Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Murder at the Gallop:

In 1963 George Pollock once again brought his interpretation of Miss Marple to the big screen in the second of a quartet of films (the others were; Murder, She Said-1962, Murder Most Foul-1964, and Murder Ahoy-1964) based off of Agatha Christie’s famous sleuth. Murder at the Gallop was based on the 1953 Hercule Poirot mystery called “After the Funeral” (a.k.a. in U.S. Funerals Are Fatal and in U.K. Murder at the Gallop). This is also the second to last film in the series to actually be based on one of Christie’s books. Murder Ahoy, the final film in the series used the Marple character, but was an original screenplay written by David Pursall and Jack Seddon.

Interestingly enough Rutherford initially was leery of taking on the role of Miss Marple in the series. This, apparently, was due to her distaste for violence in films. Dame Agatha strongly felt that Rutherford was miscast as her popular sleuth. In fact none of the actresses who had played Marple until Christie’s death in 1976, really met with Dame Agatha’s approval. (Not an unusual reaction for writers in seeing their characters brought to life in films.) Christie, however, did admire Rutherford greatly and even became friends with her. In her book of 1962, “Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side”, she made the dedication out to Rutherford. Agatha Christie fans may want to visit Agatha Christie’s official web site at URL: www.agathachristie.com.. Here you will find a wealth of information on her books and life, and on her many films.

Despite any reservations on the part of either of the women… audiences took to Rutherford immediately. Her performance delighted film goers with its quirkiness, and charm. Many felt that Margaret Rutherford bore a strong resemblance to public perception of Dame Agatha Christie. In any case, the audiences were not let down when Murder at the Gallop released as the successor to Murder, She Said. By the time filming began Pollock, and his cast, were on course for another memorable success.

Synopsis:

Miss Marple is out collecting for charity with her friend Mr. Stringer when she decides to try for a donation at the house of the local recluse and miser named Enderby. Upon entering the property Mr. Enderby promptly collapses down the stairs and lies dead at their feet. Hearing a strange noise Miss Marple searches the house and makes a startling finding…a cat in the closet of a man who was deathly afraid of them? Was it an accident… or could someone have put the animal in the house in order to scare him to death?

When Miss Marple broaches her theory to Inspector Craddock he tells her that it was a death of natural causes as far as the police are concerned. Marple, outraged that the police could be letting a murderer go free, immediately sets out on the hunt for clues. Using the village gossips for information, Marple follows a trail that eventually leads her to the Gallop Hotel owned by Enderby’s nephew. In this vacation spot for horse lovers Marple discovers four members of the family with reasons for murder and enough bodies to worry even the unflappable Craddock.

Review:

It is the cast that really makes this film shine. Margaret Rutherford is brilliant, as usual, as Miss Marple. Charles Tingwell as Craddock and Stringer Davis (Rutherford’s husband) as Jim Stringer are also in rare form. This film really shows the strong chemistry and sense of timing between the three of them. As usual some of the best scenes are between Tingwell and Rutherford. In the scene where Marple is trying to convince Craddock to investigate the Enderby death, Tingwell gives not only the impression of a man humoring her, but a man who is in danger of losing his patience. Rutherford, on the other hand, refuses to give in and tries to draw his attention to the fact that the case strongly resembles “Agatha Christie’s remarkable novel, ‘The Ninth Life’” When Craddock disavows any knowledge of the work she adds that “Agatha Christie should be compulsory reading for the police force.”

Also standing out in the cast is Robert Morley as the pompous, horse mad nephew, Hector Enderby. Morley, (Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? – 1978, and The Great Muppet Caper - 1981) gives his usual superb performance in this role. In fact, Morley is no stranger to either the British or American film world. Although, his original vocational choice was to go into the diplomatic corps, Morley switched to acting and received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his Hollywood debut film Marie Antoinette -1938. This was nine years after he made his acting debut on the London stage. He was also a playwright and the television commercial spokesman for British Airways.

