Miss Marple: At Bertram's Hotel (1987)

During a stay at one of London's most elegant and venerable hotels Miss Marple uncovers a sinister undercurrent of corruption and murder beneath Bertram's stuffy veneer.

Director:

Mary McMurray

Writers:

Agatha Christie (novel), Jill Hyem (screenplay)

Stars:

Joan Hickson, Caroline Blakiston, Helena Michell

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joan Hickson	...	Miss Marple
Caroline Blakiston	...	Bess Sedgwick
Helena Michell	...	Elvira Blake
James Cossins	...	Colonel Luscombe
Joan Greenwood	...	Selina Hazy
George Baker	...	Chief Inspector Fred Davy
Preston Lockwood	...	Canon Pennyfather
Irene Sutcliffe	...	Miss Gorringe
Brian McGrath	...	Michael Gorman
Neville Phillips	...	Henry
Robert Reynolds	...	Ladislaus Malinowski
Peter Baldwin	...	Mr. Humfries
Douglas Milvain	...	Sir Ronald Graves
Philip Bretherton	...	Det. Inspector Campbell
Edward Burnham	...	Dr. Whittaker

Storyline

Miss Jane Marple is staying at an elegant hotel from her childhood compliments of her nephew Raymond. Also there is international adventurer Bess Sedgwick and Lady Selena Hazy (Joan Greenwood in her next to last performance). A doorman working at the hotel turns out to be from Bess' past, and when he is killed, she is the prime suspect. But what does his murder have to do with the disappearance of an elderly vicar staying at the hotel, and a string of robberies over the last few months? Miss Marple must find out before the murderer strikes again!!!

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Plot Keywords:

hotel | miss marple | murder | doorman | robbery | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK USA Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 January 1987 (UK)

Also Known As:

Miss Marple: At Bertram's Hotel

Filming Locations:

Brown's Hotel, Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), A+E Networks, 7 Network

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Miss Marple is directed to the "television room" which is said to be "tucked well away" and that "the Americans like it" as if no proper English person would watch. In fact, the BBC is credited with the world's first regular television service with high-level image resolution, starting 2 November 1936.

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Quotes

Chief Inspector Fred Davy: You'll have to excuse me Miss Marple. I've got to go and see the chambermaid, Rose Sheldon.
Miss Jane Marple: Ah, now, you'd do well to talk to that young woman. I've trained quite a few maids in my time, but I've never seen a bob curtsey like that since the St. Mary Mead players put on a French farce.

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Connections

Followed by Miss Marple: Nemesis (1987)

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Soundtracks

Three Little Maids from School Are We
(1885) (uncredited)
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Lyrics by W.S. Gilbert
Performed by George Baker
A few bars are idly sung to himself while waiting

User Reviews

Dotty characters every one!

This movie made from Agatha Christie's novel is all about dotty characters, and not really about crime. Christie was the master at crafting characters and places. These were the essence of her novels, which placed them apart and well above more routine mystery stories.

There's Miss Marple, the epitome of the spinster lady of good manners and breeding, if a little on the inquisitive side. Always aware of what's going on around her, collecting all gossip and facts which she will use to solve the murder that baffles the police. Joan Hickson played the best Miss Marple; she was Miss Marple - all cardigans and tweed skirts.

There's Col. Luscombe the old bachelor who couldn't be more unsuited to his role as guardian of a comely girl. Clueless as to parenting, and as unfeeling as only old bachelors can be.

There's Lady Selina Hazy, a dotty old dear if there ever was one. Ever gossiping, knowing something about just every one, she's the quintessential lady who rattles on and on. See her stick to Miss Marple like gum to a shoe. And Miss Marple is gentlewoman enough to allow her.

Chief Inspector Davy is the dull, if gentlemanly copper. Played by George Baker, who's also Chief Inspector Wexford in the Ruth Rendell mysteries. Hangs about the Betram Hotel eating muffins, while undercover to investigate some robberies.

Canon Pennyfather is the old gent gone vague, the absolutely most absent minded fellow there was. Definitely bats in his belfry.

Miss Gorringe is the receptionist at the hotel, ever stuffy and condescending to the guests.

Henry is the doorman, or concierge since we are in exclusive Mayfair, London.

Ladislaus is the oily racing car driver and two-timer.

We see a fabulous cameo of an Indian waiter played by Rashid Karapiet, who had played Dr. Das in Passage to India (1984).

Don't watch this movie for the crime, or the brilliant detective work and clever solution. But do watch it if you enjoy characterizations that amuse. Do watch it if you enjoy a brilliant author at her best, expertly crafting the oddest bunch of characters to ever fill a hotel.

Compliments to the director for bringing these characters to life!