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deaddogsdam
  • 2 days ago
First broadcast 21st February 1985.

Poison pen letters are being sent to everyone in town. It seems like a vulgar joke until a letter is found next to a suicide victim...

Joan Hickson as Miss Marple
Michael Culver as Edward Symmington
Elizabeth Counsell as Angela Symmington
Deborah Appleby as Megan Hunter
Lucy Gleeson as Robert Symmington
Stuart Mansfield as James Symmington
Andrew Bicknell as Gerry Burton
Sabina Franklyn as Joanna Burton
Richard Pearson as Mr Pye
Hilary Mason as Emily Barton
Dilys Hamlett as Maud Calthrop
John Arnatt as Rev. Guy Calthrop
Sandra Payne as Eryl Griffith
Martin Fisk as Owen Griffith
Penelope Lee as Partridge
Juliet Waley as Beatrice
Imogen Bickford-Smith as Elsie Holland
Gerald Sim as Coroner
Geoffrey Davion as Police Superintendent Nash
Ninka Scott as Miss Ginch
Patsy Smart as Mrs Cleat
Gordon Rollings as Mr Cleat
Michael Waterman as George Ellis
Roger Ostime as Detective Inspector Crawford
Victor Maddern as P.C. Johnson
Catherine Owen as Rose
Carol Gleeson as Contralto (Mrs Dovesby)
John Keenan as Pianist

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TV
Transcript
00:00I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
00:30uh excuse me sorry to bother you we're trying to find the first the first good heavens could
00:45you be miss barton's new tenants right exciting jerry burton my sister joanne well i never maude
00:52colstrop my husband's vicar here he'd be expecting to see you in church on sunday everyone will
00:57they're all dying to meet you oh lord i suppose we disappoint them oh i'm quite sure you won't
01:02now let me tell you the furs straight through the village about half a mile turn left and there you
01:09are
01:09how very nice to see you both and welcome to the furs thank you
01:22beatrice oh thank you very much so you come along girl go get them bags out of the car
01:29i do hope you'll both be happy here i'm so fond of it well after all i've lived here all my life
01:39you get used to things don't you oh dear i can't help feeling we're driving you out
01:45oh but you mustn't it's the war taxation the cost of everything nowadays the upkeep
01:51i simply had to do something besides it will be forever now partridge is staying on to look after
01:59you she's a cook housekeeper and a treasure then there's beatrice she's the maid and all that
02:06uh not very experienced but willing a gardener cleat who comes in twice a week has a strange
02:13wife but you don't need to see much of her
02:16do forgive me mr burton but were you hurt during the war no no not a scratch actually no
02:25i was a test flight for a new jet both engines blew at 30 000 and the ejector gear malfunctioned
02:32i managed to bring her down all right but i hit the deck pretty hard pretty lucky i suppose oh
02:38yes i see he's trying to tell you miss barton that he crashed his plane good heavens i'm sorry
02:47you'll have to let owen griffith our nice doctor take care of you oh i believe the hospital's already
02:51been in touch with him good he's welsh of course but the welsh are so clever aren't they and partridge
02:58is an excellent cook she'll help you build up your strength oh no no never in this house oh i'm
03:04sorry oh no you mustn't be it's just that well smoking never occurred to me oh don't worry i'll see
03:13he has lots of ashtrays it's so silly of me it all comes of never having a man about the place
03:18the last one was my eldest sister's bone he didn't last long mother took exception to his smoking to his
03:25accent wasn't quite a gentleman she said i thought he was rather nice jolly daphne fretted but as
03:34mother told her you never know with men know what miss barton
03:40another cup of tea my dear thanks so much mr burton do forgive me if i don't offer you something
03:47stronger men prefer that don't they i remember my father did but mother took exception to that too
03:53i didn't approve it wouldn't have lied in the house poor father and poor mother but she was an invalid
04:03you see she always managed to have her own way
04:06the peace of god be with you and remain with you always
04:20good morning
04:39glad you could make it mr vicar what a simply splendid sermon did maude choose the text she must have
04:45she did not so poor wasn't it let brotherly love continue had you our newcomers in mind
04:52indeed should you encourage it not sure i know what you're getting here paul goes on to say doesn't
04:57he be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares oh how
05:03delicious somewhat mutilated the male angel perhaps but the girl she's quite a sensation would you say i trust
05:10not oh the guy i don't think you've met squadron leader burton and his sister have you no delighted
05:18to see you here thank you this is a near neighbor of yours mr pie never believe a word he tells you
05:23he spends his whole time laughing at the rest of us dear lady how unfair unkind untrue despite the
05:30malicious maude you'll come and take a sherry with me at priory lodge won't you i'd love to look at her
05:36making up to that old mr pie painted up to the eyeballs too and in church soon promise promise
05:47oh dear symington brood camis hamest away squadron leader you're on parade right miss burton you are
