What's all this here?
You may choose, members of the jury, to believe the prisoner:
That returning from a walk, he found the hanging Mrs McGinty
and was about to release the rope
when Police Constable Wells appeared on the scene.
On the other hand, you may think the accused intended
to cover manual strangulation of Mrs McGinty,
for motives of greed,
with clumsy attempts to make his mean crime appear to be suicide.
CLICKING
Madam, either you will have to cease knitting
or I will have to cease judging, which shall it be?
- It helps my concentration, m'lord. - It does not help me.
Oh.
- Very well. - Thank you, madam.
Ah, yes.
If what I have said is the truth,
the prisoner was delayed in the execution of his evil subterfuge
by the victim's desperate fight.
Those scattered banknotes, that sad crushed rose torn from her dress...
He was delayed, I say, long enough for the timely intervention
of the alert Police Constable Wells.
Summing up for a conviction.
- Stand you a beer, Wells. - Thank you.
...had every chance of knowing that the widow
kept her life savings there instead of in the bank
and that Harold Taylor was bent on securing her meagre fortune.
If the presented facts admit of any reasonable doubt,
the accused is entitled to the benefit of that doubt.
Members of the jury,
if you have been convinced beyond all reasonable doubt,
that the accused did this heinous crime,
then it is your solemn duty to return a verdict of guilty.
You will retire and consider your verdict.
We have time for that beer, Wells.
There's no doubt in my mind he's guilty. >
He was caught red-handed. >
DOOR OPENS
Prisoner, have you anything to say...
Not yet, m'lord, the jury is still out.
Surely the time is appropriate for a very dry Martini, Johnson.
Very good, m'lord.
- More tea? - No. They're coming back.
Are you agreed upon your verdict?
No, sir.
- What did you say? - We can't reach agreement, m'lord.
Silence. My court is not a bear garden.
I suggest you retire for longer.
It would be a waste of time, m'lord.
I see.
Very well. There will be a retrial at a later date. Jury dismissed.
This was an open and shut case.
One jury member was deliberately perverse.
More than one, Inspector, I assure you.
Oh?
11 to be precise.
She's made a mockery of my one and only murder.
No! No! No, Mr Swanbridge! Don't turn your back on the audience.
I want them to see the surprise on your face.
Allow me.
Just once more, Miss Rusty, please.
Right.
Ah, our lady president.
Carry on, please.
- Try again. - Do try harder, Mr Swanbridge.
My arm's getting awfully tired.
A little rough at the moment, but it'll be all right on the night.
- Tea? - No, thank you.
You found him guilty, of course.
They did. I did not.
Surely...
Remember our play for the renovation fund, The Lodger's Dilemma?
Unforgettable.
You remember that the victim wore a rose to receive her paramour.
- The lodger was blamed. - Exactly.
Mrs McGinty wore a rose on the fatal night.
Oh!
Was it to receive her lodger
when we have no evidence of a dalliance between them?
- I hardly think so. - Then she wore it for someone else.
- Her murderer, you think? - I do.
Excuse me, Mr Stringer.
I'm sorry, but he still turns away. What can I do?
We have to recast him.
Ask the vicar if he'll be kind enough to have a try.
Yes.
If what you say is so, then an innocent man's life may be at stake.
What can be done?
We can inquire rather more closely
into Mrs McGinty's life than the police have seen fit to do.
- Yes, but how? - By returning to the crime scene.
PIERCING SCREAM
Oh, very good, vicar. Excellent! Excellent!
Whoa!
Mr Stringer, if our plan works, you 're sure you know your part?
- Yes, I think so. - Down! Down! You may be observed.
- Yes? - I'm collecting...
I'm collecting jumble for the church. You 're a Christian, surely?
- I should hope so. - Well then?
If it's for the church, there's plenty.
Oh, thank you.
Got her stuff here. You 've heard of my sister?
Yes.
I knew she'd come to a bad end - one of those theatricals.
I thought she was a barmaid.
Yes, but she used to be on the stage.
Did it in there, with his bare hands.
- Gloved ones? - It's the same thing. This way.
She was always sticking her neck out.
- She left you her cottage. - Didn't have time to write her will.
No, it would seem not.
Still, I mustn't decry her, my own sister.
Blood's thicker than water.
Here's her stuff, nothing of value - probably got it from a jumble sale.
She swore these rat-tails were mink.
I wouldn't be seen dead in this coat.
Why dress in these rags when she had money?
A real little slut she was. >
As a kid, she always wanted to be an actress. >
An actress, I ask you! >
Mean, she was, you know, mean!
A touch of rheumatism. I find this beneficial.
- Oh, really? - Yes.
Rub linseed and vinegar into the joints.
- It makes a new woman of me. - I'll bear that in mind.
That's the insurance man paying out...
They hate the unforeseen occurring.
Persistence, Mr Stringer. Foot in door.
- I hope you brought cash? - Brought what?
I don't want the same trouble as when my John died.
- I don't understand. - You are from the insurance?
Oh, no, madam. I was hoping to interest you in improving your mind.
Would you allow me to show you the new Wonder book?
Do. Come in, Mr... come in.
Murder She Said, Murder She Said, Murder She Said.
