MISS MARPLE
THE COMPLETE MISS MARPLE
For followers of Radio 4's series of Agatha Christie dramatisation, June Whitfield had become the definitive audio Miss Marple. Now all nine BBC Radio Collection releases are released in one boxed set. Containing eighteen cassettes all the Miss Marple stories are included: The Moving FingerSleeping Murder
Nemesis
A Caribbean Mystery
4.50 From Paddington
A Pocket Of Rye
They Do It With Mirrors
At Bertram's Hotel
The Body in the Library
The Mirror Crack'd From Side To Side
A Murder is Announced
Murder at the Vicarage The set is priced £75.00 with ISBN 0563 535520.
They Do It With Mirrors
June Whitfield is Miss Marple inf this Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of the Agatha Christie book. Market Kindle is a pleasant village in the south of England, and is where Stonygate, a school for delinquent boys can be found. The school belongs to, and is run by, Lewis Serrocold, and is in the Victorian Mansion belonging to him and his elderly wife, Carrie Louise, an old friend of Jane Marple. When Jane pays Carrie Louise a visit she can tell that something is not quite right at the school, and when two gunshots are heard from behind the locked study door, her suspicions are confirmed. Although Lewis Serrocold has escaped the attempt on his life, Mr Gulbrandsen, another visitor to the househould, hasn't been so lucky. What did he know to make him the target of murder? Who has been trying to poison Carrie Louise with arsenic? And exactly what is the deeply disturbed, self-styled assistant of Serrocold, Edgar Lawson's, role in this? Jane Marple's infallible detective instinct succeeds in raising these and other significant questions - and all that is required now are the answers. Recently broadcast on Radio 4 (23rd July - 20th August), this five part adaptation is available for the first time on double cassette priced £9.99. ISBN 0563 478284.The Body in the Library - Television
St Mary Mead is probably the most dangerous sleepy village in the British Isles, and probably best known for its spinster inhabitant, Miss Jane Marple. Like Granada's productions of Poirot, the BBC produced the definitive collection of Miss Marple stories, with Joan Hickson as the amateur sleuth. Set in the late 1940s the body is that of an unknown platinum blonde, and the library is that of the Bantry's, and When Mrs Bantry calls upon her friend Jane Marple to help, she comes at once to investigate. While the police follow their own methodical methods, Jane has her own ideas and her instincts tell her that another tragedy will follow. Like most of the DVDs from Revelation, this was previously available on video, and there are no flashy extras, but it is 154 minutes long and takes up both sides of the DVD and therefore worth every penny.The Body in the Library - Radio
Dolly Bantry, mistress of Gossington Hall, is enjoying a pleasant doze when suddenly her dreams take a strange turn. The housemaid Mary is telling her that there is a body in the library. As she wakes up, it turns out to be true... but who is the strange young blonde sprawled ont he library floor? Enter St. Mary Mead's resident sleuth, the inimitable Miss Marple. June Whitfield returns to the role of Miss Marple in this BBC Radio four adaptation that was first broadcast on 22nd May 1999.A Pocketful of Rye
City financier, Rex Fortescue is mysteriously murdered, and Miss Marple has set about unravelling crime. It is discovered that poison was the method, and the occupants of the family home, Yew Tree Lodge, immediately come under suspicion, however, the police are baffled as the only clue appears to be a handful of Rye in the dead man's pocket. The list of suspects becomes shorter when one is found dead, and the significance of the nursery rhyme, 'Sing a Song of Sixpence…' becomes all too apparent. Starring Joan Hickson as Jane Marple, this 100 minute story is another Agatha Christie great.A Caribbean Mystery
Miss Marple is enjoying a well earned rest at the tiny Caribbean island of St Honore, that is until she is told a strange story of double murder by old Major Palgrave. Rumours begin to circulate and Miss Marple is not alone in thinking things are not all that they seem. When a murder takes place, she forms an alliance with the cantankerous Mr Rafiel, a crippled millionaire in order to sort things out.A Murder is Announced
This adaptation of Agatha Christies book, starts with an advert in the local paper, nestled amongst the usual notices about hum drum things "A murder is announced and will take place on Friday, October 29, at Little Paddocks, at 6.30pm. Friends please accept this, the only invitation." The whole of the village of Chipping Cleghorn is full of curiosity at this invitation and want to know if it is a game, and who is going to attend? The mistress of Little Paddocks, Letitia Blacklock, is also taken by surprise, but puts it down to her nephew as a practical joke. One thing she is sure of though, is that half of the village will be decending on the house expecting a glass of sherry. Sure enough, Little Paddocks sees its fair share of guests that evening, then as the clock strikes the half hour, the lights go out, and there are three gunshots. This adaptation stars June Whitfield as Miss Marple was recorded at Broadcasting House, London, and originally broadcast on Radio 4 between 9th August and 6th September 1999.The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side
