The
lowdown: 'A Pocketful of Rye' is based on the Agatha Christie
novel of the same name, and was first
broadcast on BBC2 on 7 and
10 March 1985, as a two-part episode. A total of 12 episodes of 'Miss Marple'
were made starring Joan
Hickson in the title role of the elderly spinster who helps the police
to solve baffling
crimes in the English countryside.
The shows were a co-production between the BBC, Arts & Entertainments
Network in the US and the
Seven Network in Australia (where it was broadcast in telemovie format).
The
episode: In 'A Pocketful of Rye', the police investigate
the sudden death of Rex Fortescue, a wealthy
businessman who recently
married a woman who is much younger than him (cue immediate finger of suspicion
being pointed). His wife
in fact was having an affair. Rex was not particularly well-liked, even
by his family, and
nobody seems too upset by
his death. However, the police discover that he was poisoned, and his wife
soon
meets a similar fate. The
police are, as is typical for the series, baffled by the crimes, but Miss
Marple realises
that the killer is using
a children's nursery rhyme as the basis for his/her crimes. The plot features
the usual red
herrings and link to events
of the past that are typical elements of an Agatha Christie plot, while
a seemingly
worthless gold mine proves
to be central to the story.
Peter Davison features as
Lance Fortescue, the youngest son of the deceased, who has lived in South
Africa
for some years after a falling-out
with his father. However, the death of Rex coincides with Lance's return
to
England with his new wife.
It turns out that Lance had hopes of a reconcialiation with his father,
and expected
to return to England permanently
to work for the 'Guvnor', as he calls his father. Davison is excellent
as the prodigal
son, and indeed the entire
cast is very good, but Fabia Drake is superb as Lance's aunt, the elderly
Miss Henderson.
Doctor Who fans will recognise
Annette Badland of Slitheen fame as the hapless maid who can't do anything
right.
The
verdict: 'A Pocketful of Rye' is not one of Christie's
best stories. Nevertheless, this BBC adaptation is well
done and entertaining, and
should please most fans of Agatha Christie. Indeed, the high production
standards and
the attention to detail
make the BBC productions essential viewing for fans of her work, and for
many Joan Hickson
is the one and only Miss
Marple. However, some fans may prefer the more recent and updated 'Marple'
series that
is screened on ITV.
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