This section on our feathered friends is most comprehensive.
Everything from an albatross to a shrike.
A shrike. So named for its incessant chatter and predatory instincts.
It has a habit of impaling its prey.
How interesting.
I'll get rid of the woman upstairs and then we'll have some tea.
Please don't. I can't trespass on your generosity.
Oh dear, poor Mr Stringer.
Fancy mistaking you for the insurance man. You 're too nice.
- Really? - Well, of course you are.
You don't really look like a salesman do you?
- Don't I? - No.
- So you 're a bachelor, Mr Stringer? - Er, yes.
- I can always tell. I'm a widow. - I'd never have believed it.
How do you do?
- Have you got what you wanted? - Yes.
Perhaps the gentlemen would care to help me?
Indeed.
I'll leave you the book, Mrs Thomas. Brood on it, will you?
- What about the tea? - Good day, Mrs Thomas.
So you 're a bachelor, Mr Stringer?
- Not staying to tea? - Oh, no.
Dear me, the lady will be disappointed. Up!
Miss Marple, I gave that woman no encouragement.
It is of small importance.
Good heavens, I've got it! Jim!
There's the page of the Milchester Gazette
I took from Mrs McGinty's room.
Here's the same page I got from the newspaper offices.
I've snipped out the same words and letters and produced this.
A rose. A rose?
Milchester 862, please.
PHONE RINGS
Is that Lady Cynthia Waterhouse?
Lady who?
No, this is Mrs Gladys Thomas.
I'm so sorry, I have the wrong number.
As I thought. 862 is the telephone number of Mrs McGinty's cottage.
- I'm lost. - Don't you see?
This message is typical of a certain criminal - the blackmailer.
Yes, I think Mrs McGinty may have been one.
- Dear me. - Well, consider...
The Cosgood Players gave six performances of Murder She Said
in the week of May 12th to 19th -
the same week as this issue of the Gazette.
Here we have six programmes.
Mrs McGinty attended each performance.
- Why? - It's an excellent play.
True, but her interest was not in the play,
former actress that she was.
No, I am convinced she was a blackmailer.
She was blackmailing a member of this company.
- Her murderer, you suppose? - I do.
- I think we deserve a small beer. - Yes, please.
Oh, it's you, Inspector. You gave me quite a turn.
You gave me a turn, Miss Marple.
- May I come in? - Well...
Yes.
It's Inspector Craddock, Mr Stringer.
Oh, how nice.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
Are you here socially or officially, Inspector?
Well, a little bit of both.
That poses an interesting problem. Socially, I can offer you a beer.
Officially not, if you 're on duty.
I...
All right, it's official.
Then some tea. Won't you sit down?
Thank you, no. This won't take long.
We were playing anagrams, Inspector.
Miss Marple, PC Wells informs me
that he observed you at the late Mrs McGinty's cottage.
Oh?
You were imitating a rag-and-bone dealer.
I certainly was not. I was collecting jumble for the church.
Is that so?
If you don't believe me, ring the vicar...
...now!
Look, Miss Marple, in the past you 've been a small help
to the police and we're grateful,
but at the trial you interfered with the course of justice.
I'd feel a lot easier, and so would the Chief Constable,
if you would promise me not to continue to do so.
You can have that promise freely.
I have no intention of interfering with the course of justice.
Yes. Well, good.
- There's no more to be said. - No.
- Good night. - Good night.
Yes.
We should have confided our suspicions.
Certainly not. That man has just thrown down the gauntlet.
You know what the police are.
The month of September 1951...
This reference to a rose...
These things must have a great significance for our man or woman.
I suppose so.
The difficulty is, the Cosgood Players have moved on.
I read they were at the Halford Palace Theatre.
There is no doubt in my mind
that one of these play actors is a murderer.
If you 're convinced of your theory, we should in some way, well... act.
Act!
Of course, why not?
That's what I must do. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Take our bags to the YMCA, Jim.
If I'm successful, I'll collect mine later.
I ought to wait, Miss Marple.
No, this may take some time. Au revoir.
We had £300 and now there's nothing. Where is it? It's a simple question.
- For simple people. - That's mine!
What's the use?
Thank you.
Daddy's so democratic. I can marry anyone.
You could have put that better!
You 're sitting pretty, eh, Bill?
You could have put that better too!
Oh! I was looking for Mr Cosgood.
Haven't I seen you before?
Really? I wonder where that could have been?
I'm not sure.
Probably in another dimension! Take no notice, she's our weirdie.
No, it was in a dream... ...she and you, George.
- It's something to do with death. - Oh, please, Eva. Can I help you?
I have an appointment with Mr Cosgood.
He's on the stage somewhere. It's over there.
Thank you. I'll find him, young man.
Mr Cosgood!
Mr Cos... Oh!
- Are you Jane Marble? - Marple, if you please.
- Very well, get on with it. - It?
I have a performance in half-an-hour. Whatever you want to do, do!
Oh!
Throw your voice to the back. I want to hear every word.
I can't catch what you say.
I want to hear every word!
Oh, very well.
The Shooting of Dan McGrew...
...by Mr Robert W. Service.