After the death of her husband, Dolly Bantry sold Gossinton Hall tot he former film star Marina Gregg and her husband. When the glamourous couple decide to throw a benefit for the local hospital, the grounds are thronged with curious visitors, and for one of them, the day ends in tradgedy. It is up to Miss Marple to discover who was really mean to take the poison that killed poor Heather Babcock. This BBC Radio four adaptation that was first broadcast on 29th August 1998, and was, like the rest of the series, recorded at Broadcasting House, London.Murder at the Vicarage
St Mary Mead has, undoubtedly, the highest murder rate in any sleep village in the British Isles, and also one of the most famous amateur sleuths int he business, Miss Marple. Colonel Protheroe, the local magistrate and overbearing landowner, is the most detested man in the village, with eveyone, including the vicar, wishing him an untimely demise. Soon everyones wish is granted and he is found dead, shot through the head, in the vicars study. A visiting artist confesses to the murder, but he has been given an alibi by locals, so if he didn't shoot the Colonel, who did? Only Miss Marple can sort out the can of worms that lies behind the unsavory death, and she sets a trap in order to uncover the real murderer. The definitive radio Miss Marple, June Whitfield, returns in this Radio 4 adaptation that was first broadcast 27th to the 31st December 1993 - one of the first adaptations to be made.4.50 from Paddington
Elspeth McGillicuddy is down from Scotland for a holiday and boards the 4.50 from Paddington Station to visit her friend, Miss Marple. During the journey, another train pulls alongside and through the window Mrs McGillicuddy witnesses a man strangling a woman. She reports what she has seen, yet noone takes any nitice as there is no report if a murder. Only Miss Marple believes her and sets about first uncovering the murder and then the man responsible . This BBC Radio four adaptation that was first broadcast on 29th March 1997, and was recorded at Broadcasting House, London.A Pocket Full of Rye
Rex Fortescue is a wealthy financier, or rather was, as he was found dead with grains of rye in his pocket. Soon after, a woman is is found dead after eating bread and honey, and a maid is killed in the garden. Jane Marple senses the murderer is dispatching their victims on the basis of a children's nursery rhyme and finds herself involved in one of the strangest cases of her life. This story was first broadcast on 11th February 1995 on Radio 4, and was one of the first outings of June Whitfield as the spinster sleuth. Recorded at Broadcasting House, London.At Bertram's Hotel
Jane Marple has been treated to a few days stay in Bertram's Hotel, situated in a back street of busy Mayfair, by her niece. It is a place where life moves sedately and the residents are retired military gentlemen and upper class ladies, however, Miss Marple feels that all is not well. Instead of the rest and relaxation that she was intending, she begins to discover what goes on behind closed doors, and wipes away the polished veneer of the establishment. The story was first broadcast on Radio 4 beginning Christmas day, and ended on the 29th December. Recorded at Broadcasting House, London.POIROT
Murder on the Orient Express
John Moffat stars as the great Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot in this Radio 4 adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic, Murder on the Orient Express. An international cast of suspects are all passengers on a crowded train, when a bizarre and terrible murder brings them to an abrupt halt. This release comes on 2 CDs and is priced £12.99, ISBN 0563 478349.ABC Murders and After The Funeral
Alice Ascher is murdered in Andover; Betty Barnard is strangled in Bexhill-On-Sea, and each time a copy of the ABC railway guide is left with the body. Poirot has been warned in advance each time by a mysterious person calling themself ABC, but who is ABC? And where is the next crime going to take place? Can Poirot work it out before C also becomes a victim? When Richard Abernethie, last master of Enderby Hall, dies suddenly in his sleep, the family are eager to discover how his riches have been divided. However, the reading of the will is rudely interupted by his youngest sister Cora - 'he was murdered, wasn't he?' she blurts out. Used to her inopportune remarks, the family ignore her, but the next day, when Cora herself is found brutally murdered, they start to wonder... This double feature cassette contains both stories with John Moffat as Poirot. Running to almost 3 hours and priced just £9.99, this is excellent value and both are brilliant stories from the Queen of Crime. ISBN 0563 553928. The latest release from Granada Media is The Cornish Mystery and The Disappearance of Mr Davenheim, both from the second series in 1990. As ever, David Suchet gives and immaculate performance as the pompous Belgian detective, Poirot. The Cornish Mystery was dramatised by Clive Exton and co-stars Amanda Wlaker, Tilly Vosburgh, Jerome Willis and Derek Benfield. Poirot is visited by shy and retiring lady telling him of stomach pains after every meal that she has with her husband, but nothing when he is away - the little grey cells of Hercule are stimulated, and on the discovery that half a jar of weedkiller has been used, and not by the gardener, he has to act swiftly to avert a disaster. The Disappearance of Mr Davenheim was adapted by David Renwick (Burkiss Way and Jonathon Creek) and co-stars Mel Martin, Fiona McArthur, Ken Colley and Tony Mathews. Poirot, in a tour-de-force, wagers Inspector Japp that, without even leaving his flat, he can solve the mystery behind the disappearance of a banker who left his estate to post a letter and has not been seen since.Peril at End House