05:55an event sleepy old limestone's going to love you bye bye bye bye
06:01now our boys run ahead with elsie will you we shan't be long yeah off we go then elsie elsie
06:09i'm terribly hungry you're just greedy
06:15you said absolutely nothing about my phone
06:18does that mean you have no complaints oh much better dear still a trifle long perhaps
06:23i didn't see anyone asleep you're wearing the wrong specs guy your reading glasses
06:28dozing i fear many of them
06:37see you lunch time
06:39megan oh just look at that girl's stockings a large potato in each heel
06:46what a graceless child
06:51this guy the sermon was wonderful but still a little long-winded morning
06:55oh mr symington nice to see you again and mrs symington how do you do oh jerry mr symington is
07:01miss barton's solicitor how do you do how do you do and there's still something jerry has to sign isn't
07:05there oh there's no hurry next time you're in the high street just drop in right i will do
07:10edward we better be moving the boys will be starving righty-ho
07:13well it's nice to have you both here see you again soon guy lord edward
07:32okay
07:39jerry
07:41mm-hmm
07:42you know something i have a feeling limson's doing you a power of good
07:46that was supposed to be the general idea wasn't it it was so well remembering all
07:52those pretty nurses at the hospital fast and fretted and soothed your fevered
07:56bra for months on end and to what purpose well apart from their job had
08:00their purpose whatever you remain totally indifferent ten days in
08:06limston and um what the hell are you talking about church last Sunday the
08:12Symington's nurse governess don't think I didn't notice you're getting better my
08:17darling brother you do talk the most awful rubbish mind you if her talent isn't
08:23exactly thick on the ground and say I had to choose between her and Partridge oh
08:34thank you very much had you thought about lunch oh gosh I hadn't you think about it
08:42for me will you Partridge well if that's what you want miss there they'll cheer
08:47you up letters from abandoned lovers two of them are bills Jerry oh well count them
08:53all what the devil's this you tell me
08:59my god
09:08it's one of those what are they called poison pen letters
09:17it's filthy absolutely disgusting
09:20no oh do let's see
09:23no no no I'm not sure you'd want to but I do please
09:27all right
09:28are they always like this well how the hell should I know
09:35well what should we do
09:37simply
09:38and I thought they rather liked us down here
09:44seems somebody doesn't
09:46but what kind of person it's a nutcase it must be forget it okay surely there's someone we should talk to
09:53surely there's someone we should talk to
09:54surely there's someone we should talk to
10:00yay over here dear
10:08oh yay
10:10so sorry I wasn't going to do
10:14it's a wonderful seatbelt jump in dear
10:18best answer that Beatrice
10:37oh
10:44come on in
10:45good morning Beatrice
10:48well behaving yourself
10:51only when i ask the doctor
10:53I'll just let him know
10:55Dr. Griffiths, sir, called to see you.
11:06No, don't get up. On my rounds, thought it was time we met.
11:09Owen Griffith, your local quack.
11:11Good to see you, Doctor.
11:12Well, I'm supposed to keep an eye on you.
11:14Your doctor wants weekly progress reports.
11:17Well, you'd better ask Joanna about that.
11:19She seems to think I'm doing pretty well.
11:21Ah, done some nursing, have you?
11:23He's sending me up, Doctor.
11:25We looked for you in church last Sunday.
11:27Did you now?
11:28Well, we're chapel, you see, my sister and me.
11:30Don't pray with the big knobs. Foreigners, if you like.
11:33I'd like to give you the once-over, if that's convenient.
11:36Right, I'm off, Doctor. Take good care of him, won't you?
11:39That's my job.
11:41And, um, come and see us again soon.
11:43Once a week.
11:44Don't forget, we're foreigners too. Bye.
11:55Breathe in.
11:59Been here long, Doc?
12:00Breathe in again. Seven years.
12:04And still a stranger?
12:07Well, I wasn't born here, you see.
12:11But they're good, kindly people, mostly.
12:14Who wouldn't write unpleasant, untruthful, ugly letters about people, would you say?
12:19You've heard one, have you?
12:20Mm-hmm.
12:21In circulation, are they?
12:22Forgive me.
12:23May I ask what it said?
12:25Nor shouldn't I.
12:26Why not?
12:27No one apparently is deceived.
12:29Uh, the young lady you've just met.
12:31Is a tart, a trollop, and certainly not my sister.
12:35Oh, I give you, of course, the expurgated version.
12:37Well, indeed, I'm sorry.
12:39I hope she's not too upset.
12:41Jo's spent two years on a fighter station.
12:43She's case-hardened.
12:45Upset, no.
12:46But just a nasty taste in her mouth.
12:48Mm, I can imagine.
12:49Ribs still painful?
12:50Only when I laugh.
12:51Mm-hmm.
12:52Well, you haven't got much to laugh about, have you?
12:53Right.
12:54Let's have a look at the legs.
13:00Sit down.
13:06These letters, Doctor.
13:07Have there been others?
13:08Yes.
13:09Who to?
13:11Me for one.
13:12To you?
13:13Why not?
13:15The writer is pathological and indiscriminate.
13:19Push hard, please.
13:21Scattering shot far and wide.
13:23And that is worrying.
13:24Why?
13:25Well, someone who just can't take it might get hit.
13:28Push again.
13:29Someone vulnerable.