'A bunch of the boys were whooping it up in the Malamute saloon
'T he kid that handles the music-box was hitting a jag-time tune
'A nd back at the bar... in a solo game sat dangerous Dan McGrew
'A nd watching his luck was his light-o'-Iove, the lady known as Lou.
'W hen out of the night...
'Out of the night that was fifty below
'A nd into the din and the glare,
'T here stumbled a miner fresh from the creeks
'Dog dirty and loaded for bear... '
Just give me the gist and get to the climax!
Oh, dear me, that's very difficult.
It's a long poem and there's a great deal to it.
However, as you wish.
Well now... soon after the stranger has entered this lurid scene,
it becomes evident that there is a growing antagonism
between him and Mr McGrew.
An antagonism which is to end in stark tragedy.
Shall I pick it up when the miner,
seated at the saloon piano, is playing like a maniac?
- Yes, yes, please do. - Thank you.
'T hen the stranger turned
'A nd his eyes they burned in a most peculiar way
'ln a buckskin shirt that was glazed with dirt he sat and I saw him sway
'T hen his lips went thin in a kind of grin
'A nd he spoke and his voice was calm
'Boys, you don't know me and none of you care a darn... '
Yes, yes, yes, but get to the point, please!
'But I want to state and my words are straight
'A nd I'll bet my poke they're true
'T hat one of you is a hound of hell
'A nd that one is Dan McGrew
'I ducked my head and the lights went out
'A nd two guns blazed in the dark and a woman screamed
'A nd the lights went up and two men lay stiff and stark
'P itched on his head and pumped full of lead was dangerous Dan McGrew
'W hile the man from the creeks lay clutched to the breast
of the lady that's known as Lou
'I 'm not as wise as the lawyer guys
'But strictly between us two
'T he woman who kissed him and pinched his poke
'W as the lady that's known as Lou.'
Are you still there?
- You were joking, of course. - Indeed, I was not.
Oh, then I am not joking when I tell you
that if you persist in joining our profession,
your wisest course is to register for unemployment pay.
That will not be necessary. I am of independent means.
- Dear lady, I didn't finish. - You made your view quite clear.
No, no. I was about to say that your performance had merit.
Your choice of material let you down.
Yes, definitely duchess parts, regal roles.
I see you performing like an angel.
Angel? Is not that the term for a backer of theatrical enterprises?
Droll, very droll.
You have a lot to offer the theatre, Mrs Marble.
- Miss Marple! - I'm delighted to hear that.
The marital knot is often the bolt on the door to the room at the top.
Are you offering me employment, Mr Cosgood?
Well, as to that, not exactly employment.
I was thinking along the lines of an apprenticeship.
Unpaid?
Well, in a word, yes.
- I accept. - Splendid, splendid.
Welcome to the Cosgood Players.
Now as to lodgings, I prefer to live cheek by jowl with my colleagues.
Yes. We're at Westward Ho, Prescott Street.
Mrs Harris is an excellent landlady.
Good, well, I'll just pick up my baggage at the YMCA. Au revoir.
- Cosgood... - Drunk again!
Look here, George...
This man is not drunk, Mr Cosgood. He's dead.
POLICE BELL RINGS
TYRES SCREECH
- Poisoned. - Poisoned?
Poisoned. Arsenic, I'd say. The autopsy will prove it.
Nonsense! He drank too much. It's as plain as can be.
Were you on the stage when he came out from the dressing rooms?
Yes, yes. The curtain rises soon and I now have two roles to play.
- There is no curtain today. - My audience will tear the place up!
We'll risk it. I've got questions to ask.
- Questions? - A man is dead - it's usual.
- Damned inconvenient. - His dressing room?
Number two. Look, get George off the stage and return later.
No. Number two, you said?
- I knew something would happen. - Really?
Yes, I have premonitions about these things!
That's very interesting.
Well, I told George, as soon as I saw that strange woman.
- What woman? - She came to see Driffold.
- Driffold? - Driffold Cosgood, Inspector, me.
- What about her? - This strange woman, sir.
I'd just auditioned her when George interrupted.
- Is the lady here now, sir? - She'll be about...
- Oh, she's gone. - A name and description, Sergeant.
Now, any idea of this lady's name?
- I've seen this before. - Not that one, Inspector, this one.
"Remember September 1951. A rose by any other name would smell. Ring..."
Miss Marple! I asked you not to interfere.
- Inspector, that strange woman is... - Yes, Miss Marple. Allow me.
Sergeant, escort her to headquarters for a statement. I'll see her later.
After you, Sergeant.
Sergeant, are you sure you didn't mishear Miss Marple?
I did not, sir.
No, well. Come in please, Miss Marple.
Almost a draw, Sergeant.
Well, please, sit down.
All right, Miss Marple, let us suppose, just suppose,
that Mrs McGinty was blackmailing an actor
and this was the blackmail note she sent.
By all means.
It was by the whisky bottle in George's dressing room,
so she must have sent it to him.
That springs to mind.
- So she was blackmailing him. - It seems so.
If there's anything in what you say, he murdered her.
On the face of it, yes.
Do we suppose in a late fit of remorse he poisoned himself?
- Perhaps. - Or did someone else poison him?
Again, perhaps.
- Inspector, may I ask a question? - Please do.