This feature length episode begun the second series and is available in the States on DVD from Acorn Media (but is a region 0 disc so will play happily in any DVD player!). First broadcast in 1990, the setting is Cornwall, and Poirot is on holiday with Captain Hastings, however, whilst out walking, Poirot stumbles, literally, into the pretty Nick Buckley, an accident prone heiress of the local estate and survivor of several near-fatal mishaps. Poirot doesn't believe that they are due to chance alone, and when strange connexions surface between distant relations, and absent pilot and a local gang of friends, his little grey cells go into action.The Mysterious Affair at Styles
The Mysterious Affair at Styles may have been Christie's first book, but it wasn't the first to be filmed in the Granada series, and was given the honour of taking pride of place as the 100 anniversary special to celebrate the birth of Christie. The feature length story was broadcast on the 16th September 1990 and dramatised by Clive Exton, and is available from Acorn Media on a region 0 DVD. It is the Summer of 1017 and the war-wounded Captain Hastings is recovering on the estate of Styles St Mary owned by his friend John Cavendish. The Cavendish household is wrought with tension due to the impending marriage of John's widowed mother to a younger man. In the village, Hastings bumps into his old friend Hercule Poirot, a famous Belgian detective, and when the estate's troubles become deadly, the friends unite to solve the mysterious affair at Styles.One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
This feature length episode concluded the fourth season of this excellent series. Clive Exton dramatised Christie's story that begins with a rather nervous Poirot visiting his dentist, only to find that he is one of the last people to see him alive as later in the day Inspector Japp telephones him to say that he has been found dead, and apparently it is suicide. Poirot, once he has got his teeth into the case (!), isn't quite so sure that the dentist took his own life, and is more than sure it wasn't the case when he goes through the day's list of patients. Each of these Acorn Media DVDs contains special features, and extras including interactive menus, a scene index, biographies of Agatha Christie and David Suchet, cast filmographies, Poirot Trivia and other Agatha Christie material. Although they are only available in the States, there are many retailers out there who will ship to the UK, and these discs are all region 0, and will play on any machine! Well worth seeking out.Hercule Poirot's Christmas
This BBC Radio 4 dramatisation has Peter Sallis in the role of the famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, and it is Christmas. Tryannical millionaire Simeon Lee has been estranged from most of his family for years, but now, on Christmad Eve, the old man calls them all together once more. Unable to disobey, the children gather uneasily and wonder what their father's intentions are. Does he want to clear up past misunderstandings or cause fresh mischief? Before they can find out, a deafening crash is heard overhead and rushing upstairs they discover a shocking sight: Simeon Lee lying in a pool of his own blood with his throat cut. The strangest thing is that the door to the room was locked from the inside and there is no sign of the murderer. With so many possibel suspects, it is lucky for Superindendent Sugden that the Chief constable has his old friend Hercule Poirot staying with him. It seems to be an impossible case, but as Poirot knows only too well, things aren't always as they seem.Peril at End House
Hercule Poirot and his good friend Captain Hastings are enjoying a well-deserved break on the Cornish Riviera, in the idyllic village of St Loo. Wnadering along the terrace of the Hotel Majestic on the first morning of their stay, Poirot literally falls at the feet of a pretty, dark-haired, girl, and much to Hastings' delight, insists that she joins them for cocktails. The girl is Nick Buckley, last in a long line of Buckleys to live at End House, and isolated old place perched on the end of a rocky outcrop. As she reasures the two friends that living there is more fun that it might seem, Poirot's ears prick up - she is having fun, Nick says, despite the fact that she has had three near-fatal accidents in the past few days. To Poirot, that adds up to more that coincidence, and when Nick jerks away from a bee flying past that turns out to be a bullet, the Belgian knows there is work ahead for the little grey cells. The perpetrator of these 'accidents' may well be endlessly inventive and diabolically clever, but is he a match for the meticulous M. Poirot? This serial was first broadcast between the 20th November and the 18th December 2000, on BBC Radio 4.Evil Under the Sun
The great Belgian detective is back, and in an exclusive hotel on a tiny picturesque island is relaxing from the stresses of solving crime. However, when the beautiful Arlena Stuart arrives, the tranquil atmosphere changes and becomes charged with an erotic tension. Things take a different turn when she is found strangled in a secluded cove, but few seem surprise, or express any regret. Poirot follows a twisting path of bizarre and bewildering clues, and is sure that the answer lies with Arlena herself, and that there is definitely evil under the sun. John Moffat stars as the impeccable detective, Hercule Poirot in this Radio 4 dramatisation of Agatha Christie's classic novel that was originally broadcast 6th April to the 4th May 1998 in five parts and repeated on Radio 4 of a weekday morning at 11.30 from 15th to 19th November 1999.