MURDER AHOY
UK, 1964, 93 minutes, Black and white.
Margaret Rutherford, Lionel Jeffries, Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell, William Mervyn, Joan Benham, Stringer Davis, Nicholas Parsons, Miles Malleson, Derek Nimmo.
Directed by George Pollock.
The last of the four Miss Marple films with Margaret Rutherford, assisted by her real-life husband Stringer Davis. The film features Lionel Jeffries in a comic role an the captain of a ship. Charles Tingwell continues his appearances an Inspector Craddock.
The film in not based on an Agatha Christic novel but is an original screenplay based on an interpretation of the Miss Marple character by the writers. They seem to have generally captured Miss Marple's spirit, at least as played by Margaret Rutherford. She is herself again, full of derring-do with the help of Mr Stringer and even finishes up with a swashbuckling sword fight with William Mervyn an the villain. It is the last of a small but entertaining series.
1.The screenplay as an invention by the writers rather than based on an Agatha Christie novel? Their creation of an Agatha Christie-like Miss Marple, situation, murder mystery? Miss Marple’s characteristics? Manner of solving the mystery?
2.The opening, Miss Marple going to the shop and getting outfitted in her navy uniform? Going to the board of trustees, the welcome by the bishop, the trustee wanting to give his story, his being interrupted by the long speeches, the snuff and his death?
3.Miss Marple, the investigation, Inspector Craddock finding her on the steps? Her getting Mr Stringer’s help? Going to the boat, the captain welcoming her, having to give up his cabin, all the other officers having to take a step down in change of cabins, Humbert and his finishing up in the storeroom? Entertaining Miss Marple, the choir singing the navy songs? Her arrangements with Mr Stringer in the hotel, the signalling at night? The group going into the town and Mr Stringer following them?
4.Mr Stringer, his character, sidekick to Miss Marple – and the lights, the signal, coming to the boat? Encountering the vagrant man and his criticisms, the vagrant getting him out of his boat?
5.The captain, Lionel Jeffries and his bumbling, comedy? His exasperation with Miss Marple? Trying to get rid of her – but finally inviting her to stay? Breeze -Connington and his senior status? The matron and her attraction towards the captain? Dr Cromp and his breezy attitude towards the murders? Humbert and his place on the ship? Compton?
6.The various murders, the members of the crew being murdered? The group being sent in – the robberies on-shore? The cadets?
7.Miss Marple and her communicating with Inspector Craddock, the inspector coming on board, hiding in the boat? Miss Marple’s device for unmasking the villain?
8.Breeze-Connington, his explanations of his being passed over as admiral, his cooking the accounts, building up the money, for a lifestyle? The background of the various swords? Miss Marple and the fencing fight with Breeze- Connington?
9.The captain, his exasperation, his resigning – but his being exonerated? Declaring his love for the matron?
10.Miss Marple, the happy solution of the murders, her doing good with the trustees for the foundation?