If you had found that note in the victim's dressing room
and knew no more about it, what would you have made of the affair?
The man was being blackmailed and had decided to end it all.
Yes, as I thought.
It could be that the note was left on purpose, so you would think that.
Miss Marple, it's been a long day. What are you suggesting now?
I am suggesting that the murderer of Mrs McGinty
and the murderer of George Rowton are one and the same.
Who murdered George Rowton, I don't know... but I will.
As to who killed Mrs McGinty, I do know.
He is in Milchester jail awaiting a retrial,
necessitated by the stubbornness of a jury member.
He killed her for her money.
Ah, yes, that £100 that was found by her body...
Doesn't it occur to you, Inspector,
that it wasn't Mrs McGinty's savings at all, but her pay-off?
So whoever she was blackmailing brought the money, killed her,
then hearing the lodger, left it in panic?
- No. - Well then, what?
I propose that like the note, the money was left behind deliberately.
What for?
So that the police would leap to the conclusion they have leapt to.
Look...
If I were you, I would examine these people's bank accounts
to see if one of them happened to withdraw £100,
either on or about the time of Mrs McGinty's death.
I will investigate your theories.
In the meantime, go home to Milchester and stay there.
That is out of the question.
- My work keeps me here indefinitely. - Your work?
I have accepted an engagement with the Cosgood Players
and a Marple's word is her bond. Good day.
"Actor, playwright, impresario, a man of many talents..."
Might have used a better photo.
You should worry, it says here I'm 48!
Listen, " Lady Sheila, stage-struck adopted daughter of Lord Upward,
and bride to be of juvenile lead Bill Hanson, said" -
and I quote the quote -
"Our wedding will go ahead, daddy's very democratic." Bully for daddy.
- Arthur, you 're an absolute stinker. - Crawl back under your stone.
All good stuff. Absolutely no rubbish.
- Notoriety helps the box office. - Too true.
Have you read this, Ralph?
"Ralph Summers, matinee idol of Mother's Day,
now an ageing, overweight, barmaid fancier."
Let me see that!
You 're a nasty little joker.
That's very funny, and so true.
< That's a nice wifely thing to say.
Your taste does run to barmaids. There was that one at Milchester.
- Remember... - Shut up!
- Yes? - Your new one's here.
Dear lady, I feared we had created an unfortunate impression
in view of today's accident.
- No. I had business to attend to. - Well, you 're here.
Boys and girls, meet Miss Marple. Miss Marple, the company.
- Hello. - How do you do, everyone.
There's cocoa on the tray. Beer's extra.
Yes, of course, a nightcap. Do sit down.
Name your poison, dear lady. I mean...
Cocoa, please.
An excellent brew. I can recommend it.
By the way, the police are looking for you.
Yes, I have spoken to them.
- You have? - Thank you.
Why don't we revive A Kind Of Murder as a tribute to George?
Well, Miss Marple and Dorothy are perfect for the two scheming sisters.
- I couldn't play a murderess. < - Couldn't you?
One of us could. He or she's had practice.
What does that mean?
Well, someone slipped a noxious dose into old George's whisky...
...and that someone is in this room.
- Oh, belt up! - Oh, no, no, I'm not having this.
In front of a new colleague too!
There's no question of George being killed by a company member.
The whole thing is some ghastly mistake.
No, you 're wrong.
One of us is a murderer and you feel that too, don't you?
Well, my dear, it's hardly for me to say.
- Stop it! - Bill!
Stop talking about it. I can't stand it.
You know it was me! You and your insinuations and stupid sarcasm.
- What do you mean? - I'm going to finish you.
I will close your big mouth forever.
Bill!
Let go of me. Let me go!
SUDDEN LAUGHTER
- That had you going. - Well...
Your trouble is that you can dish out the jokes but you can't take them.
- I think that was in very bad taste. - Yes, so do I.
I'm sorry, I only wanted to upset him.
Well, you 've upset me.
For heaven's sake, I've had enough. I'm off to bed.
I'm tired myself. If I might be shown my room?
Oh, certainly, dear lady.
It's been a trying day. Very trying indeed.
Florrie! Florrie!
So glad to be one of you. Good night.
- Mrs Harris will show you up. - Come on then, number ten, upstairs.
Thank you, Mr Cosgood. Good night.
Don't take any notice, their hearts are in the right place.
- I'm sure they are. Good night. - Good night, dear lady.
You 'll soon feel at home. We're one big happy family.
I hope you know what you 're doing?
You 'll find this comfortable. He did.
- He? - The deceased. You know, Mr Rowton.
Breakfast is at 8:30. No cooking in the rooms.
Put a shilling in the gas if you 're cold.
Don't waste the light.
No male callers upstairs.
WARDROBE DOOR CREAKS
CAT MEOWS
Oh! Naughty pussy! Why are you in there?
Come along. Off you go.
Remember September?
- Eva? - Yes?
- What are you doing? - I couldn't sleep.
Why would that Marple woman want to sneak out of the house so early?
Oh, how should I know? Perhaps she's just eccentric.
She certainly looks it.
- I wonder... - Oh darling, don't go all creepy.
Really, you could haunt a house.
I wish you hadn't wakened me. Now I'll start fretting again.
