Poirot (TV Series) The Adventure of the Cheap Flat (1990) User Reviews

A rather implausible espionage tale with a dazzling femme fatale

[gridoon2024 · 7/10 · 11 November 2008]

Hercule Poirot is intrigued by the story of a young couple, both friends of Captain Hastings, who managed to rent a comfy new flat for a surprisingly low price, despite the fact that the ad had been released to the papers quite some time ago. Meanwhile, Inspector Japp has to temporarily work with an American FBI agent who has come to London searching for a woman who stole the secret plans of a new US submarine model and may be planning to sell them to the Italian Embassy. Could these two cases be somehow connected?

One of the relatively few espionage tales of the "Poirot" series, "The Adventure of the Cheap Flat" has some hard-to-swallow points, most notably the fact that the female spy, wanted by the police and the Mafia on both sides of the Atlantic, would go back to doing the exact same profession she practiced in the US, instead of keeping a low profile. However, Jennifer Landor gives us one of the first true femme fatales of the series, not at the level of Jane Wilkinson from "Lord Edgware Dies", but still quite memorable, especially in a sequence set at a dock. Future Moneypenny and past Agatha Christie girl (in the Miss Marple mystery "A Murder Is Announced") Samantha Bond also has a small part. (***)

the invasion of the Americans

[kaberi-893-642316 · 7/10 · 29 September 2015]

In Christie's original stories, she almost always wrote Americans as being rather loud and boorish and using vocabulary that seems odd to us Americans from less than 100 years further on. The television series, meanwhile, has had a shaky history of portraying Americans. Some of them have very peculiar ways of talking (Mrs. Vanderlay from "The Incredible Theft" comes to mind) and then others, like Charles Lester from "The Lost Mine" seem rather more natural. "The Third Floor Flat" has a preponderance of loud, boorish Americans, mostly gun-wielding gangsters and the gun-wielding officers of the law who pursue them. They are the standout feature of this episode, which is otherwise mildly amusing but not remarkable.

The plot is a bit complex; Poirot and Hastings meet a couple at a party who have just recently moved into a nice apartment sublet to them at an unusually low price. So low, in fact, that Poirot becomes suspicious and decides to sublet the flat above theirs in order to investigate. Suffice it to say that the lady who sublet the flat to the couple has reasons for wanting to be shed of it quickly and quietly. Miss Lemon has a nice scene in which she pretends to be a writer for a woman's magazine in order to interview a suspect. (Poirot has a nice line when he tells her afterward, "I think the newest recruit of the Ladies' Review has made a scoop.") Overall the episode is entertaining, although it does leave rather an unpleasant American taste in one's mouth.

Poirot keeps busy in this one

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 22 February 2014]

Ever anxious to keep his little gray cells invigorated, Hercule Poirot takes on two cases which soon look as if they may collide.

At a party, he and Hastings meet the Robinsons, a young couple who brag about renting a dirt-cheap flat in a gorgeous apartment house in an excellent neighborhood. Poirot finds this suspicious and decides to investigate.

Then Inspector Japp calls him in on an espionage case. The U.S. Navy has had secret plans for a submarine stolen, and not only is Scotland Yard involved, but the FBI. Their representative is dismissive of Poirot (and also keeps claiming that there is no such thing as the Mafia). When Poirot sees the man they are tailing, he recognizes him as someone who has been standing outside the apartment house of the young couple.

Delightful episode, with Poirot again doing his second story man routine, complete with tools, as he picks a lock in the apartment while Hastings distracts its occupants.

It's hard to fault such a well-done series, but with so many years of Poirot, there are bound to be some episodes that are better than others. This is definitely one of the better ones.

Espionage is the subject of this Hercule Poirot TV film

[SimonJack · 9/10 · 26 January 2018]

This entry in the TV series of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot is about espionage, with much intrigue. This plot also has some extras. One is the visit of an FBI agent from America who's coming to help Scotland Yard catch a thief who has some stolen secret U.S. Navy documents. The American agent is a belligerent jerk. But, as with all such doubting characters in the beginning, he comes around to Poirot's superior sleuthing. In the end he sees Poirot as a capable and valuable ally for the formal law enforcement bodies.

This plot has two separate stories that eventually converge. Poirot's faithful and able secretary, Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran) gets to do some front-line work for the boss. When the FBI agent takes over Japp's office at Scotland Yard, Japp doesn't hesitate to give Poirot information and contacts so that he can pursue the thief and stolen documents.

One of the funniest things in "The Adventure of the Cheap Flat" is FBI agent Burt repeatedly and loudly insisting that the Brits and others are wrong. He says that there's no Mafia or organized crime in America. The vehicles in this film place the story in the mid-1930s. That's when the newly created FBI replaced the previous Justice Department's Bureau of Investigation. The purpose of both was especially to fight organized crime.

Here are a couple humorous lines from the film - both by Poirot to Hastings. "Really, Hastings, you must try to keep up with the newer idioms." "Hastings - it is always wise to make a thorough inspection before arriving at a final decision." This is another very enjoyable Agatha Christie entry in the life of the greatest detective of all time.