13:30Well, that could be dangerous.
13:33Stand up, please.
13:37Yeah.
13:38Your right leg is a bit wasted.
13:40Okay.
13:43Exercise it.
13:44Throw away one of those sticks, will you?
13:46Rise and walk, as the good book says.
13:49So here endeth the first lesson.
13:51See you next week.
13:53Doctor.
13:54Doctor.
13:57These letters.
13:58Are they much the same thing?
14:00Well, I can tell you about mine.
14:03It accused me of violating my professional relationship.
14:07Of loose conduct with certain lady patients.
14:10The sexual detail was extremely lurid.
14:13As usual, of course.
14:14What was the handwriting like?
14:17There was no handwriting.
14:18The envelope was typewritten.
14:20And the letter was just printed words cut out of an old book
14:23and pasted onto a sheet of paper.
14:25That's it.
14:26Mine too.
14:27A work of some complete illiterate, I would imagine.
14:29Would you?
14:31See you next week.
14:32Maud's told you all about it, Jane.
14:33Oh, yes, indeed.
14:34Yes, it must be very worrying for you.
14:35Very.
14:36Here you are.
14:37Oh, thank you so much.
14:38Now, Jane, excuse me if I leave you to Maud.
14:39I have to prepare the weekly sleeping pill.
14:40Oh, yes, of course, Guy.
14:41Oh, I've taken St. Paul's warning on flesh and the devil,
14:42for to be carnally minded his death.
14:43Appropriate, I thought, in the circumstances.
14:44But I would have thought suitably discouraging.
14:45Keep it short, dear.
14:46Well, now, Maud, when did all this start?
14:47Oh, yes, it must be very worrying for you.
14:48Yes, it must be very worrying for you.
14:49Very.
14:50Here you are.
14:51Oh, thank you so much.
14:52Now, Jane, excuse me if I leave you to Maud.
14:53I have to prepare the weekly sleeping pill.
14:54Oh, yes, of course, Guy.
14:55Oh, I've taken St. Paul's warning on flesh and the devil,
14:58for to be carnally minded his death.
15:01Appropriate, I thought, in the circumstances.
15:03But I would have thought, suitably discouraging.
15:05Keep it short, dear.
15:07Well, now, Maud, when did all this start?
15:10Well, hard to say.
15:11Villages scandalize but hate scandals when they find themselves involved.
15:15Don't like others knowing they've received, well, dirty letters.
15:20For fear the neighbors might say there's no smoke without fire, is it it?
15:24Exactly.
15:25Not that anything remains a secret for Long in Limston.
15:28Well, but poor Guy, what is he accused of?
15:31Oh, something quite disgraceful with one of the women who does that.
15:34Well, he was flabbergasted, shocked, devastated, poor dear.
15:40How shameful.
15:41Well, you know Guy almost as well as I do.
15:44Absolutely no taste for fornication. None whatsoever.
15:48I almost wish he had.
15:50Really, Maud?
15:51A little worldly spice added to his sermons might make them more interesting.
15:54Well, you married a cleric, my dear, a classical scholar,
15:56and I've yet to find such a combination with a robust appetite for sin.
16:01Oh, I find that most reassuring.
16:03Well, now, Maud, what do you want of me?
16:06Well, it's not in your league, dear, I know.
16:10No dead bodies, no gunshots, no blunt instruments,
16:13not even a shadow of Scotland Yard.
16:16Just a lot of unhappy people I know you can help.
16:20You mean find the lady?
16:22If it is one, yes.
16:24Yes.
16:25Yes.
16:26Yes.
16:27Yes, of course.
16:39Are you all right?
16:40Yes, thanks.
16:41Hello.
16:42Hello.
16:43You're Mr. Burton, aren't you?
16:44Yes.
16:45I saw you after church.
16:46Is that your wife with you?
16:48No, no, no.
16:49My sister.
16:50Oh, I'm Megan.
16:51I saw you were alone.
16:52I thought I'd stop and walk with you.
16:54I had to fall off my bike, of course.
16:56Never mind.
16:57Nice of you.
16:58Look, I see you've torn your stock.
17:00Gosh, so I have.
17:01Doesn't matter.
17:02It will once you've left school.
17:04I've left school.
17:05Oh, you have.
17:06Forgive me.
17:07How old do you think I am?
17:09Ah, the truth game.
17:11I'm 20.
17:12Sorry again.
17:13You think I ought to be more like your sister?
17:16All dolled up.
17:17No, I don't.
17:19She's awfully pretty.
17:21Isn't a bit like you, is she?
17:23Well, she's clean and presentable.
17:26I'm not a bit like me, you mean.
17:32You're a pilot, aren't you?
17:34Mm, I was.
17:35Will you always be a bit of a croc?
17:38According to my doctor, no.
17:41I was afraid you looked bad-tempered because you were crocked up for life.
17:44Bad tempered?
17:46Well, irritable then.
17:48It's only because I'm in a hurry to get fit again.
17:50Aren't you ever in a hurry for things to happen?
17:52Not much point.
17:53Nothing ever happens.
17:55Not to me.
