Murder Most Foul (1964)

When Miss Marple joins a theatrical company after a blackmailer is murdered, several members of the troupe are also dispatched by this mysterious killer.

Director:

George Pollock

Writers:

David Pursall (screenplay), Jack Seddon (screenplay),

Stars:

Margaret Rutherford, Ron Moody, Charles 'Bud' Tingwell

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Margaret Rutherford	...	Miss Jane Marple
Ron Moody	...	H. Driffold Cosgood
Charles 'Bud' Tingwell	...	Inspector Craddock (as Charles Tingwell)
Andrew Cruickshank	...	Justice Crosby (as Andrew Cruikshank)
Megs Jenkins	...	Mrs. Gladys Thomas
Ralph Michael	...	Ralph Summers
James Bolam	...	Bill Hanson
Stringer Davis	...	Jim Stringer
Francesca Annis	...	Sheila Upward
Pauline Jameson	...	Maureen Summers
Annette Kerr	...	Dorothy
Alison Seebohm	...	Eva McGonigall
Windsor Davies	...	Sergeant Brick
Neil Stacy	...	Arthur (as Neil Stacey)
Maurice Good	...	George Rowton

Storyline

Adaption of Agatha Christie's "Mrs. McGinty's dead". Miss Marple is the only jury member who believes that an accused is innocently charged with murder, so she joins a local acting troupe and tries to figure out who the real murderer is.

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Plot Keywords:

miss marple | murder | jury | strangulation | theatrical troupe | 

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Taglines:

New misdeeds are afoot afoot the footlights!

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

Vier Frauen und ein Mord

Filming Locations:

Aylesbury Crown Court, Market Square, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios, Lawrence P. Bachman Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The music playing at the opening of the hospital scene is a reference to the television show Dr. Kildare, down to the shot of the doors to the ward. The score alludes to the theme music from the series, "Three Stars Will Shine Tonight", composed by Jerry Goldsmith.

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Goofs

The scissored copy of the Milchester Gazette found by Miss Marple is undated; as this is a mock-up especially for the film it would seem that the date was - intentionally or otherwise - overlooked.

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Quotes

H. Driffold Cosgood: [to Miss Marple] I'll fetch the scripts right away.
[to Ralph]
H. Driffold Cosgood: Ralph, call the theater. Tell them we're rehearsing on stage for a week...
Miss Jane Marple: Mr. Cosgood, I wouldn't think I was anyone's idea of a detective.
H. Driffold Cosgood: Not anyone's, dear Miss Marple, but you're mine. You're certainly mine.
Ralph Summers: ...and mine!

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Connections

References Dr. Kildare (1961)

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Soundtracks

"Theme From Dr. Kildare"
(uncredited)
Music by Jerry Goldsmith

User Reviews

Marple Stage-struck

Jane Marple joins a rather interesting acting troupe in order to find out the real killer of Mrs. McGinty, a woman hanged in her apartment. Marple initially is a member of a jury judging the case of a man who she believes was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Once a part of the acting company, murder follows and Jane's life becomes in great peril. Margaret Rutherford once again dons the role of super-sleuth Jane Marple. She looks like she is having so much fun with the role as she rolls her eyes, makes suggestive facial expressions, and furls her capes. She truly is a joy to watch as she waltzes her way through this rather tame, uninspired material. But what the story lacks in creativity, she adds with her screen persona. Her recitation of the Robert Service poem "The Killing of Dan McGrew" is worth a look at the film alone. Stringer Davis, as her librarian friend(and real-life husband) and Charles Tingwell, as Inspector Craddock, are back once again to aid Miss Marple(not that she really needs their help). Both actors are fun to watch as they interact with the grand dame. Ron Moody plays the head of the acting troupe. He is as ever very eccentric and plays nicely off Rutherford as well. It's a pity this was the last of the Marple/Rutherford films. They are so much fun to watch!