- Put it out of your mind. - It's easier said than done.
Where can one go for a honeymoon? Everywhere is so old hat.
Hey, what do think about Moscow?
How can you after what's happened?
Life must go on, darling, George or no George.
You loved him, didn't you?
- No... it was all over. - Was it?
Yes. I hated him.
Don't worry, darling. I won't tell anyone.
Mr Stringer! What are you doing in that get-up?
Just training to get into peak condition for any emergency.
Is there one already?
No emergency, but a very interesting development.
Oh, do stop bobbing about and come over here.
Remember September.
Not a date, a play,
and by my new employer, Driffold Cosgood.
- You do see the significance? - No.
Follow me, Jim. Follow me closely.
It seems that whomever Mrs McGinty was blackmailing
must have had some connection with the production of this play in 1951
and is with the Cosgood Company.
- The author himself? - Perhaps.
- How did you get it? - It was on my pillow.
- What? - It was left there deliberately.
Then the murderer knows! He's been on to you all the time!
He's playing cat and mouse with you.
- Two can play at that game. - Miss Marple, I'm deeply disturbed.
- Don't get yourself in a state. - I'm not in a state... I'm cold.
Oh, dear me.
There we are.
That's better. Tuck it well round.
Now...
What organisation will keep a record
of all professional theatrical productions?
The censorship people.
The Lord Chamberlain's Office in London.
I'd be obliged if you would go there post-haste
and inquire into the play's history.
Where it was produced in 1951, who was in it and so on.
- It may have been in many theatres. - I hardly think so - I've read it.
Very well, I'll take the next train up.
Good. To your task and I must fly.
I wish to be at the table when they come down.
Away, away!
Thank you, Mrs Harris. I seem to be a trifle early.
No, the others are late. Not that I'm complaining.
If they're not down, I've got six cats to feed.
- Good morning, Florrie. - Good morning.
Good morning.
- Good morning. - I trust you slept well?
- Like a toff, thank you. - Good.
Nothing like sleep for knitting up the ravelled sleeve of care,
as the bard so aptly pointed out.
What do you find so engrossing?
- Your play, Mr Cosgood. - What?
This is your play?
Yes. Yes, it is.
- Where did you find this? - In my room last night.
- Now isn't that extraordinary? - Yes.
I assume poor George must have borrowed it. Don't let me stop you.
I've finished reading it.
Let's see how the good Florrie serves us today.
- How do you find it? - The kipper?
- The play. - Oh, I beg your pardon. The play.
I find it most interesting.
- How very gratifying. - Has it ever been produced?
- No. I completed it quite recently. - I see.
I have high hopes for it.
Those must sustain you.
They do, dear lady. They do.
Ah, Ralph!
I was up half the night thinking. I want to ask a question.
- Oh? - Yes.
Could you see Miss Marple as a lady detective?
I don't know any lady detectives.
- What do you think? - She's hardly typecasting.
You 're quite wrong. She's perfect.
- What do you mean? - I have an idea!
We close until Monday and let the publicity build up.
- We reopen with Out Of The Stewpot. - That old potboiler!
A murder mystery! We've got our own, why not put one on?
You may have a thought here.
With Miss Marple as the Honourable Penelope Brown.
Now I do see what you mean. Yes, by Jove, it's brilliant!
- You 're familiar with it of course? - No.
A classic of its kind. I'll get the scripts.
Ralph, call the theatre. We're rehearsing all week.
Mr Cosgood! I wouldn't think I'm anyone's idea of a detective.
Not anyone's, Miss Marple, but you 're mine. You 're certainly mine.
And mine.
Spotlight!
Get it on me... and keep it on me.
Now you 've all read the play. Let me put you in the mood.
The scene is a filthy attic in Soho
in the very heart of London's square mile of vice
and worse, a dim figure is flitting about the stage - that's you, Bill.
You are Sidney, assistant to Penelope Brown - that's you, Miss Marple.
Sidney is looking for something...
searching... searching... searching...
A noise! A step on the stair outside.
I'm about to enter with my delinquent son, Stanley - that's you, Arthur.
Arthur!
Sidney freezes, then darts to the place of concealment.
Sorry, guv. Testing.
You 're back!
All right, don't stand about grinning!
Just testing indeed. Now where was I?
Ah, yes. I come in with my son.
I beg him to tell the police about Rona La Plante's death.
He sneers at me... rejects me.
Then the scene's climax - I detect a movement behind the alcove curtain.
I cross to it, pull it aside to reveal...
...Sidney!
- What? - A call for Miss Marple.
Why didn't you say so?
All right, Miss Marple, you 're not wanted in this scene.
Take it from my entrance. Bill, you 're hidden over here.
Arthur, you and I come in.
You 're living here? A son of mine?
Hello? Yes, Mr Stringer.
You were right, Miss Marple. Remember September was put on in 1951 -
a try-out performance at Pebblestone-on-Sea.
Interesting, particularly as the author said
that he's only recently completed it.
That may have been embarrassment.
The Lord Chamberlain's Office recalls it
because it was booed off the stage halfway through.
That doesn't surprise me in the least.
The point is, was there anyone we know in it?
