Poirot (TV Series) The Veiled Lady (1990) User Reviews

Poirot the burglar

[gridoon · 7/10 · 10 December 2007]

A high society lady turns to Hercule Poirot for help: a secret love letter she had written in the past has fallen into the hands of a blackmailer, who now wants 20 thousand pounds to give it back to her. When that man goes to Paris for a few days, Poirot and Hastings decide on a bold course of action: they will break into his apartment and look for the letter themselves!

This is a somewhat atypical entry in the Poirot series: for the most part it appears to be a straightforward blackmail story, and Poirot does more snooping around than sleuthing. But of course there is a twist in the tale - and a quite clever one at that. There are also some pretty funny moments in this episode - when Inspector Japp finds Poirot locked in a cell, he says to a younger officer: "Nobody knows his real name, but they call him "Mad Dog"". The climax takes place inside London's Natural History Museum. (***)

"The criminals, they fear Hercule Poirot so much that they have repented of their naughty ways and have become citizens of the most upright."

[bensonmum2 · 8/10 · 21 July 2015]

Lady Millicent is a woman in distress with the tale of a letter. It's a letter she wrote at a much younger age that could prove embarrassing. A man named Lavington has the letter and is blackmailing Lady Millicent for more than she can possible pay. He informs Poirot that when he returns from Paris, he expects his money or else. Poirot formulates a plan. Realizing Lavington will be out of the country, the world famous detection, Hercules Poirot, will take a stab at becoming a world famous burglar.

The Veiled Lady is a most unusual episode. While you can easily find humor in almost any Poirot episode, The Veiled Lady is played more for laughs than any episode I've seen. In the role of a burglar, Suchet is fantastic. His disguise as a humble Swiss locksmith is the best. And watching he and Hastings in full burgle-mode actually had me chuckling to myself. Very funny stuff! The writing and direction in The Veiled Lady are as good as you'll find in any of the Poirot episodes. The twist near the finale was very nice - even if I did see part of it coming. It's a very enjoyable episode that I can easily rate at least an 8/10.

One more thing I need to mention - I don't think I can remember a Poirot episode where I enjoyed the music as much as I did in The Veiled Lady. As an example, the music that plays as Lady Millicent relays her story to Poirot hit just the right note with me. That particular piece of music perfectly fit the distraught Lady Millicent.

Hercule Poirot, second story man

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 4 February 2014]

"The Veiled Lady" is a very intriguing Hercule Poirot mystery from 1990.

A beautiful young woman asks Poirot to retrieve letters for which she is being blackmailed. The blackmailer comes to Poirot's office by invitation. Poirot attempts to negotiate with him, but the man only comes down a few thousand pounds. It's futile. He mentions that he will contact Poirot when he returns from Paris. Poirot decides to burgle his house and find the letters.

Wearing a cap, he presents himself to the housekeeper as an electrician and proceeds to begin searching. The housekeeper is very uppity and talks his ear off, stating that she is not live-in. Poirot leaves, informing her he will be back tomorrow.

That night, he and Hastings break into the house. Poirot finds the letters in a Chinese box inserted in a log. Turns out, the housekeeper was lying -- she says she knew he was casing the joint -- Hastings panics and takes off, throwing himself out a closed window. It was hilarious. Poirot spends the night in the slammer, Japp pointing out to a junior office that this particular prisoner is especially dangerous and called "Mad Dog."

It unfolds from there. It has a neat twist and it's filled with humor. Loved the ending. One of the livelier episodes. Poirot is finally released

Poirot gets thrown in jail

[kaberi-893-642316 · 9/10 · 16 September 2015]

This is one of those episodes where the extra scenes written for television are genius. By far the best of them is a scene only alluded to in the original story. Poirot and Hastings meet with a lady who says that a blackmailer has gotten hold of an indiscreet letter that she wrote to a young man years ago, and is threatening to show it to her new fiancé. Poirot finds out that that the blackmailer is going to be out of town, so he finds his address and plans to break into his house to search for the letter. In preparation for the break in, he goes to the house during the day and talks with the housekeeper. Claiming to be a locksmith, he is permitted to "refit" one of the windows with a special burglar-proof lock. Carole Hayman does an excellent job as the suspicious housekeeper; when she asks Poirot about his accent, Poirot throws out a hint: "Madame, what is the country that is full of mountains and is divided into cantons?" The housekeeper considers for a moment and then says skeptically, "You're never Chinese?" Classic.