17:56Oh, but surely your mother and your father.
17:58My father's not my father.
17:59He's my stepfather.
18:01Ah, is he?
18:03He never mentioned my real father.
18:05Disgraced himself, it seems.
18:07Disappeared.
18:08Then Mummy married Mr Symington.
18:10You've met him, haven't you?
18:11Yes.
18:12Anyway, all's well that ends well.
18:15You think?
18:16Not sure he likes me very much.
18:18Not sure Mummy does either, for that matter.
18:21Now you're being morbid, girl.
18:23Am I?
18:24Fact is, I'm a bit of a bore, I suppose.
18:27And before I start boring you, I'd better be off.
18:30Bye.
18:31I just don't know what we do with a girl, Edward.
18:45She's young.
18:46She's 20.
18:47If I may say so, your problem.
18:51Oh, no, I'm sorry, my dear, I didn't mean it like that.
18:55It's just that being a stepfather, it's...
18:57Makes it difficult for you to say what you really feel?
19:00Yes.
19:01Sometimes.
19:02Well, not for me.
19:03I have our boys to consider.
19:05She wanders up by herself.
19:07She's always late for meals.
19:09Makes no attempt to help Elsie in the nursery
19:11and dresses like a tramp.
19:12What sort of example is that for them?
19:14She's just as her father was.
19:17Disruptive.
19:18Oh, good morning.
19:29I wonder, could you help me?
19:31Which Mr. Symington do I ask for?
19:33There is only one.
19:35Oh, but I thought I read Symington, Galbraith and Symington.
19:38Oh, the first Mr. Symington was the present Mr. Symington's father.
19:42He's dead.
19:43Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
19:45Well, perhaps I might see the present Mr. Symington.
19:48He's engaged at the moment.
19:49Can I help you?
19:50Oh, no, thank you.
19:51Thank you so much.
19:52No, it's a church matter.
19:53But, well, perhaps I might wait.
19:56Yes, of course.
19:57Do sit down.
19:58I'll just let him know.
19:59Oh, how very kind.
20:01Would you say Miss Marple?
20:03Jane Marple?
20:04Yes, of course.
20:06Excuse me, sir.
20:08A Miss Jane Marple.
20:11Won't keep you long, Miss Marple.
20:13He has Mrs. Symington with him.
20:15Oh, well, then we mustn't disturb him, must we?
20:18Do you know, I always think that working in a solicitor's office must prove most rewarding.
20:24Oh, it is.
20:25All those different people, different problems, and finding solutions for them.
20:30Well, Mr. Symington's the one who does all that.
20:33And does he?
20:34Yes, he's really marvelous.
20:36Very patient.
20:37Very kind.
20:38Simply wonderful with people.
20:40Really.
20:42Miss Marple?
20:43Ah.
20:45Do come in.
20:46Thank you so much.
20:48I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.
20:49Please sit down.
20:50Oh, no.
20:51It's I who should be asking forgiveness for interrupting a busy man.
20:54Not at all.
20:55My wife tells me you've already met.
20:57Oh, yes, yes.
20:58Of course.
20:59Last year at the vicarage.
21:00Yes.
21:01How are you?
21:02And how is that most interesting daughter of yours, Megan?
21:05Oh, my poor Megan.
21:07At the awkward age, I'm afraid.
21:09Oh, but she must be in her early twenties by now.
21:12But very young.
21:13Quite a child still.
21:15Most mothers think they grow up too quickly.
21:18Not me, Miss Marple.
21:19I only wish she'd do something.
21:21Learn something.
21:22Typing.
21:23Dress making.
21:24Even take a correspondence course.
21:26Anything.
21:27If only she'd get out of...
21:29Out of your home.
21:31Oh, certainly not.
21:32That's the last thing we'd want.
21:34Angela would want, isn't it, my dear?
21:36Naturally.
21:37Now, I know you ladies like to natter,
21:39but Miss Marple had a purpose in coming to see me, so...
21:42Yes, of course, yes.
21:43Now, let me see now.
21:44Where was I?
21:45Yes.
21:46Now, Maude Colthrope wants to remind you
21:48that the Church Restoration Fund accounts...
21:51Have to be completed and submitted by next Tuesday?
21:54They are.
21:55They will be.
21:56Oh, absolutely splendid.
21:57Well, in that case, I don't think I...
21:59Oh, there was one other little matter.
22:01I...
22:02Then I'd better be on my way.
22:03No, no, no.
22:04Please, no.
22:05Don't go on my account.
22:06No.
22:07Private matters in a solicitor's office are, I know,
22:09as invalid as a confessional.
22:10No, it was just that I...
22:12I wondered if by any chance you'd heard about these anonymous letters
22:16that have been going round.
22:19Come in.
22:21Sorry to interrupt, sir, but would it be convenient
22:24if I popped along to the stationers?
22:26We're almost out of copying paper.
22:28Why not, Miss Ginch?
22:29Off you go.
22:30Oh, you'd better leave that door ajar.
22:32Yes, sir.
22:33Thank you, sir.
22:35I'm sorry.
22:36Please go on.
