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 Television 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

Miss Jane Marple: Ah, Bertram's! It's always sad when a work of art has to be destroyed.

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Connections

Follows Miss Marple: A Pocketful of Rye (1985)

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Soundtracks

A Policeman's Lot Is Not A Happy One
(1887) (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

The best Miss Marple episode ever

At Bertram's Hotel is not just one of the best Miss Marple episodes ever. It is a nostalgic trip to the late 1950s and shows a London/Britain as many would expect. The afternoon tea served at Bertram's in the episode is exactly how it should be. The best line is when Lady Celia tells Miss Marple about getting muffins in America that were "like tea cakes with raisins in them", to which Miss Marple replies. "The Americans have a lot to answer for." One of the best and funniest Miss Marple moments ever. The episode also includes rare footage of the De Havilland Comet 4 (the improved version of the first commercial jet liner) and of the roof terrace at the former department store Derry & Toms (which still exists as an exclusive venue for wealthy Kensingtonians). Wonderful.