That night, Poirot and Hastings take advantage of the modified window to break into the house. They find the letter, but just as they are leaving, they discover that the housekeeper has heard movement and gone to fetch a policeman (Hayman has another great scene here accusing Poirot of burglary.) Hastings gets away but Poirot is arrested and put in jail overnight. Hastings calls Japp, who shows up at the jail in the morning to vouch for his friend. One of the greatest lines of the episode: Japp and a constable are peering at Poirot through a small opening of the cell door. The constable asks Japp what the prisoner's name is. Japp says dryly, "No one knows his real name, but everyone calls him Mad Dog." Genius.

Towards the end, there's a scene where Poirot has confronted the criminals with the crime and they're trying to make a getaway. Most of these escape scenes lack interest for me, because they're just a way of padding the original materials and making it a bit more exciting for the viewer, but this scene is rather above average, because it takes place at what appears to be the British Museum. The criminals find a room with a lot of stuffed animals covered in dropcloths, and take refuge under one of them. The sight of Japp pulling a series of cloths like a magician, only to meet the glassy eyed stare of a giraffe or an orangutan, is very well done. Overall, a clever and funny episode.

A cracker of an episode

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 30 May 2015]

I'm surprised to see this episode languishing at the foot of the table (Poirot rankings IMDb,) for me this is one of the best short story adaptations, mainly because this is where for me (and i'm sure many others) the Frances Barber idolising started, when she meets Poirot and drops that veil she is so beautiful, and gives a wonderful performance in this episode, bouncing brilliantly off all the cast. There's a good amount of humour in this one, Poirot, Japp and the housekeeper deliver some great lines. It's not the most in depth episode I guess, but it is all perfectly delivered, how nice it would have been for it to be longer, I can't resist watching this one over and over, it is brilliant!!

The Criminal classes take advantage of Poirot's genius.

[revans-58368 · 7/10 · 3 October 2015]

A large jewel robbery occurs, and the jewels are quickly passed on. Poirot meets Lady Millicent, a beautiful veiled lady, who is being blackmailed by a man called Lavington. She employs Poirot to search for some indiscreet letters that in the hands of Lavington. It's not the best entry in the series, but it does have some really brilliant parts, the initial meeting between Poirot and Lady Millicent, she appears so delicate and fragile, a huge contrast to Gerty. The museum looks fabulous for the finale, it's so fitting. I love the part when Poirot breaks into Lavington's house and his arrest, 'Mad Dog' has to be the best part of the episode. 7/10

Top-notch!

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 6 May 2012]

As a fan of the series, I have always considered The Veiled Lady one of the better short-story adaptations. It is a little too short, only by about three or four minutes, but so much compensates. Once again, it is wonderfully made with an evocative atmosphere and everything on screen looking splendid, and the music is hauntingly beautiful. The story is clever and always compelling, I did like that Poirot does a lot of snooping around in this one and the climax in the museum is both thrilling and tense. The writing again is intelligent and thought-provoking, alongside the funny moments(Japp's "Nobody knows his real name, but they call him "Mad Dog"" is another addition to the already long list of funny moments in the Poirot series). The acting I also can't fault, David Suchet is as ever impeccable, and Hugh Fraser, Phillip Jackson and Pauline Moran match him perfectly and their chemistry's a joy. Frances Barber has only been more lovely in the Inspector Morse episode Death of the Self in my opinion. Overall, a top-notch episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox

perplexing

[francyndra · 30 March 2006]

A top-notch Poirot episode; although short, the plot is well thought-out and brilliantly delivered by engaging Poirot and dear Captain Hastings. The Belgian detective and his "associate" Hastings meet a veiled woman in a luxury hotel (which looks to my eyes like the disguised interior of the V&A!), who sorrowfully says that she is being blackmailed by a "dirty swine", as Hastings angrily puts it, who wants money in return for an indiscreet letter of hers that has fallen into his possession. Exciting and vivid, with a clever twist. I would recommend this episode to all who love Poirot mysteries, or mysteries in general. I also have reason to believe that the director has kept to the plot, hurrah!

Tom Foolery.

[rmax304823 · 7/10 · 19 May 2014]

This one has more whimsy, humor, and a simpler plot. I liked it for those reasons. Those and the fact that the climax was shot in the Museum of Natural History and the exhibits were put to playful use.