I have obtained a full cast list
and in it occurs the name of Margaret McGinty.
What? Really?
Excellent!
Now tell me, apart from Mr Cosgood,
who else in this company was connected with this production?
No one? Are you sure?
Yes.
All right, Jim. I was just thinking,
it's possible that someone has since changed his or her name.
Look, Jim, drop the cast list in to me at Westward Ho, will you?
Thank you. Goodbye.
Miss Marple. I'm sorry if I startled you.
- Mr Cosgood is asking for you. - Thank you. I'll go.
This was in props. It should do the job.
All right. Let's try it.
Ah, there you are.
We're doing the scene where you confront Ralph with the truth
about Rona La Plante's death.
Instead of him merely knocking over the lamp and escaping,
Ralph suggests he also tries to kill you.
Really!
He knocks over the lamp, shoots and then bolts.
- I see. - He misses, of course. >
Nothing like a loud report for keeping an audience alive.
GUNSHOT
- Do you find this alarming? - Oh, no. Not at all.
Good. Right, then let's set the scene.
Ralph, you 'll be over here, rifling the escritoire.
The Honourable Penelope enters through the French windows here.
Right! Positions, please.
Miss Marple, in, now.
Ah! I thought I'd find you here, Faber.
- You! - Yes, me!
Stay there.
Violence avails to nothing. The police are here.
- They've nothing on me. - Yes they have. You see...
You see, Mrs McGinty's dead!
You made a mistake, didn't you?
- You certainly did, dear lady. - What did I do?
- You said, "Mrs McGinty". - Did I?
Yes, it's Rona La Plante who's dead.
Yes, how silly of me.
I must have picked it up from your play, Remember September.
My play? There's nobody of that name in it.
How odd.
The name McGinty's on my mind, for some reason.
I know, it was that barmaid who was murdered at Milchester.
There was a trial last week.
Yes... that's it.
May I try it again please?
Yes, yes, only let's do it properly this time.
I'll do my best.
Positions, please.
All right, Ralph, make your move.
Seen this in the evening paper?
"Police Baffled In Theatre Mystery".
No, this. "Grand Charity Reopening Monday -
Driffold Cosgood proudly presents a murder drama...
First night proceeds in aid of the Police Benevolent Fund."
- A nice gesture. - I can hear the Chief agreeing.
- Have you got those bank statements? - Yes.
Well, did anyone draw out £100 about the time of Mrs McGinty's death?
- Yes, sir. - Well, who?
- The dead man, George Rowton. - Why didn't you say?
I just did, sir.
Well, well, well. It was as simple as that - suicide.
- There's a visitor for you. - Oh, thank you.
- In there. He's a male. - Oh, I see.
- Oh, Inspector. - Good evening, Miss Marple.
I missed you at the police station. I had no idea you were here.
- No, I'm sure. - Your visit is most inopportune.
At rehearsal today, I set in train a certain stratagem
which forces our murderer to make a move tonight.
I very much doubt it. Our murderer, as you put it, is dead.
Pardon?
George Rowton's bank statement -
item underlined, namely a withdrawal of £100.
So that explains it.
- I thought you 'd see. - Yes, indeed.
The motive for Rowton's murder had eluded me until now.
It wasn't murder. He killed himself.
- You think so? - It's obvious.
Mrs McGinty blackmailed him, he withdrew £100 to pay her off,
killed her and the money incriminated the lodger.
- That theory has a familiar ring. - What?
Oh, you did suggest something like that.
The point is, the lodger's innocent.
Rowton did it and took the easy way out. He couldn't stand the strain.
The case is closed. I'm off to tell the Chief Constable.
- I wouldn't do that. - Why not?
I think you 're wrong.
- You do. - Yes.
I think our murderer got the money to pay Mrs McGinty from George Rowton
in a way which made it necessary for Rowton to be later disposed of.
Only a woman's mind could dream that one up.
It may irritate you, Inspector, that women sometimes have superior minds.
You will simply have to accept it.
Oh, don't you need this?
Thank you.
- Good night, Miss Marple. - Good night, Inspector.
DOOR SLAMS
- Good evening. - Good evening.
THUDDING
CATS MEOW
Oh, that's where you are!
They do like to sleep on an empty bed.
Come on, your liver's nice and hot.
Dinner gong in two minutes. Come on, babies.
KNOCKING
Come in.
I was hoping to catch you before you went down.
- Were you? - I thought it was time for a chat.
That's it. Overture and beginners please. >
That means you.
- No males in rooms, madam. - Don't be absurd, boy.
Well, perhaps I can escort you down.
I'll give dinner a miss tonight.
I'm feeling a trifle queasy.
- Nothing incapacitating, I trust? - Oh, no. A good night's rest...
- Well... I'II... leave you. - Thank you.
Take care, dear lady. We mustn't be without you Monday, must we?
Come, Arthur.
TORRENTIAL RAIN
THUNDER
SUDDEN THUNDER CLAP
Oh, my dear. I was just...
Bitter almonds... cyanide!
Oh!
This is tragic, absolutely tragic.
We could open in two theatres and still be turning them away.
Now we're stuck without a housekeeper.
- You can't have it both ways. - We must! We owe it to Dorothy.