The Adventure of the Cheap Flat

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 1 May 2012]

This is one of my personal favourites of the short-story adaptations. There may be a couple of implausible moments, but it is a constantly clever and thrilling story, with the writing done in an intelligent, humorous and tense manner. The Adventure of the Cheap Flat like with all the Poirot adaptations is very well made, very classy and sumptuous in look, while the music is of the usual hauntingly beautiful standard. David Suchet is impeccable as Poirot, while Hugh Fraser, Phillip Jackson and Pauline Moran play their parts perfectly also. Jennifer Landor plays her femme fatale role with conviction also, and Samantha Bond and John Michie are effective in smaller roles. Overall, well-made and clever mystery, a must-catch. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Funny.

[rmax304823 · 7/10 · 10 May 2014]

After the opening credits with its broop-de-broop saxophone and its futuristic streamlined railraod train, this begins a bit sluggishly. At a soirée, Poirot and Hastings learn that their hosts, an innocent couple, the Robinsons, pay far less for their elaborate flat than any of their neighbors do. It's quite a place, too, oozing art moderne. Why is the landlady letting them have it for so little?

I don't think I want to give away the plot, but is has something to do with a glamorous American femme fatale traveling under the name of Robinson too. She's a thief who has stolen a naval treaty from the U.S. government and killed the besotten clerk who provided her with it. Unfortunately, the clerk had Mafia connections and an assassin is on Mrs. Robinson's trail. She is now subletting the flat to the guileless young Robinsons, hoping the pursuer will make a mistake and murder the wrong party for revenge. Something like that, anyway.

If it reminds you of one or two (or three) Sherlock Holmes stories about stolen treaties and so forth, that's all right. It's an innovative story that seems as if Dame Agatha might have flung the whole thing together after a good dose of psilocybin and had amazing fun doing it. Even the camera shoots from some weird angles, such as overhead. The overall effect must be comic because I laughed out loud a few times. (I hope that's what they were looking for.)

Poirot himself may be charming, sometimes too much so, and Japp's sourness is good for a grin, but this episode begins with Poirot and the others watching an American gangster film ("G-Men") followed by the introduction to an FBI man from Chicago, trying to recover the stolen American naval plans.

He's played by the beefy, balding William Hootkins who reproduces Jimmy Cagney's criminal lingo only louder. He takes over Japp's office and struts around shouting orders. Worse, he calls everyone by their first names. When Poirot questions him about the Mafia, Hootkins explodes into an ictal seizure while emphasizing that there is no such thing as the Mafia. "Oh, sure, there are some families -- mostly of Southern European extraction -- who push each other around but there is no MAFIA, and no organized crime in America!" The first thing he does when they enter a suspect's room is pull out his pistol, which Japp promptly relieves him of. "Oh, great, now the good guys have no heaters." There's a chapter in "Ulysses" in which Joyce assigns all these ridiculous name to fictional characters of different nationalities. "Miss O Mimosa San", "Rahat Lokoom Effendi," and so on. The American's name is "Hiram Y. Bomboost." It would fit Hootkins character like a well-tailored suit.

It's all rather different from most of the other episodes. I got a kick out of it.

Poirot vs el mafioso

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 27 August 2016]

Poirot and Hastings take on a baffling case, involving a smart young couple and a surprisingly cheap flat, while Japp battles the FBI on his own doorstep.

The usual quality shines through the episode, the cast, the production values, the script etc, everything about it feels high quality, apart from the horrific set used for America, which appears like a GCSE project in the background.

An episode with a definite degree of humour, where Americans are once again drawn as brash and overbearing, the quaintness of England being attacked not just by the Italian Mafia, but by the brutish Americans, the opening sequences which see Poirot horrified by a gangster movie set the tone. His face is very amusing, as is Japp's when his nose is put out of joint by his American counterpart.

It's very different, a fairly complex story is handled in a very light and somehow rewarding manner, it will have you enthralled and chuckling, a definite success 9/10

Poirot takes on the Mafia

[grantss · 8/10 · 2 August 2016]

Poirot is intrigued when acquaintances of his, James and Stella Robinson, tell him of the incredible bargain they got in renting a flat. Other applicants were turned away almost instantaneously but they managed to get the flat. Out of sheer curiosity, Poirot is determined to find out why they managed to get the flat, and why it's so cheap. Meanwhile, Poirot and Hastings are assisting Chief Inspector Japp with a case involving a fugitive American woman who has the plans for the US's latest submarine and is trying to sell them to the Italian government. Also involved is Agent Burt of the FBI, a man to whom Poirot takes an instant dislike.

Interesting and intriguing. Of course the two stories are connected but it is impossible to say why. Part of the puzzle regarding the flat is given away at the beginning but it is difficult to fathom how it fits in.

Some good old British-American banter and comparisons too, especially when it comes to crime fighting and law enforcement.