A lady claiming to have a title comes to Poirot and begs him to retrieve an incriminating letter from a blackmailer. The letter is hidden in a small Chinese box. Poirot dons the garb of a burglar and he and Hastings manage to find the thing, but the matter isn't resolved until Poirot is caught by the coppers and spends the night in jail.

I don't think there's too much point in going into more detail about the plot. The cast is small, the motives pure, and the lies almost transparent, thanks to the performances.

Fiachra Trench -- where do they get these names? -- Fiachra Trench composed the incidental music. He (or she) must have been listening to Mendelssohn's violin concerto. If you enjoyed the musical score, you can find the violin concerto in E minor on YouTube.

Hercule Poirot, cat burglar

[grantss · 8/10 · 30 July 2016]

Hercule Poirot is approached by a woman in a veil, seeking his help. She is Lady Millicent and she is being blackmailed by a Mr Lavington over a love letter she wrote as a 16-year-old. After confronting Mr Lavington and achieving nothing, Poirot resolves to break into Mr Lavington's house and steal the letter. He and Hastings break in, but Poirot is caught (and Hastings escapes). When Japp finds Poirot in jail, he mentions that Lavington was murdered several days earlier. In a seemingly unrelated case, the police are on the lookout for jewels that were stolen from a high street jeweller.

Quite intriguing and engaging. Some aspects of the plot are quite obvious (eg that there is a link between the Lady Millicent- Lavington case and the jewel theft - no information in Poirot episodes is extraneous). Still, the overall plot is not that obvious and thus a good puzzle.

Some nice sub-plots and banter too.

A lively episode

[appusnikhil · 7/10 · 2 October 2023]

A nice and lively episode with a clean twist at the end. I liked the story and the creators have placed the characters neatly throughout the episode. Every character gave their best and in the end, we received a good episode.

The production was fine and there were a few easily noticeable gaffs but that was totally alright. David Suchet was exuberant as usual. In this story, Hastings also has an important role. Detective Japp was also seen busy throughout the episode.

This episode was released in 1990 but the aura of the episode never fades away. I would recommend everyone to watch this episode. Thanks!

Lots of unique things for Poirot in this engaging mystery with shots of humor

[SimonJack · 9/10 · 4 June 2019]

Hercule Poirot is surrounded by his usual coterie in this second season mystery film of the British series of Agatha Christie's Belgian detective that stars David Suchet. Jewelry theft and blackmail are the subjects of this film that is set in and around London.

"The Veiled Lady" has a couple of unique aspects which are not secret in the promotion of the film. The first is that Poirot considers how much more exciting it might be had he been the world's greatest criminal instead of the world's greatest detective. So, to handle the next case he gets, he uses a disguise as a locksmith to gain entry to a home. And, for another, he spends a night in jail after being caught breaking into that home later that night - as a burglar.

True to Christie form and cleverness, this film has some excellent twists that one doesn't recognize for what they are until the end when Poirot makes everything clear. I did note though, some points toward the end that referred back to early clues that immediately came to mind. But not that they were clues at all for this case. And that may be one of the very clever techniques that Christie uses. Some critics have said that she doesn't divulge all the clues in her stories to the readers and viewers - that Poirot springs them on audiences after he has solved the case.

This film has a couple of very clear examples that disprove that criticism and also alert one to the Christie technique. So, from now on, I will watch more assiduously for clues in anything and everything that takes place and is shown even before there is a case and that just seems to be filler in the story without anything to do with the case.

Those who haven't yet watched this film may want to watch for early things that have nothing to do with a case that Poirot has not yet taken on. And, those who have seen this film already, may want to pay special attention on the next viewing for the same things. They really do jump out when one knows the final conclusion.

This film is a fascinating one with some very good and different characters. And it is peppered with some short shots of humor, including some of Poirot's tongue-in-cheek with Hastings that had me laughing heartily.

My favorite line in the film comes from Captain Hastings. When he and Poirot were caught as burglars, Hastings got away by jumping through a glass door. The next morning, after his release from jail, a haggard looking Poirot comes into his flat where Hastings is reading a newspaper. Poirot is irate and says "Good morning" to Hastings, who is unflappable at Poirot's scorn for his getting away. Hastings says, "If I hadn't managed to escape and got Japp to bail you out, you would've been up before the Wimbledon beat this morning - house-breaking at the very least"

Here are some more favorite lines.

Hercule Poirot, "Hastings, what a cracksman was lost when Hercule Poirot decided to become the world's greatest detective."

