THE ADVENTURE OF THE ITALIAN NOBLEMAN

UK, 1993, 50 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran, Leonard Preston, Anna Mazzotti, David Neal, Vincent Riotta.
Directed by Brian Farnham.

One of the later episodes in the short stories in the television series based on Agatha Christie mysteries with David Suchet as Poirot.

The Italian nobleman of the title ultimately is revealed as a blackmailer – which leads to the Italian Embassy, denials of the First Secretary, and Embassy official going to Poirot, a mysterious Italian with a case of documents, and Italian car dealer and his assistant and issues of blackmail.

Hastings is seen buying an Italian car, hesitating but finally making a decision. Miss Lemon is seen as meeting a date, with a man who says he is a secretary to a political figure. The alleged political figure, the Italian nobleman, is murdered, a suspicious visit from the mysterious Italian with the suitcase. The man dating Miss Lemon is invited to tea with Poirot and is surprised to find Poirot and Hastings at the scene of the murder, and his position revealed as a valet.

Chief Inspector Japp is also involved in the investigation.

There is a climax at a harbour site, a boat for an escape out of England, and a car chase around the town.

A satisfactory solution to the mystery.

1. Popularity of the Christie mysteries? The television series? David Suchet as Poirot?

2. The atmosphere of the 1930s, political, Italy, pictures of Mussolini? Poirot’s office? The car sales? Apartments? Chichester and the sea, the walls, the car chase? The musical score?

3. The title? The Italian background? Italian cars and sales? Italian personnel at sales? The count, political connections, the First Secretary at the Embassy? The count, his valet, his murder? Intimations of blackmail?

4. Hastings, his love of cars, the discussions, the sale, his hesitation, final decision? His delight in driving the car? In the car chase? The crash? His car and issues of payment and insurance?

5. Miss Lemon, her role as secretary, her going out on the date, her return, Hastings’ reaction, Poirot’s invitation for the young man? His coming to tea, timid in manner, secretary’s account, the political discussions, the story of the Navy, the photo of his boat?

6. Sinister goings on at the car sales, the Italian manager, the saleswoman, talk of her uncle and the visit, Hastings observing? The death of the count? Hastings and Poirot going to the Italian wedding celebration? The young woman’s reaction?

7. The scene of the murder, Poirot and Hastings, the issue of the meal, the curtain not drawn, the cups, fingerprints, Poirot interviewing the chef? Chief Inspector Japp arriving later?

8. Graves, discovering that he was the valet, his self-promotion, his story?

9. The mysterious Italian, the Embassy, documents, money, the case? Graves telling the story of his visits? Graves and his fabricating the stories? The Italian, hiding in the hotel,
the truth about the documents? Is Trying to burn them?

10. Poirot and the further investigations? Uncovering Graves as the killer? The explanation?

11. Graves, trying to leave the country, his boat, Hastings remembering the photo, Chichester? The police? The car salesman and the assistant? Searching the boat?

12. Graves, his driving, seeing the police, his turning around, the chase and pursuit, Hastings driving? The crash?

13. Graves and his taunting of Poirot? And the reason for his visiting Poirot in the first place – and the challenge?

14. The postscript, Miss Lemon’s feelings, and her reaction about Graves and his not doing anything about the cat!