Eva, no. You 're already the good-time girl and the vicar's daughter.
Sheila, would you play the housekeeper if I got you a wig?
Oh, Driffy, you make me sick. You don't care about poor Dorothy.
All you care about is your play and your stupid old self
and no, I won't play the housekeeper!
All right, Miss Marple, cyanide gas, but how?
- I think I can explain that. - No doubt.
I assume that you did not have second thoughts
about seeing the Chief Constable.
- If you can explain, please do so. - Very well.
Now!
So what? My wife has one.
- But she doesn't cook candle wax. - No, she doesn't.
There is a little in that saucepan.
Now this is what happened.
The murderer set the dials so that the gas came on
at 12:55 precisely under this saucepan
that contained a small wax cup of acid and a pellet of sodium cyanide.
The wax melted, the acid flowed over the pellet.
Result: A sudden release of cyanide gas. Lethal.
I see.
At one o'clock precisely, the gas turned itself off...
...now!
Leaving nothing but an innocent saucepan on the hob.
Yes. That means whoever it is must have specialist knowledge.
No, it's exactly the same murder method used in our play on Monday -
Out Of The Stewpot.
So any one of the company could have done it.
The way things are now I am tempted to arrest everybody.
- Really? - Yes, really.
What you, what we've found out... Iook at what we've got:
Cosgood said he'd just written Remember September,
but it was produced in 1951.
Victim one, Mrs McGinty, was in it.
This fellow, Summers, we know he took Mrs McGinty out
when the company was in Milchester, the week she was killed.
His wife, Maureen, knew and she didn't like it.
Then there's this spooky girl, Eva.
She was dating victim number two, George Rowton,
and he tossed her aside like a...
- Worn-out glove, sir? - Yes.
Then there's Arthur - that note was typed on his typewriter
and as a result, victim number three.
There is a point here.
In 1951, the company's younger members would have been children.
Yes, if that performance of Remember September in 1951
started all this, then none of those youngsters -
Eva, Bill, Sheila, Arthur - had anything to do with it.
Anyone could have gone into Arthur's room and used the typewriter.
KNOCKING
- He's here. - What?
- He's here, sir. - Oh, yes.
- Please wait here a moment. - Wait?
Sergeant.
I wonder why the iron was hot?
What are you doing here?
You asked me to drop in the cast list of Remember September.
You were passing at 2:30 in the morning? Come now.
Well, as a matter of fact, the Inspector kindly sent a car.
He thought I might succeed in persuading you...
- To desert my post? - This is a dangerous place.
- These are dangerous people. - Only one of them.
- The time has come for plain speak. - Please, Jim, I'm thinking.
It's here that the answer lies.
Driffold Cosgood, Ralph Summers, Margaret McGinty, Rose Kane.
Rose.
Mr Stringer, we have here in addition to Margaret McGinty,
an actress called Rose Kane.
Sorry, I don't understand.
Don't you see? " A rose by any other name would smell".
- The blackmail note. - Oh!
Mr Stringer, tomorrow I must do some digging.
- Digging? - Yes, into the past.
You mean this Rose Kane?
Yes.
You remember her well, Mr Tumbrill.
- What is your interest in her? - I want to trace her.
I've been outside the profession for many years and so the only way I...
If you 're an old friend of hers, you 're in for a shock.
- Oh? - Poor Rosie was hanged.
- What? - Yes.
Terrible business, terrible business. Oh, will you?
Not so soon after breakfast, thank you. You were saying?
Oh, yes, I shall never forget it.
She opened in this play, somewhere in the sticks.
It was a unique flopperoo, it didn't even run the night.
Anyhow, on the same night, believe it or not, she poisoned her husband.
- Did she indeed? - Yes, she did.
She sent her kid out to buy half-a-pound of garlic sausage.
- Then doctored it with weedkiller. - There was a child?
Must have been 10 or 11 at the time.
- Boy or girl? - Never saw the kid myself.
Can't even recall its name.
Some friend took it in for a bit then popped it into an orphanage.
That friend, was her name McGinty?
Yes. Maggie McGinty, blonde, flighty.
Why ever did Rose do it?
- Usual thing - another man. - Who was he?
He never came forward and she never named him.
- It could be the lover or the child. - Eh?
I wonder if I might have this photograph as a keepsake?
Oh, by all means. Yes, by all means.
One of mine that got away.
I won't take up any more of your time.
Allow me.
- Evelyn! - I beg your pardon?
Rose's kid. Evelyn was the name.
Evelyn.
Nothing like champagne for a champagne occasion.
Uncommonly civil of you, dear lady.
- What about a toast? - Of course, of course.
To success, to us, all of us
and particularly to our hostess, long life, dear lady!
Oh, Mr Cosgood, such lovely flowers.
- Who's that? - What?
She was an actress called Rose Kane. Why do you ask?
I don't know, but somehow she means death.
It's something to do with George.
Five minutes, boys and girls. The party's over.
All you have to do is speak clearly,
do not trip over and we'll run longer than The Mousetrap.
See you on stage, dear lady.
Don't forget, it's Rona La Plante who's dead.
Well, Driffold, tonight's the night.
- It most certainly is. Got the gun? - Yes.