Captain Hastings, "Dirty swine! I beg your pardon."

Captain Hastings, "What a stunning girl, though." Hercule Poirot, "I sometimes think, mon ami, that you are too easily stunned."

Hercule Poirot, "They fear me, Hastings. The criminals - they fear Hercule Poirot so much that they have repented of their naughty ways and have become citizens of the most upright." Captain Hastings, 'Oh, rubbish, Poirot."

Hercule Poirot, "You know, Hastings, sometimes I wish that I was not of such a moral disposition." Captain Hastings, "Really?" Poirot, "Would not Hercule Poirot do better than any criminal? Hercule Poirot would use his grey cells, huh. Hercule Poirot would change his modus operandi for every crime. Scotland Yard would never be able to pin me down. Ah, Hastings, Hastings. To work against the law for a change. I think it would be quite pleasing. Imagine it -- every morning a new crime, huh. Every morning, Inspector Japp tearing his hair. And on every street corner, the cries of the newspaper sellers, 'Read all about it - Monsieur Big reveals everything.'"

Captain Hastings, "You swine!" Hercule Poirot, "Hastings, please." Lavington, "I say, what an excitable office boy you have."

Hercule Poirot, "Why did you wish to know where Monsieur Lavington lived, Hastings?" Captain Hastings, 'I don't know. He was so beastly, the way he talked about Lady Millicent. I wanted to kick him down the stairs." Poirot," You wanted to do it in the comfort of his own home, yes?"

The Veiled Lady

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 1 October 2017]

The episode has location shooting in Burlington Arcade and the Natural History Museum and is more humorous than usual but I found the climax just a little bit off but until then it went along nicely but with a few misgivings.

Poirot is consulted by the beautiful and veiled Lady Millicent who is being blackmailed by a man called Lavington for some letters she wrote in her youth which have come back to haunt her.

Poirot meets Lavington who makes an exorbitant demand for money but also lets slip that he will be out of the country. This allows Poirot to turn cat burglar in order to retrieve the offending item.

Although it is novel to see Poirot turn thief the audience can guess the story has a few more twists and I just did not buy how Poirot managed to find the trinket box so easily and was so sure that Lavington did not take it abroad with him given the value to him.

Different and hilarious

[OrchardLeaves · 8/10 · 30 January 2021]

This was quite different to most Poirot stories as he resorts to burglary to help the damsel in distress and his little grey cells don't really whir into action until late in the episode.

I found it quite funny with Poirot and Hastings running down the street in camouflage to get to the house, reminded me of an episode of Only Fools and Horses when Del and Rodney run along the road dressed up as Batman and Robin, both had tall and thin and short slightly dumpy characters.

Lots of other comedic situations and Poirot for once being mistaken as a foreigner from a country other than France.

I think Suchet must have had fun making this as well.

So much more fun than the later series, which became quite sombre. Maybe a little too frivolous for some.

The Mad Dog and the Blackmailer

[profh-1 · 10/10 · 10 July 2020]

One of my favorite POIROTs, especially for the part where Poirot decides to try burlary to solve a case and gets nabbed by the police as a result. "No one knows his real name, but he's called MAD DOG." Hilarious.

And that line really stuck in my head earlier this week, when I was watching something else. A point no other reviewer has mentioned is that-- apparently-- this story was yet another instance of Agatha Christe paying tribute to Arthur Conan Doyle. The story in point: "CHARLES AUGUSTUS MILVERTON".

A woman about to be married is being blackmailed because of a spritely letter she sent to a former lover, and after attempts to haggle and take the letter by force, Holmes & Watson BREAK into his house to STEAL it. Holmes muses what a criminal he would have made, The parallels are unmistakable!

Of course... there's more differences than similarities... but it seems clear to me Christie decided to use Doyle's story as a starting point, from which to then craft her own VERY different variation on it. (See the 1965 Douglas Wilmer version with Barry Jones as Milverton. The Jeremy Brett version, stretched horribly out to 2 hours, is unwatchable.)

A highlight in the series, acted and directed with a splendidly light touch.