22:37Mr. Symington, as a legal man,
22:39what would your advice be to someone who receives such a letter?
22:43Take it to the police.
22:44Immediately.
22:46And if they don't?
22:48But they do.
22:50Do?
22:51Well, at least I did.
22:52Oh, good heavens, don't tell me that you are...
22:54I'm afraid so.
22:57Well, forgive an inquisitive old lady, Mr. Symington,
22:59but what was the police response?
23:02Amiable.
23:03It came from our own solid sergeant father.
23:06Not to get excited, it's probably some spinster lady getting a little overheated.
23:09I didn't inquire exactly what he meant by that.
23:12Oh, so he assumes that the writer is a woman.
23:16Well, nine times out of ten they are, apparently.
23:20Oh, yes.
23:21Yes, I see.
23:23Yes.
23:24That would account for all those letters that I seem to know about being addressed to men.
23:31Yes.
23:32Well, I won't keep you any longer.
23:33Thank you for giving me so much of your valuable time.
23:35Well, goodbye.
23:36Goodbye, Miss Marple.
23:39Oh, may I just say this?
23:40I do congratulate you on your choice of secretary.
23:43Nowadays, it's so rare to hear an employee speak so warmly of an employer.
23:48Edward seems to inspire hero worship, Miss Marple.
23:51I rather had that impression.
23:53Goodbye.
23:54Goodbye, Miss Marple.
24:03So you made it?
24:04Mm-hmm.
24:08There and back?
24:09Apart from a sit down in Symington's office, that's all.
24:12Meet anyone?
24:14All of Limston.
24:15And nearly knocked down into the bargain.
24:17Oh.
24:18Oh, the Symington girl on a bicycle.
24:21Is that the Meghan we've heard about?
24:23Hmm.
24:24Hmm.
24:25Funny girl.
24:30I hope Mr Burton has all excuse the liberty, but I'd like the word.
24:34Hmm.
24:35Of course.
24:36That's Beatrice, sir.
24:37Beatrice?
24:38Yes, Mr Burton.
24:39She have to go.
24:40Go where?
24:41Leave.
24:42Oh, but why?
24:44That's these letters, sir.
24:46Wicked they are.
24:47Indecent, too, using such words.
24:49Worse than what I've ever read in the Bible, even.
24:52Mind you, I know there weren't no truth in them.
24:55And you with them bad legs and all.
24:57Me?
24:58What are you talking about?
25:00Has Beatrice received...
25:01No, sir.
25:02George have.
25:03George down the garage.
25:04Two of them's walking out.
25:06And there are no smoke without fire.
25:08That's what he told her.
25:10So I suspect that you would go.
25:12What will the poor kid do?
25:14She's all right.
25:15She's fixed up nice.
25:17The Simminton maid were married off last month, so now they've took Beatrice, sir.
25:22But how about you?
25:23Oh.
25:24They'll manage somehow.
25:26Well, I'm damned.
25:27She was always such a bright little thing.
25:29Yeah.
25:30Well, she'd be better off with them.
25:33Ain't no young men round.
25:37I'll take it.
25:39Partridge?
25:42Yes, Mr Burton?
25:43These letters.
25:44People must have some idea.
25:46Oh, they have.
25:47Have they?
25:48They have indeed.
25:50And do you mark my words, there's gonna be a mischief sooner or later.
25:54You see?
25:55Folk ain't violent.
25:57Oh, come on, Partridge.
25:58In their feelings, sir.
25:59But you can't take it that seriously.
26:01There's plenty as do, sir.
26:04Young George down the garage, for instance.
26:06So who's the front runner?
26:08The prime suspect?
26:10Well, I'm not one for gossip, sir, as well you know.
26:15But there's those that do say, that's Mrs Cleet.
26:18Cleet?
26:19The gardener's wife?
26:20Oh, she's more than that, Mr Burton.
26:23Oh.
26:24Exercise, long walks, rich food, no pastry.
26:28You are prescribing, of course, prison fare, Owen.
26:31I am prescribing better health and a lower blood pressure.
26:34But boring.
26:35Miss Griffith, your brother's been very cold.
26:38To be kind, Mr Pye.
26:40Owen, you're like that old Bernard Shaw.
26:42What did Oscar say?
26:44He has no enemies, and all his friends hate him.
26:47Good day to the pair of you.
26:49Oh, very witty, Mr Pye.
26:52He's the boring one.
26:54Right.
26:55Lead the lot.
26:56Yes.
26:57Avoidance.
26:58Thanks.
27:02What's this?
27:03Burton, Tuesday.
27:04Phoned.
27:05Said he'd come in to save your journey.
27:07Good.
27:08Must be feeling better.
27:09Nice, is he?
27:10Pleasant sort of chap.
27:11Not to talk about his sister, I hear.
27:13Is that so?
27:14Tarts herself up like one of these fashion models, isn't she?
27:17I wouldn't say that.
27:18Rather attractive, as a matter of fact.
27:20No, on reflection.
27:22Very attractive.
27:23Men.
27:24Oh, Lord.
27:25No more gossip.