- Why does she want to see us, sir? - I don't know.
KNOCKING
Come in.
Well, Miss Marple?
Good evening, Inspector.
There's something you should know before you see the play.
Oh, what?
I think our murderer will try to kill me again tonight.
Again?
The first attempt failed.
Poor Dorothy perished instead.
What are you talking about?
The iron was hot, you see. I burnt my hand.
No, I don't see.
When I entered Dorothy's room that night
there was washing on the line.
I think she did her ironing later and forgot to switch off.
Then in the night she remembered and went to the kitchen to do so.
She walked into a trap meant for you?
That note was left outside my door deliberately to lure me down.
We are going to stay right here
and not let Miss Marple out of our sight.
You mustn't do that. We must put no obstacle in the way.
- You can't be serious? - Never more so.
You see, our murderer set a trap for me.
I have just returned the compliment.
KNOCKING
- Miss Marple, I've brought the... - Let me have it, Mr Stringer.
- Thank you. - What's that?
Life insurance, Inspector. Life insurance.
Beginners on stage please! >
Please excuse me, gentlemen.
< We've been through that.
< You know I have committed myself to this way of life.
< I won't give it up.
- You 're living here, a son of mine! - I live where I choose.
Come in, Eva.
Now, don't scream.
Don't speak. I'm taking you somewhere where we won't be interrupted.
If you do anything, I'll kill you.
Now, open that door!
Two years in jail, what's that? It might be the making of you. >
You think the police are fools, Stanley.
Perhaps some of them are but not all, son, not all. >
If anyone tries to come through here,
I want to know who it is and what he wants.
Very good, sir.
Hey, what's this about?
Miss Marple, I've covered every...
Sergeant!
- Sheila, have you seen Ralph? - No.
- Where is she? - In her room.
She isn't, you idiot. We have to find her.
Look, Dad, can't we cut this short?
I'm expecting a visitor in...
...in a few moments.
RAUCOUS LAUGHTER
One of your worthless friends no doubt.
It's the girl I'm going to marry if you must know.
Look at me!
What's the matter with you?
I want you to know why you 're going to die.
I want to know that too.
You killed him. I don't know why, but you killed him.
- You mean George Rowton, don't you? - Yes.
You were in love with him.
Yes, I loved him and you killed him.
No, you 're mistaken, my dear.
He was killed by someone called Evelyn Kane.
I don't believe you.
I know it was you. I've felt it was you from the start.
You can't do it, Eva! You 're no more capable of murder than I am.
LAUGHTER
You were right, she couldn't have done it.
A pity, I thought she might have saved me the trouble.
- Aren't you supposed to be on stage? - I am, Miss Marple.
Hundreds of people will swear I am, hiding behind the curtain.
It's very simple really.
Remember Cosgood dropping through the trap?
Well, I've done the same.
In exactly three minutes I shall be back on stage on cue,
but you, I'm sorry to say, will not be answering yours.
You 're Evelyn Kane, aren't you? Rose Kane's son.
Oh, yes.
Evelyn, what a name. I soon changed that.
The McGinty woman found that out.
When you were playing in Milchester,
she recognised you and as you were marrying an heiress,
she saw a chance for blackmail.
She threatened to tell Sheila's father unless I paid her...
...so I kept her quiet.
- Where could I find the money? - George Rowton.
She wanted £100, so I forged George's name on a cheque.
I couldn't let him find out, could I?
So they both had to die.
Poor old Dorothy...
...that was meant for you, of course.
I had meant to wring your neck, but Eva's been very obliging.
Her fingerprints are on that and I'm on stage.
Wait!
I borrowed this from Mr Summers.
You can't fool me with a prop gun filled with blanks.
Oh, no, not blanks. A friend of mine procured me some insurance.
- I'll risk it. - I will warn you.
I won the Ladies Small Arms Championships at Bisley in 1924.
Bully for you.
Oh!
Shush! I thought I heard something.
Come out!
Bill, you stupid...
Inspector.
Oh, dear.
With rest and some luck,
the doctor says I will be out in a few days.
Splendid. I'm thankful the blow caused no permanent damage.
- Now if you 'll excuse me. - Thank you, Miss Marple.
There is one thing you might like to know.
As a result of my work on this case,
I'm to be promoted to Chief Inspector.
Oh, I'm so glad. Congratulations.
Yes, well, thank you, Miss Marple.
Not at all, Inspector, Chief Inspector.
Au revoir.
Forgive me if I fail to rise, dear lady.
I quite understand, Mr Cosgood.
I've brought you magazines to help while away the time.
Ah, yes, time, time.
I've been lying here contemplating a bleak future unless...
Unless?
Have you given any thought to my play, Remember September?
It has been rather on my mind.
Dear lady, I have a confession to make. I left the script in your room.
- Really? - Yes, I hoped it would impress you.
- It did. - Good.
With minor alterations in the second act,
I have a very valuable property.
I'm so happy for you, Mr Cosgood.
- There is, however, one little snag. - Oh?
Yes, it's sordid, of course, when dealing with the arts,
but a play, whatever its merits, requires a backer.
Mr Cosgood, whatever I may or may not be,
I am definitely no angel!
Goodbye and good luck.
ENGLISH SDH