Ever since Covid struck, one of the things that I have become of a fan of are the ITV series, Marple and Poirot.
Poirot took some time to get through because ITV started the series with several seasons of one-hour mysteries that took some time to cut through before getting to the mysteries based (sometimes loosely) on the books. But each episode was perfection.
Marple, on the other hand went by way too fast. Two actresses played Marple in this series.
In the second half, she was played by Julia McKenzie who I admired and enjoyed for years. Her take on Marple was business like, efficient. Unfortunately, to get enough material, someone of the scripts were based on non-Marple stories. Several of the episodes seem to have flashbacks, and I am not a fan of flashbacks. Flash forwards are fine, but a flash back is usually unneeded if the dialogue is written correctly.
For as much as I have enjoyed McKenzie - I was first introduced to her as woman who made trousers for her cow on Cranford - the real joy came in the first twelve episodes of in which Geraldine McEwen played Marple.
Unlike Margaret Rutherford's boisterous turn, and McKenzie's cool cookie, McEwen was as sly and she was charming, a softer Marple. Observant, and gentle, there was a twinkle in her eye in every episode. And she played Marple as a woman who was more than just as an inquisitive old woman.
My understanding was that as Marple progressed, she found the process taxing and asked to leave after the 12 books were completed. She died several years after she left. I have been scrounging about for her other roles.
BOTH of these fine actresses were enjoyable.
AFTER we finish up with Ms. McKenzie (we have four episodes left), then we start what the Miss Marple's that everyone claims is the Ultra Marple - played by Joan Hickson.
Hickson impressed Christie in a radio program in the which she read the part so much so that Christie told the actress that she hoped she would one day play the role in a film. I was surprised to see that Hickson was part of some "Carry On" films. I might want to see those as a primer of sorts.
Even Queen Elizabeth reportedly so enjoyed Hickson's portrayal over Rutherford's that she complimented Hickson by saying that her efforts were exactly what Elizabeth herself Marfple would be like.
We'll see about that.
An interesting take on Miss Marple's various "players" from a transatlantic perspective, indeed.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Rutherford was a magnificent actress, adept at playing eccentrics (as in Passport to Pimlico or Blithe Spirit), but her Miss Marple was hardly the deceptively meek, overlooked-at-your-peril character as Miss Christie wrote her.
Geraldine McEwen was one of my favourite actresses, not least for her pitch-perfect "Lucia" in the original TV version of Mapp and Lucia, but also for her portrayal of "Miss Jean Brodie" in the 1970s TV adaptation of the Maggie Smith film classic. Her Miss Marple was everything you describe, but was let down by the tawdry modern "adaptations" of the original Agatha Christie scripts. As was the marvellous Julia McKenzie - a long-time fave of ours here at Dolores Delargo Towers, not least because of her lifetime dedication to the works of Stephen Sondheim (as well as being stalwart of "light sitcoms" and variety shows on UK telly) - who we felt was somewhat wasted on that series' depiction of how the role should be played. As you say about the over-use of "flashbacks", the whole thing was too gimmicky.
It's definitely Joan Hickson's version that was the definitive - the best ever - portrayal of Miss Marple. True to the books, true to the character, and beautifully acted. Enjoy! Jx
I adore all the show you mentioned. I though the Poirot was pretty good. I though David Suchet was pretty good with getting the mannerisms and quirks down, he and Peter Ustinov were probably my two favorites.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed also all three incarnations of the Marple series. As far as Hickson's she was even approved of by Agatha Christie herself. Agatha Christie saw Ms. Hickson in the 1946 play of the Christie novel "Appointment With Death." Christie persoanlly sent Ms. Hickson a note that read, "I hope one day you will play my dear Miss Marple."
I enjoy all my ITV and BBC mysteries Dr Blake, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, Grantchester, Midsommer Murders, Rosemary and Thyme, Inspector Morse, Unforgotten, Vera, Professor T, Death in Paradise, and Frankie Drake Murder Mysteries. And don't get me started on the comedies.
My favorites, Poirot and Marple! My Mama was a mystery fan, so I read all of Christie's works when I was young. Perfect reading and viewing! xoxo
ReplyDeleteFascinating. I haven't the patience, but I do like a good mystery. How is Cookie doing these days? An update would be appreciated. Wishing you the very best... enjoy these days.
ReplyDeleteThen make sure to watch 'Murder by Death'.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that film! Jx
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