THE VEILED LADY
UK, 1990, 50 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran, Frances Barber, Terrence Harvey.
Directed by Edward Bennett.
This is an early short story from the television series of Agatha Christie mysteries starring David Suchet as Poirot.
While there is a murder in this story, it is in the background. In the foreground is a jewel robbery, al ady being blackmailed, an expose.
The film opens in a London Arcade with a brazen jewel robbery. Poirot is not interested because he feels he is not being appreciated – and Hastings remarking that criminals in England are not afraid of him because they hadn’t heard of him! Poirot suggests he would have made an excellent criminal had he chosen to be.
The veiled lady comes to see him but he and Hastings meet her at a hotel. She is a very glamorous presence, played by Frances Barber, and explains that when young she had written a letter, which could be misinterpreted and a professional criminal now has it and is blackmailing her. Poirot responds gallantly and succumbs to the temptation of activity, pretending to be a tradesman at the blackmailer’s house (who would come to visit Poirot and defied him). There is a very imperious housekeeper who looks down her nose at Poirot. He works on the locks of the house, he and Hastings returning at night to find the mysterious letter, the housekeeper having stayed the night calls the police, Poirot is put in jail and is released with cognizance by Chief Inspector Japp. There is a comedy of seeing Poirot out of his dapper suit, riding a bicycle, wearing a beret, sitting in jail and Japp telling the police that he was known as Mad Dog.
Poirot finds the secret box with the letter, tries to return it to the lady, she wants the box – and the revelation that it contains the jewels from the robbery and that she and the blackmailer are actually professional criminals well-known to Japp. There is an elaborate chase in the Museum of Natural History.
An entertaining variation on the theme.
1. The popularity of the Agatha Christie mysteries, the television series with David Suchet as Poirot?
2. Hastings as Poirot’s associate, with an appreciative eye to the ladies, misinterpreting Poirot’s explanations, but aiding him in the housebreaking? Miss Lemon and her assistance, her research?
3. The title, the introduction of Lady Millicent, the veil, calling, the meeting at the hotel, her reticence, Hastings finding her attractive, her story of the indiscreet letter, the criminal blackmailing her, her impending marriage, not having the money to pay? Poirot and his willingness to help?
4. The background of the jokes about London criminals, Poirot’s vanity, that he could have been a good criminal had he chosen, Hastings remarking that the London criminals did not know who he was?
5. The visit from the blackmailer, his arrogance, refusing any compromise?
6. Poirot’s decision, to act like a criminal, his riding the bike, the blue coat, his beret? Pretending to be the tradesman, the housekeeper and her haughty attitude? His fixing the doors? He and Hastings returning at night, the search for the document, all through the house, finding the box? The landlady staying overnight, calling the police, Hastings bursting out the window, Poirot arrested? In jail, in the cell? His complaint to Hastings – but Hastings explaining his going to Chief Inspector Japp to get Poirot released? And Japp enjoying telling the police that
Poirot was feared as Mad Dog?
7. The meeting with Lady Millicent, the letter, the other compartment, the jewels? Her taking them? The pursuit through the Natural History Museum, the accomplice turning up, Japp knowing who they were, regular criminals, their hiding, Hastings finding them?
8. The background of the murder in Amsterdam but its not being part of this plot?
9. The criminals, the arrest, and Poirot having had his fling at criminal activity?