[jamesraeburn2003 · 10/10 · 22 August 2023]

Hercule Poirot is frustrated at not having had a case for a long time conceding that the criminal underworld are behaving themselves. However, Chief Inspector Japp (played by Philip Jackson) tells him about a raid on a jewellery shop in the Burlington Arcade where the thief was apprehended by members of public. But, it became clear that the thief had passed on the jewels to a confederate who could have only been one of the 'good citizens' who detained him since the gems found on the man's possession at the police station were fake. Poirot is then approached by Lady Millicent (played by Frances Barber) who asks him to retrieve a compromising letter from a man called Lavington (played by Terence Harvey) who is blackmailing her. Poirot, accompanied by Captain Hastings (played by Hugh Fraser), breaks into Lavington's home in Wimbledon and retrieves a trinket box with a complicated opening mechanism, which was cleverly concealed in a log in the fireplace. However, the box contains something far more valuable in one of its secret compartments and Poirot goes on to uncover the truth behind the Burlington Arcade robbery in which a criminal gang is exposed along with a case of blackmail that lead to murder. But is Lady Millicent as lovely and vulnerable as she appears to be? And who is Lavington?

The Veiled Lady is a highlight in this well-loved series acted and directed with a splendidly light touch by the cast and Edward Bennett. The chemistry between David Suchet as Poirot and his regular co-stars Philip Jackson and Hugh Fraser as the Yard man and Captain Hastings is still there and is a joy to watch. In this case, Poirot dons a disguise as a Swiss locksmith to 'case the joint' as he prepares to break into the blackmailer's house. However, the resident housekeeper (charmingly played by Carole Hayman) isn't deceived by him and calls the police as he and Hastings embark on their subterfuge. Hastings escapes by jumping through a window whilst Poirot is arrested and spends the night in the cells. Hastings alerts Japp who goes along to the station to get Poirot out and he jokes with the custody sergeant that his friend is a notorious criminal known as 'Mad Dog'. There is an amusing showdown between Poirot, the Yard and the crooks in a museum at the finale. Pauline Moran is also here as Poirot's secretary, Miss Lemon, but she doesn't have much to do here, although with what she has to do she does magnificently. The rest of the cast including Frances Barber and Terence Harvey all act their parts with distinction. As ever, the feeling for the 1930's period is strong and all the technical aspects are up to the series' usual high standards.

Trivia

[kiwes8 · 9/10 · 13 June 2021]

The closing credits of this episode (The veiled lady S2 E2) are those of The kidnapped Prime Minister (S2 E8). The supporting actors' names aren't there 🙃

Finding it

[crescentcanada · 21 March 2009]

This is the first episode where I have seen something I don't like

Plot was good....the twist was very good. Of course, there was the humor too. But what I didn't like about this particular episode is......

the fact that Poirot was able to find the Chinese box in...what was it...an hour, couple of hours.

I don't think ANYONE can find ANYTHING (that small) which is hidden so carefully even if they spend an entire day. It could be anywhere...really!!

Let me hear you guys say...

An homage to Sherlock Holmes

[gilliegillie-23256 · 10/10 · 29 January 2024]

This delightful episode is a delicate tribute a Sherlock Holmes Story, Charles Augustus Milverton?

Holmes has to rescue love letters written by a young lady before her wedding, in her youth. " Sprightly Watson, nothing more ." Pleading with the blackmailer does not work, so Holmes infiltrates himself into the household, as " Escott, a rising plumber ,by trade" .He becomes engaged to the housemaid, "Lawd, Watson , those talks" .Later Hoolmes ans Watson in Opera clothes + black silk scarves( a hat tip to Raffles? ) Written by E W Hornung,whom Conan Doyle knew well, break in,retrieve the letters + Milverton is murdered in front of them. Pursued by the Polis they escape Hampsted Heath.

Holmes had frequently commentated , that he would have been a Great Criminal.

The next day Inspector Lestrade asks Holmes to help solve the murder,which he refuses to do. They laugh at the description of the escaping 2 men, one with a limp, and a comment is made that it could easily be a description of Holmes and Watson.

Conan Doyle was still writing Holmes stories until 1922, his last bow, and a small piece , "How Watson learned the Trick" for the Queen's Doll House in 1924.

Christie 's writing career over with Doyle 's and it is a joy to see how she reflects ans complements fellow authors in the Golden Age of Dectection, as well as weaving real life events into her novels.

This episode is a perfect continuation to that tradition, and it was made not long after the Granada Production of the Sherlock Holmes Stories and novels had been broadcast, for many ,the definitive Television series in its contemporaneous form.

The BBC Sherlock had to be a modern version,to Make the stories come alive again , rather than being overwhelmed by Jeremy Brett's towering traditional performance.

I would love to know, where was that gorgeous suburban house ?

,