Murder Most Foul 1964

     Miss Marple is serving on a jury in the trial concerning the murder of a blackmailer.  She is the only vote of not guilty but the jury is hung 11-1 and that leads to a mistrial.  She is convinced she can learn who the real killer is.  She joins a local theatrical troupe because she feels someone in the cast is the real murderer.  There are clues leading back to the unsuccessful performance in 1951 of a play written by the group’s director.  Unfortunately, Miss Marple is not able to stop several more murders before she uncovers the solution.

     This is Margaret Rutherford’s third appearance as Miss Marple.  Margaret originally thought the Miss Marple series gloried murder but she changed her mind about that.  Agatha Christie envisioned someone smaller and frailer to portray Miss Marple but came to see Margaret as perfect.  This film is based on the Christie novel, Mrs. McGinty’s Dead.  Rutherford’s real life husband stringer Davis has the role of Marple’s friend Mr. Stringer.  This is good and probably better in black and white.  I started to put together who the murderer was but there were still holes in my theories.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

90 min, Comedy directed by George Pollock with Margaret Rutherford, Ron Moody, Charles “Bud” Tingwell, Andrew Cruickshank, Megs Jenkins, Ralph Michael, James Bolam, Stringer Davis, Francesca Annis, Pauline Jameson.

Note:  Imdb 7.2 out of 10, 75% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.5* out of 5*.

Special Note:  When Rutherford goes to the theater to audition for a role, she’s wearing what looks like a full bouquet of flowers in the neckline of her dress.  Only someone with her size could pull off a full bouquet!!