27:26Last visit.
27:27And I know who to.
27:29Oh, did you make up that prescription?
27:31Here it is.
27:32Mrs Symington, the sedative.
27:34One to be taken mid-day and before retirement.
27:37Bless you, Errol.
27:38There's nothing wrong with a woman.
27:39A good dose of common sense wouldn't cure.
27:42She's very nervy, neurotic.
27:44And a nuisance to everyone.
27:45To you, her family.
27:47She needs support, Errol.
27:49Indeed she does.
27:51Oh, that poor man, her husband.
27:54He's the one I feel sorry for.
27:56Look, woman.
27:57When we first came here, Symington was very helpful.
28:00Very kind to both of us, I know that.
28:03And I know you've also had a very soft spot for him.
28:07Whatever do you mean?
28:09Owen?
28:10What do you take me for?
28:12He's a married man.
28:14That's right, Errol.
28:19Oh, come now.
28:21Get on the phone to the cricketers, woman.
28:24I'm taking you out tonight.
28:26It shan't be long.
28:27Oh, a delicious sherry, Mr. Pye.
28:43And if I may say so, an exquisite house.
28:47Indeed you may, dear lady.
28:48But then you appreciate the importance of beauty.
28:51As do our young friends here.
28:53Alas, very rare in these parts.
28:55Here, where every prospect pleases.
28:58And only man is violent?
29:00Much worse.
29:01Dull.
29:02Unbearably, impossibly dull.
29:04Oh, I don't know.
29:05I think the villagers are rather fun.
29:07The generosity of youth, my dear.
29:09But I didn't mean the rustics.
29:11You can excuse them.
29:12They live, work and play amid pigsties
29:14with the permanent smell of manure in their nostrils.
29:16No, I meant those who should know better.
29:19Those with money and no taste.
29:21Arrogance and no sensibility.
29:23Minds devoid of imagination.
29:25Ugly, ugly, ugly people.
29:27But you, you I claim as kindred spirits.
29:31You are as eloquent, Mr. Pye, as you are gracious as a host.
29:34Dear Miss Marple, what a charming compliment.
29:37It's perhaps a little severe on your fellow men.
29:40What I don't understand, sir, is why you settled here in the first place.
29:44What were you looking for?
29:45Sanctuary.
29:46I'm not quite sure what I follow.
29:48From the war.
29:49Those terrifying doodlebugs.
29:51The dust and dirt.
29:53The smell of all these bodies sheltering in the underground.
29:56I'm not a brave man, squadron leader, if you follow to pretend otherwise.
30:00Bombs frighten me.
30:01I abominate all violence.
30:03So you left London, was it?
30:05I did indeed.
30:06What were the Yanks and all their GI brides to be?
30:09Running an antique shop in the Kings Road, Chelsea became quite intolerable.
30:13And when my, my partner chose to disappear into the blue, that was it.
30:20London could take it.
30:21I couldn't.
30:22I sold up.
30:23Fled.
30:24And here I am.
30:25Oh dear.
30:26I think that's rather a sad little tale.
30:29Ah.
30:30Beauty and sympathy in combination.
30:32Irresistible.
30:33Another glass of sherry wine.
30:34You haven't told us, Mr. Pye, did you find the sanctuary?
30:39I did, dear lady.
30:41Here.
30:42In this house.
30:43Nowhere else.
30:44Certainly not with my neighbours.
30:47Oh.
30:48Well, forgive my ignorance, but...
30:51Isn't that just a little limiting?
30:53Not if you have a passion for beauty.
30:56And don't you find that houses can be passionate?
30:59Oh yes, how interesting.
31:01It hadn't occurred to me.
31:03For example, take Emily Barton.
31:05Miss Barton?
31:06That house you're in.
31:07I mean, what is it?
31:09Nothing but a monument to her mother's perversions.
31:11A cold fortress against the masculine ego.
31:14I wouldn't know about that.
31:16Warping.
31:17She doesn't seem very warped.
31:19Well, scarred.
31:20Underneath scarred.
31:22Had it not occurred to you.
31:25Those P.P. letters.
31:27P.P.
31:28Poison pen.
31:29Surely you're not suggesting Miss Barton.
31:33Appearances can be deceptive, of course.
31:36Can't they just?
31:37How about that girl down at the surgery?
31:40The receptionist.
31:41The doctor's sister.
31:43All that Welsh passion expended in polishing her ugly lino.
31:46Oh, but surely somebody else does that.
31:49Possibly.
31:50But it's a thought, Miss Marple.
31:52Would you not say another candidate for our P.P. lady?
31:55So secretive.
31:57And those flashing eyes.
31:59Wow.
32:00She sounds quite a dish.
32:02Miss Marple.
32:03Oh, no, thank you.
32:04No, really.
32:05How should I face the vicar at lunch?
32:07But tell me, Mr. Pye.
32:09Um, talking of the P.P. letters, do tell me, have you ever received one yourself?
32:18Me?
32:20Well, whatever have I to hide that might interest the writer?
32:24Oh, I'm sure I don't know, Mr. Pye.
32:28George?
32:33George?