Poirot and the Mob

[lawrenceconwayvulcan · 10/10 · 7 February 2017]

When a young couple move into a reasonable yet cheap flat they do not realise that they have become unwitting pawns in a case of clock and dagger. However fortune is on their side as they are friends of Captain Hastings and when he hears about the weird events going on near their flat he tells Poirot who is intrigued. Added to this is the presence of the FBI on the trail of stolen Navel plans. The Adventure of the Cheap Flat may not be one of the grand mysteries like Murder on the Orient Express or Death on the Nile but it is an engrossing tale as Poirot uncovers Mafia involvement with the stolen plans. The guest stars include Samantha Bond before she became Miss Moneypenny as one half of the couple and William Hootkins as the FBI agent in control who denies the existence of the Mafia. One of the best of the early episodes of the show.

"May I introduce Hercule Poirot, the private detective, and his associate Captain Hastings."

[bensonmum2 · 5/10 · 26 July 2015]

Poirot and Hastings meet a young couple who have been able to secure a large, nice flat at a fraction of the market price. Poirot (for whatever reason) sees something sinister in this situation and feels it deserves his attention. Soon, he's up to his elbows in burglars, spies, and FBI agents.

I'm shocked to see all the positive reviews, as I'm not much of a fan of this episode. To me, the problem with The Adventure of the Cheap Flat is there isn't really much of a mystery. It's too straightforward and could have been handled by the regular police - no need to get Poirot involved. Sure, Poirot knew something was up with the cheap flat long before anyone else, but he was just guessing. There wasn't any real reason for his suspicions. As for the FBI's involvement, Agent Burt is more of a caricature than Poirot and not particularly enjoyable. Finally, as I've pointed out before when writing about Charlie Chan, I much prefer murder related stories to spy related stories. It's just a personal preference of mine. There are some good points: sets, costumes, most of the acting, and some of the set-pieces, but on the whole, I can't call The Adventure of the Cheap Flat anything other than average.

Some mix-ups with episode directors and Finnish DVD boxes!

[j-joutsi · 9/10 · 1 August 2008]

The director of this episode (2/7 - 1990) was RICHARD SPENCE - not mentioned in your normal IMDb section. Mr. Spence directed also episode season 2 # 6 (1990) "Double Sin". Other mix-ups also with directors Edward Bennett and Andrew Grieve. Episode 1/8 "Incredible Theft" - IMDb mentions Grieve, but episode credits mention Bennett. Episode 2/2 "The Veiled Lady" - IMDb mentions now Bennett, but episode credits mention Grieve. I guess there are no actors, who have had parts in different episodes playing different characters? I have bought by now 6 DVD boxes of 'Poirot'-serie. The boxes are titled here in Finland as 'Season 1', 'Season 2' ... 'Season 6'. Actually the featured episodes are NOT at all from the mentioned seasons. These 6 DVD boxes contain all 10 episodes from REAL season one (1989) and all episodes from REAL season two (1990). But only three episodes of all 11 episodes from season three (1990-91) -- NOTHING from seasons 4, 5 6 and 8. Both episodes from season 2000 (7) and all eight episodes from seasons 9 & 10 (2003-04 and 2005-06)are featured, however.. Complicated, uh?

Cheap flat

[safenoe · 8/10 · 2 May 2024]

I'm enjoying very much finally catching up on many of the Poirot episodes that I've missed over the years, and anyway, The Adventure of the Cheap Flat debuted nearly 35 years ago, so wow, so long ago, yet I enjoyed it, seeing a pre-Bond Samantha Bond (who ironically played Miss Moneypenny in some of the 007 movies). Jenifer Landor also appears, and she has a resemblance to the Australian actress Peta Toppano. Anyway, The Adventure of the Cheap Flat sees Poirot make his way through a cubby hole to the cheap flat in question, and that was quite an amusing site init. If Poirot is ever rebooted, I nominate acclaimed British actor Danny Dyer to play the Belgian detective.

The Adventure of the Cheap Flat

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 13 November 2017]

Hastings, Poirot and Japp go to the movies, seeing gangster films. Poirot is not impressed by solving crime US style with guns.

It just so happens a FBI detective has taken over Inspector Japp's office at Scotland Yard as he is on the trail of some stolen submarine plans from the US Navy. They have come across a man outside the Italian Embassy in London who appears to be familiar to Poirot.

The crux of the matter is that a young couple, the Robinsons have managed to rent a cheap flat that has been available to rent for some weeks which they brag about in a dinner party that Poirot has attended. Poirot thinks that the Robinsons are in danger.

This is an espionage tale but I did not think it hangs together well. A femme fatale who lured a young clerk in the navy and then double crossed the mafia.

Of course it was ironic to see Samantha Bond play Mrs Robinson who would go on to play Miss Moneypenny in the Pierce Brosnan Bond films. Also keep a look out for a scrubbed up Gordon Wharmby, better known as Wesley the car mechanic in The Last of the Summer Wine.

Condescending as hell toward the US.

[prine012478-1 · 1/10 · 6 September 2021]

Poor impression of Americans seem to be a common theme. No guns and only the British have brains. Good thing bad people in England are never violent or use fire arms.

Disgusting.

BIG FAT FBI AGENT?

[CCKEITHA · 5/10 · 15 February 2021]

Why in the world cast that big fat man as an FBI agent? Wouldn't happen.