morecambe to the Midland Hotel. There is news that Chief Inspector Japp is to give a lecture – and it emerges that Poirot, not wanting to reveal it, wants to hear the lecture. Poirot is gratified by what he hears.
The mystery of the episode is the stealing of a set of antique miniatures, curated by an elderly lady, taken by bus to a potential American buyer. He buys them in good faith but they are reported missing and they are confiscated and he is under suspicion. Hastings is charmed by the young woman who travels on the bus and he is eager to solve the case. There is a red herring when suspicion falls on an agitated young man who bumps into Hastings, is seen upset, meets with a woman and drives away – with Hastings and the police in pursuit. They are not the criminals.
Poirot has declared that he is retired but eventually, after hearing the praise and the lecture, goes into action, assembles the key characters and unmasks the villain who makes a mistake. She is the elderly lady who react badly when confronted by the buyer.
Attractive scenery, good to see the usual people – and a mild mystery.
1. The popularity of Agatha Christie mysteries, with David Suchet as Poirot?
2. Poirot and his office, the presence of Hastings, Miss Lemmon? The transition to the North, the 30s hotel, bus travel, the roads, the countryside? The musical score?
3. Poirot, saying that he had retired, being grumpy, taking Hastings on a holiday, the Midland Hotel at Morecambe, the interiors? The bus ride, Chief Inspector Japp’s talk, Poirot listening, pleased and satisfied?
4. Mary, her aunt, her aunt and wheelchair, the miniatures, Mary travelling to sell them, chatting with Hastings and Poirot, her leaving the cafe and checking the case, the disappearance of the miniatures?
5. The red herring of the young man with a moustache, bumping into Hastings, at the hotel, waiting, suspicious, his phone call, the woman coming to collect him, the fast car, pursued by Hastings? The irony of her identity, novelist, their eloping?
6. The businessman, his buying the miniatures, the arrival of the police, the interrogation, confiscating them, the certificate, under suspicion? His arrival at the restaurant? Unmasking the aunt?
7. Mary, Hastings and his gallantry, trying to solve the mystery, the suspicions of the young man, his possible disguise as an elderly woman? The American buying the miniatures in good faith?
8. Hastings, with the local constables, keeping vigil, the pursuit? Hastings wrong?
9. Poirot and the arrangement for the meeting, Mary and her aunt, the constables in plain clothes? Mary and the aunt arriving? The previous meetings with Poirot and her being charmed by him? The arrival of the American, the aunt making the mistake, getting up out of the chair, and Mary running as well?
10. A lower key story than usual?