32:36George?
32:37George, you were supposed to meet me at the bus stop.
32:40Well, I changed my mind, didn't I?
32:42Why?
32:43Just tell me why.
32:44What can you know?
32:46Don't be so daft.
32:47You're mucking at me one day half.
32:49Yours too.
32:51Don't care.
32:53Look, it weren't my fault you were getting that letter, were it?
32:56Weren't it?
32:57I told you.
32:58He's a cripple.
32:59Walks on sticks.
33:00What can he do?
33:01He can look at you.
33:03But I've left the place.
33:05Know what you are, don't you?
33:07Barney.
33:08Yeah?
33:09I knows what you are.
33:11Thank you very much, George Ellis.
33:13If that's what you think of me, I'd best go straight back to the Symingtons.
33:16You change that mind of yours again, that's where you'll find me.
33:27Hello?
33:28Megan.
33:29Hello to you.
33:30Where are you off to?
33:31Nowhere special.
33:32Just cycling around.
33:33Then come in.
33:34Come on.
33:35You sure?
33:36Joanna's around somewhere.
33:37I have done my stockings.
33:38Have you?
33:39Good show.
33:40Well, are you or aren't you?
33:41Will you or won't you?
33:42Perhaps your sister's busy.
33:43Yeah, you haven't been a little bit for me.
33:44Well, I mean, I don't know.
33:45She's a big one.
33:46Well, you're a smart woman and you're a smart woman.
33:47I could love to.
33:48I'd love to.
33:49I could love to have a hand.
33:50Well, I'm not some people.
33:51Well, who can they ask you?
33:52Well, maybe I'd say I'd say that.
33:53You're about to have a good day.
33:54Who?
33:55How are you?
33:56A good day.
33:57My good.
33:59Hello to you.
34:00Where are you off to?
34:01Nowhere special.
34:02Just cycling around.
34:03Then come in.
34:04Come on.
34:05you. good show. well are you or aren't you? will you or won't you? perhaps your
34:11sister's busy. she's not and she wants to meet you. can't see why.
34:19here we are. well done. any girl who throws herself at my brother's feet. she fell off
34:25her bicycle Jo. you told me. here. not another. what is it? dry martini. what's
34:34that? a cocktail. i've never had cocktails before. they lift you up. makes me dizzy.
34:40expect you think i'm awful. unspeakable. what you doing about it? tell me what do you
34:48think? darling i think you're a breath of fresh air and you and i are going to be
34:52great pals. everyone else thinks i'm stupid. oh for goodness sake. stop imagining things.
34:58i know what goes on in their minds. in your mind? i'm not wanted you know. mummy doesn't
35:03like me one bit. now you're being morbid again child. and i'm not a child. she
35:10doesn't. i remind her of daddy. she'd like it to be just herself and the boys and
35:14their father. megan darling why don't you? well couldn't you just leave? to do what?
35:20i'm quite useless. no money. no training. it's true. no one would miss me. i would. i'd miss
35:27those holier than thou stockings of yours. there you are you see. i'm just a slob. that
35:32isn't true. that's what everyone believes. that's why i hate limston. hate the house i live
35:38in. hate my mother. hate everyone everything. well that's pretty comprehensive so. i'd better
35:44be going. thanks joanna. thanks very much. i do get up. for heaven's sake. stop being
35:51so superior. so patronizing. patronizing? i'm sorry. anyway. thanks. to both of you.
36:00so what did i say? do you think she'll be all right? my god that girl's a problem child.
36:10not a child. a woman. now she has another problem. hmm? what's that? oh dear. can't you guess?
36:30you think she'll be all right?
36:40you think she'll be all right?
36:46you think she'll be all right?
36:52i'm away miss kinch. good night sir. oh. that conveyance on the alderton
37:05promise. i'll have it ready in the morning mr symington. fine. i'll see you tomorrow.
37:15back to the table robert. at once. no one said you could get down. and james don't wave your knife
37:21around like that. what would mummy say if she saw you?
37:27daddy's home. now sit up properly both of you and behave yourselves.
37:33and robert you want jam all over your face here? fishy face.
37:51daddy daddy i want to show you something. hey hey back up there. back up there. you're pulling me apart.
38:08what have you two monsters been up to? we went down to the river.
38:12and look what we've caught daddy. yes look daddy.
38:17look here they are daddy. oh they're tiddlers. where's the shark?
38:22you can't catch sharks in the river. don't be stupid daddy. sharks like warm water.
38:28you see my wife? oh still resting i think mr symington. still? well she wasn't downstairs when
38:37we arrived home. because i caught that. well i left. try and squeeze another cup out of that pot.
38:42help her wake up. you know you really are noisy. you stand six inches apart. you have to shout at each
38:52other. calm down. i'll be back in a minute. come on boys and help me clear up. it's bath time for soon.
38:58calm down. come on boys and help me. come on boys and help me. come on boys and help me.
39:28Elsie! Miss Olland!
39:43Mr. Symington, what is it?
39:45What's the matter?
39:47Whatever made you choose this colour, Jane?
39:50Do you disapprove?