In the character of Hector, Morley is doing exactly what he does best. At one moment he is putting out all his charm for Miss Marple…but as soon as someone else irritates him he starts snapping out rebukes. When Inspector Craddock is interviewing the suspects, he parks his police car at the front door of the hotel with the light flashing (incidentally the police car is one of the old black ones that used to be called “black Mariah’s.”) Hector follows him as he is leaving and chastises him for parking there. He feels that it would disturb his guests and tells the inspector that the next time he comes it would do well for him to come “incognito”.

In another scene the stable master John Hillman (…yet another servant named Hillman. For the other Hillman see the film Murder, She Said.), played by Duncan Lamont, tries to protect his boss by warning Miss Marple to stop snooping about the stable. Hector overhears part of the conversation and misunderstands his employee’s intentions. He takes Hillman to task for “speaking to a lady” in such a way. Lamont (well remembered by fans of swashbucklers for Quentin Durward – 1955) deserves kudos for his portrayal. Watch his face during his scenes. In this one the look he has is such a mix of astonishment, injury, and sulkiness that you feel rather sorry for him.

Other performers of note are Flora Robinson (Those Magnificent Young Men and Their Flying Machines-1965) as the timid Miss Milchrist, Katya Douglas (Day of the Triffids – 1963) as the demanding Rosamund Shane, and James Villiers (who may be recognized from the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only-1981) as Rosamund’s trophy husband. The small part of Dr. Markwell is played by Kevin Stoney who appeared in a few episodes of the Doctor Who series (Dalek Masterplan – 1966, Invasion – 1968, and Revenge of the Cybermen – 1975). Another interesting note is that he also appeared in the 1965 film The Alphabet Murders with Robert Morley. The Alphabet Murders was a Hercule Poirot movie starring Tony Randall. In it Margaret Rutherford makes an unbilled appearance as Miss Marple. Also in the cast was Alison Seebohm, who plays a role in the next film in the Marple series…Murder Most Foul.

There are many truly great scenes in this film. In one of them Miss Marple is trying to ring the police in order to report a murder. She ends up having to deal with a party line with a caller that doesn’t really want to get off of the phone. She ends up arguing with the gentleman and in the end says “Indeed, I have a crime to report…murder…murder most foul.” (Could this be a plug for the next film?) Another scene is one where she runs into Miss Milchrist who believes that Miss Marple may have committed one of the murders. Noticing Milchrist’s rather stiff manner toward her Miss Marple says, “Don’t look so frightened, my dear. I’ve done my quota of murders for today.”

Easily, one of the funniest scenes in the film has Marple and Stringer dancing to a rather bouncy piece of sixties style music at the hunt’s ball. Craddock stands on the sidelines with a look of amusement while other dancers look bemused at the “odd” couple who certainly don’t match the youthful dancers around them. It isn’t only the extras who are doing the smiling either. Two of the suspects, Rosamund and Michael Shane, are amid the throng and appear to be just as enchanted at the sight before them in this uniquely magical scene. Moments like these in the film are priceless and show not only the wonderfully detailed eye of the filmmakers, but the dedication of Rutherford and Davis to their craft. They don’t look at all uncomfortable while dancing…in fact they just look like they’re having a lot of fun.

Conclusion:

This second Miss Marple adventure following on the success of Murder She Said, witnesses Rutherford’s portrayal in full bloom. She is clearly more comfortable, confident, and in control of her character – or it may be the other way around! This film exposes the viewer to a rare glimpse of English life, set amongst the rural countryside, picturesque Tudor buildings, and animated with that most enduring symbol of the landed gentry… horses. It’s a quieter time, and takes the viewer into a world thrown into turmoil by a series of suspicious deaths.

The negatives of this film are its monaural sound and lack of color, which enhance the mood of its period setting. This film is a little more stimulating for younger viewers than the first Miss Marple film. However, it is considerably less than most modern productions. This is a film for winter evenings, curled up on the favorite couch with your furry, four legged feline friend – assuming it will sit still long enough!

Dedicated to: Miss Elizabeth Thorn (c1900-1976), who could have been Margaret Rutherford’s twin, and lived life to full as foreign correspondent to several British newspapers in the 1930’s.

As always, thanks to the wife for helping with the finer details that would have other wise been lost.



Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8