THE ADVENTURE OF THE CHEAP FLAT

UK, 1990, 50 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran, Samantha Bond, John Michie, Jemma Churchill, Peter Howell, Jennifer Landor, Ian Price, William Hootkins, Anthony Pedley.
Directed by Richard Spence.

While this is a London story and the cheap flat is not cheap but inexpensive, is also a film about military espionage, the Mafia, assassins and an FBI agent, extremely bunches (William Hootkins) coming to London, taking over chief Inspector Japp’s office, considering Poirot just as a gumshoe and not having a high opinion of them.

There is initial suspicion on a young couple who get the cheap flat while others have been rejected. However, Poirot with some research and nightclub interviews by Miss Lemon, Hastings inevitably helping but misunderstanding, the culprit who has not only stolen important plans but has killed someone, is tracked down to a London nightclub, the American assassin following, the FBI having a stakeout. The case is solved by Poirot, who has gone initially to the movies to see G-Men? with Hastings and chap who enjoy it immensely, with Poirot did testing the violence.

1. The popularity of Agatha Christie mysteries? The television series, 70 episodes, the short story? David Suchet as Poirot?

2. The London setting, Poirot at home and at work, Hastings accompanying him and theorising, helping out in crises? Miss Lemon, at home, her posing as the journalist?

3. A London story, the young Robinson couple, the woman refused the flat, the Robinsons accepted? Their being set up, target for the American Mafia?

4. The atmosphere with the gangster films, the FBI, the excerpt from The G Men, Japp and Hastings enjoying it and the excitement, Poirot closing his eyes? His reaction to guns in the street? American law?

5. The irony of the FBI agent, dominating, obnoxious, putting down Japp, calling Poirot a gumshoe? Taking over the office, the stakeout? His being one-upped? His acknowledgement at the end?

6. Poirot, investigating the mystery, the story of the stealing of the documents, the Mafia (and the FBI denial of organised crime in the US)? The singer, her background, in the United States, seducing the official, shooting him? Betraying the Mafia? Her fleeing to England? The Mafia sending a killer after her? Her setting up the Robinsons, her name being Robinson, targets?

7. Hastings and Poirot, meeting the Robinsons, their story, Poirot curious, examining documents? Inspecting the apartment, taking it, the exit for the bins, access to the Robinsons? His using it while they were at home? Examining the setup? Suspicions on them at first?
8. Miss Lemon at the nightclub, the interview? Identifying the singer as the killer? Poirot and his visit, the awkwardness of the manager?

9. The visit, the performance, the singer and her henchmen, the confrontation in the dressing room? The FBI and surveillance? The killer keeping vigil at the apartment?

10. The confrontation, the gun, the irony of Poirot removing the bullets, the arrest? Poirot solving the mystery, and achieving everything without having had recourse to gunfire?

11. Poirot being measured for his suit, the tailor, increased measurements, the humour?