Murder Most Foul (1964)

Director:

George Pollock

Writers:

Agatha Christie (novel)
David Pursall (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

September 1964 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

New misdeeds are afoot afoot the footlights!

Plot:

When Miss Marple joins a theatrical company after a blackmailer is murdered, several members of the troupe are also dispatched by this mysterious killer.

Plot Keywords:

Miss Marple | Murder | Jury | Theatrical Troupe | Strangulation

Cast

Margaret Rutherford	...	Miss Jane Marple
Ron Moody	...	H. Driffold Cosgood
Charles 'Bud' Tingwell	...	Inspector Craddock (as Charles Tingwell)
Andrew Cruickshank	...	Justice Crosby
Megs Jenkins	...	Gladys Thomas
Dennis Price	...	Theatrical Agent Harris Tumbrill
Ralph Michael	...	Ralph Summers
James Bolam	...	Bill Hanson
Stringer Davis	...	Jim Stringer
Francesca Annis	...	Sheila Upward
Alison Seebohm	...	Eva McGonigall
Terry Scott	...	Police Constable Wells
Pauline Jameson	...	Maureen Summers
Maurice Good	...	George Rowton
Annette Kerr	...	Dorothy

Also Known As:

Agatha Christie's Murder Most Foul (UK) (complete title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

UK:U (video rating) (1990) | UK:U (tv rating) | Finland:K-12 | Norway:16 | UK:U | USA:Unrated | West Germany:12 | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Palace Theatre, Watford, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios

Trivia:

There are various references to the work of William Shakespeare: the title hails from "Hamlet" Act I, Scene V (lines 27-28) where the Ghost speaks: "Murder most foul, as in the best it is;/But this most foul, strange, and unnatural." A key phrase in the film hails from "Romeo and Juliet" ("What's in a name? That which we call a rose/By any other name would smell as sweet" (Act II, Scene II)). And Cosgood alludes to "Macbeth"'s line "Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleave of care" (Act II, Scene II, lines 34-35).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The scissored copy of the Milchester Gazette found by Miss Marple is undated; as this is a mock-up especially for the film it would seem that the date was - intentionally or otherwise - overlooked.

Quotes:

Justice Crosby: Madam, either you will need to cease knitting or I shall need to cease judging.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Remington Steele: Steele Flying High (#1.12)" (1983)

Soundtrack:

Theme From Dr. Kildare

Murder, she said

This MGM British production, part of a series starring the incomparable Margaret Rutherford, is as enjoyable today, as it was when it was released. George Pollock, the director deserves credit for the immensely satisfying film version of Agatha Christie's "Mrs. McGinty's Death". The excellent copy we saw recently on TCM appears as good now, as it probably did when it first made its theatrical debut.

Miss Jane Marple was Agatha Christie's best creation. She is a no nonsense woman who can't be easily persuaded to condemn the man on trial, in which she is seen as part of the jury at the start of the film. Ms. Marple knows the man is not guilty, even when she gets the other jury members to give her dirty looks when she votes against the others to acquit the man on trial.

Miss Marple starts digging around the dead woman's room and discovers the programs for "Murder, She Said", a play by the theatrical production company that is performing at a theater near her. She enlists her friend Jim Stringer to help her catch the culprit. We are not prepared to see Miss Marple become part of a second rate theatrical troupe touring the country.

"Murder Most Foul" is a must to be seen by all Agatha Christie's fans and mystery fans because of the charisma Margaret Rutherford exuded playing the title character. Ms. Rutherford was an actress that always delivered in her many films. She is an acquired taste that ages well as a good wine.

The supporting cast play like an ensemble. Ron Moody, Charles Tingwell, Stringer Davis, Francesca Annis, Terry Scott, Dennis Price, and the rest, do what they do best and in the process enhance the film.

This is a tribute to the genius of the Jane Marple of Margaret Rutherford!