MYSTERY!: AGATHA CHRISTIE'S POIROT, SERIES 1: MURDER IN THE MEWS (TV)
Summary
One in this mystery anthology series. One in this series of Agatha Christie mysteries featuring Belgian dandy and private detective Hercule Poirot. Host Diana Rigg introduces the program, which deals with potential foul play committed during the celebration of Guy Fawkes Day.
On the night of the festivities, Poirot tells his assistant, Captain Arthur Hastings, and Chief Inspector James Japp that it would be a great time to commit a murder due to the loud fireworks exploding over the city. The next day, Japp calls to inform Poirot that a suicide of possibly fishy circumstances -- involving the late Barbara Allen, found shot through the head -- did indeed occur the previous night. Visiting the crime scene, Poirot and Japp find evidence inconsistent with suicide, particularly no key to the locked room where Barbara was found, and a broken cufflink left on the floor.
Speaking with Jane Plenderleith, Barbara's housemate, Poirot and Japp learn that Barbara was engaged to Parliament member Charles Laverton West. Later, Hastings introduces Poirot and Japp to a young neighborhood boy who offers some helpful eyewitness evidence. Later, Poirot and Japp meet with Laverton West, who is stunned to hear about his fiancee's death, though seemingly more concerned with the media's reaction.
Now positive that they are dealing with a murder, Poirot and Japp examine their suspects. They discuss the fact that two brands of cigarettes were in the victim's ashtray. Visiting Plenderleith again, Poirot and Japp try to get more information on the man that visited Barbara on the day of her death, Major Eustace, who may have been blackmailing her. Meeting with Laverton West again, Poirot and Japp try to cull information about Barbara's relationship with Eustace and to learn about Laverton West's alibi on the night in question.
Next, Poirot and Japp confront Eustace, questioning what happened between him and Barbara on the night of her murder. Upon realizing that it was Eustace's broken cufflink next to Barbara's body, Japp arrests the man. Later, Poirot spies on Plenderleith as she plays golf, during which he notices a series of broken clubs in consecutive trash cans and then catches her throwing a briefcase into the lake. Certain that Plenderleith is the culprit, Poirot calls her into his office, where he reveals how he found the answers to Barbara's death. However, the solution proves more twisted than anyone suspected, including Poirot.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: January 25, 1990 Thursday 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:54:35
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:30097
- GENRE: Drama, police/private detective
- SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Rebecca Eaton)
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1980-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Nick Elliott … Executive Producer
- Linda Agran … Executive Producer
- Brian Eastman … Producer
- Edward Bennett … Director
- Clive Exton … Writer
- Agatha Christie … Based on the story by
- Christopher Gunning … Music by
- Diana Rigg … Host
- David Suchet … Cast, Hercule Poirot
- Hugh Fraser … Cast, Captain Hastings
- Philip Jackson … Cast, Chief Inspector Japp
- Pauline Moran … Cast, Miss Lemon
- Juliette Mole … Cast, Jane Plenderleith
- David Yelland … Cast, Charles Laverton West
- James Faulkner … Cast, Major Eustace
- Gabrielle Blunt … Cast, Mrs. Pierce
- John Cording … Cast, Div. Insp. Jameson
- Barrie Cookson … Cast, Dr. Brett
- Christopher Brown … Cast, Golfer
- Bob Bryan … Cast, Barman
- Beccy Wright … Cast, Maid
- Nicholas Delve … Cast, Freddie
- Moya Ruskin … Cast, Singer
- Guy Fawkes