39:52I don't comment, I inquire.
39:54Well, it's not for me, Guy.
39:57It's for my baby goddaughter.
39:58PHONE RINGS
40:09Hello, Vicarage.
40:11Yes, Maude Colthorpe speaking.
40:14Good evening, Miss Holland.
40:18Oh, dear Lord.
40:20No.
40:25Yes, of course.
40:27My husband will come over immediately.
40:39It's Angela Symington.
40:42Oh, dear.
40:44She's not dead, is she?
40:46She's not dead, is she?
40:47She's not dead, is she?
40:49Sure.
40:53She's not dead, is she?
40:54I'd be doing that.
40:55To the Finchamore Shakir.
40:56Yeah, we're going south after a house star,
40:57because of Pope, who, Harry.
41:58Morning sir.
42:04Just one moment superintendent.
42:06I'd like to make a note for you.
42:17Most obliged superintendent. Carry on please.
42:20The police have established the following sir.
42:23Mr. Symington returned to his office shortly after lunch.
42:26Miss Holland had taken the two boys off for a walk and a picnic.
42:30Mrs. Symington's daughter Megan went cycling and the two servants had left because it was there half day off.
42:37Mrs. Symington was alone in the house when the letter was delivered.
42:41By post?
42:43By hand. There was no stamp.
42:45This potassium cyanide, do we know where it came from?
42:52It seems the potting shed. There had been a plague of wasps.
42:56The gardener was using it to destroy the nests.
42:58Thank you superintendent.
43:00Doctor how would you describe the dead woman's general state of health?
43:08She had a nervous condition which I was treating.
43:11With these sedatives she took daily.
43:14Would you consider her a neurotic?
43:18She suffered from nervous disorder yes.
43:21And on receiving a letter of this kind.
43:24What in your estimation would be its effect on her?
43:27It would in my judgment prove a great shock.
43:31Even destabilizing would you say?
43:34Quite possibly.
43:39On reading that letter can there be any doubt
43:41that this poor woman was thrown into a state of extreme agitation.
43:45She went out into the garden.
43:47She found the cyanide.
43:48Took some back into the house.
43:50Threw it into a glass containing her usual sedative.
43:54And then drank it.
43:55After writing those last tragic words
43:58I can't go on.
44:01The writer of that wicked letter is morally guilty of murder.
44:05The police I know will not relax their efforts until this culprit is apprehended.
44:11This court finds that Angela Margaret Symington did take her own life
44:15whilst the balance of her mind was disturbed.
44:18Don't dismisses her or even the other one.
44:20I didn't expect that.
44:21That would be the case.
44:22It's not on the right.
44:23Hey, Megan!
44:24Wait!
44:25Hey, Megan, wait!
44:37Mr. Symington? Edward? I'm so sorry. Terrible for you, all that coming out of the letter.
45:01I just hope that whoever it is can sleep nights. If there's anything I can do...
45:10I know. Thank you.
45:15Mr. Symington, I'd better get back to the boys.
45:19Oh, yes, yes, of course. I must stay. I have to thank the coroner.
45:26Bad it is. Very bad.
45:29Well, you shouldn't have left that there cyanide line round out of the cleat, should you?
45:33Here, never you go blaming me. You blame them wasps.
45:36Miss Partridge? I... I...
45:40What, girl?
45:42Tomorrow afternoon. Could I come and see you? Just for a chat.
45:46What you been up to now, then, eh?
45:49Nothing, Miss Partridge. But I do have something on my mind.
45:53Oh, you do, do you? Something's bothering at me.
45:56Mm-hm.
45:57Remember when I had that row with George?
46:00Hmm? The day all this happened, you know?
46:03My stars. I wish, now, I'd never went to that there house.
46:07I just feel so alone now, Guy. I'm not sure I can face it.
46:18You will.
46:20You must, for the boys' sake.
46:24Without Angela?
46:25I know, Edward.
46:28Look.
46:30Owen believed it was cyanide.
46:33There had to be a reason, Edward.
46:37That letter.
46:38That damn filthy letter.
46:40Saying what?
46:44That our youngest, Jamie, wasn't my child.
46:47And whoever wrote it was gonna tell the world who the real father was.
46:50I mean, it was all nonsense. It's sheer nonsense, Guy.
46:52You know he was our child. You christened him.
46:54Of course. Of course.
46:59If only I'd been with her.
47:03If only someone.
47:09If...
47:11If only she hadn't been alone.
47:13If only she hadn't been alone.
47:18Guy will look after him. That's his job.
47:20There's nothing more we can do.
47:22Selfish and silly as she may have been,
47:24but I can hardly think she was the kind of woman to...
47:27To take her own life?
47:28But the note, I can't go on.
47:30And cyanide.
47:34Yes.
47:36Perhaps I should have seen and understood sooner.
47:39What, Jane?
47:40Maude, my dear?
47:43I'm afraid.
47:44Of what?
47:46That it was not suicide.
47:49You can't mean you...
47:51You can't, Jane.
47:53Who would want to...
47:55kill her?
47:57Well, that we've yet to find out, my dear.