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Why Miss Marple for Third Time

victoria_jones_1 30 Sep 08 at 6:36 p.m. GMT

Why are they re-making the Miss Marples for the third time?  Actually fourth if you count Margaret Rutherford.  Why on earth don't they adapt some of the Superintendant Battle books?  Although the last Marple I saw Towards Zero was but he wasn't memtioned and they put Miss Marple in there instead.

There are other books that Agatha wrote that I think would make really good films for instance one of my favourites (as you can tell from my name) is Towards Zero.  I will pass over the terrible adaptation of Man in the Brown Suit (another one of  my favourites)

What about Parker Pyne and Harley Quinn?  There were some short stories shot for the Agatha Christie Hour in the 80's one hour episodes - I do wish they would re-show them I have two on video Case of the Discontented Soldier and In A Glass Darkly but cannot find the others - think they were maybe deleted?

Anyway, I'm rambling on a bit now but hopefully you can see my point.

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6 replies

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Tommy_A_Jones 25 Dec 08 at 4:14 p.m. GMT

That is a very good idea Aurora as at the end of Murder Mysteries these days we see a preview of what is coming in the next Episode. Another thing they could do is forget about the Club aspect and Miss Marple knows someone in the story personally or in the case of a couple she goes to stay where the incident takes place and in each case she might or mighbt not mention the person related to that story.

Aurora 24 Dec 08 at 5:13 p.m. GMT

The short stories could be done with a cliffhanger at the end of each. The "who's next" could tell you who and the title but leave it over for the next week or episode. It would mean ITV would have to screen them close enough together that we hadn't forgotten the last one but they should do that anyway. I like the idea of one hour, flashbacks and Miss M coming in with questions and comments at stategic times (a bit like David Duchovny in The Red Shoe Diaries). It would allow an ensemble cast for the storytellers around the table but lots of other actors as well. I think it could add something if done well. Any thoughts?

Tommy_A_Jones 24 Dec 08 at 12:55 p.m. GMT

I can't see why you would think the short stories would be difficult to film, the beginninging of the 13 Problems might be a bit monotonous - except the last "Now then who's next?" sort of thing or there could be another way, I will have to listen to the Audio Cassette and have a think and tell you what I think.

squatty 23 Dec 08 at 6:27 p.m. GMT

I think it would be pretty hard to film the short stories (even though I'd love to see someone have a go) because they tend to be Miss Marple sitting in an armchair and solving the mystery after someone has narrated the story to her.

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Dec 08 at 4:07 p.m. GMT

I understand what you are saying Victoria and I agree with what you say about the Battle Books and I was horrified that Not only Miss Marple was in Toward Zero but that Battle wasn't and nor was the Scotsman, I wish they would do the Battle books properly and others, I would love to see The Man in The Brown Suitd Endless Night and Murdere Is Easy both done properly and I would LOVE it if Julia McKenzie re-did the episodes Geraldine McKewan did - except from the ones which aren't Marple stories but I realise I am in a minority. I would also love it if the Miss Marple short stories were done

squatty 05 Oct 08 at 10:44 a.m. GMT

I dont think they are actually remaking any on the ones Geraldine McEwan starred in. There were a few Miss Marples that GM hadn't yey done and now they are being produced with Julia McKenzie in the title role.