Sooner or later, romance or love enters the life of everyone. Even in lengthy series of books or films, the regular characters who aren't the "heroes" have brushes with love or romance. Followers of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot will know that the Belgian super sleuth has more than token affection for mademoiselles in three stories. Poirot's frequent companion, Captain Hastings, is attracted to two women in episodes in which he appears, and he actually takes off for South America after marrying a woman outside the scope of the printed page or film.
"The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman" is Miss Lemon's story of romance. Her suitor is supposedly a secretary to an Italian nobleman. When it turns out that he was just the nobleman's valet, romance teeters on the verge of collapse. Miss Lemon doesn't let social standing come between she and her man. But, ultimately, this romance is doomed to fail. Miss Lemon gives him up for a cat. And, it's just as well, since he was the culprit in this crime story.
Poirot and Hastings need not have worried about breaking that bad bit of news to Miss Lemon. She already had seen his colors. She now has the deceased nobleman's cat for company and has forgotten Edwin. But does Hercule Poirot like cats, or can he tolerate them? Miss Lemon didn't ask.
This bit of fun over Miss Lemon's beau adds an extra light touch to this Poirot episode. This story doesn't have the level of intrigue that fills most of Christie's Poirot mysteries. It does have a car chase, which is more of a dodge and hunt than a race, with the culprit weaving in and around a small port village with Hastings and the police in pursuit. The story also has Hastings buying an expensive Italian import, only to have it crumpled in the car chase.
Here's my favorite line in the film. Hercule Poirot, "Hastings, Miss Lemon has an admirer." Captain Hastings, "No!"
"The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman" is Miss Lemon's story of romance. Her suitor is supposedly a secretary to an Italian nobleman. When it turns out that he was just the nobleman's valet, romance teeters on the verge of collapse. Miss Lemon doesn't let social standing come between she and her man. But, ultimately, this romance is doomed to fail. Miss Lemon gives him up for a cat. And, it's just as well, since he was the culprit in this crime story.
Poirot and Hastings need not have worried about breaking that bad bit of news to Miss Lemon. She already had seen his colors. She now has the deceased nobleman's cat for company and has forgotten Edwin. But does Hercule Poirot like cats, or can he tolerate them? Miss Lemon didn't ask.
This bit of fun over Miss Lemon's beau adds an extra light touch to this Poirot episode. This story doesn't have the level of intrigue that fills most of Christie's Poirot mysteries. It does have a car chase, which is more of a dodge and hunt than a race, with the culprit weaving in and around a small port village with Hastings and the police in pursuit. The story also has Hastings buying an expensive Italian import, only to have it crumpled in the car chase.
Here's my favorite line in the film. Hercule Poirot, "Hastings, Miss Lemon has an admirer." Captain Hastings, "No!"