- 3/27/2024
#watchtv http://www.youtube.com/@WatchTV-js2oo
The Blackbird Mine was found by a Mr McKenzie and suspected of containing gold. Rex Fortescue investigated the land after investing capital in it, then left McKenzie there to die, returning alone and owning the land that he felt was of no value. Mrs McKenzie had subsequently blamed Rex for her husband's death, promising to teach her children to avenge their father. Both the Inspector and Miss Marple suspect that the daughter is in the household under another name, as the son died in the war. The Inspector suspects Mary Dove, the housekeeper, and tells her so; later, Jennifer Fortescue, wife of Percy, tells Miss Marple that she was the McKenzies' daughter, and the Inspector confirms it. Jennifer put out the dead blackbirds near Rex to remind him of his past offence; Miss Marple realizes this gave the theme to the murderer. Dove immediately blackmails Jennifer; Inspector Neele says if Dove pays the money back, he will not charge her.
Miss Marple explains to Inspector Neele who killed Rex Fortescue: Gladys, who put the poison in the marmalade believing it was a truth drug, and the rye in his pocket, at the direction of her boyfriend, Albert Evans. The unattractive Gladys was very easy to persuade to assist him, never questioning his motives and flattered by his attentions. Miss Marple explains that Albert Evans is really Lance Fortescue, who wants the deed to the Blackbird Mine, as uranium has been found there. He arranged the murder of his father to stop the loss of cash and to deal only with his brother. He murdered his stepmother because she would inherit a large amount of money, but only if she lived thirty days after her husband, and he killed Gladys so she would not talk, leaving the clothes pin to match the line in the rhyme.
When Miss Marple returns home, a letter from Gladys waylaid in the post awaits her. She explains all she did and begs Miss Marple's help, as she does not know what to do, and encloses a photo of her and her Albert – clearly Lance Fortescue. Inspector Neele's case will be very strong.
The Blackbird Mine was found by a Mr McKenzie and suspected of containing gold. Rex Fortescue investigated the land after investing capital in it, then left McKenzie there to die, returning alone and owning the land that he felt was of no value. Mrs McKenzie had subsequently blamed Rex for her husband's death, promising to teach her children to avenge their father. Both the Inspector and Miss Marple suspect that the daughter is in the household under another name, as the son died in the war. The Inspector suspects Mary Dove, the housekeeper, and tells her so; later, Jennifer Fortescue, wife of Percy, tells Miss Marple that she was the McKenzies' daughter, and the Inspector confirms it. Jennifer put out the dead blackbirds near Rex to remind him of his past offence; Miss Marple realizes this gave the theme to the murderer. Dove immediately blackmails Jennifer; Inspector Neele says if Dove pays the money back, he will not charge her.
Miss Marple explains to Inspector Neele who killed Rex Fortescue: Gladys, who put the poison in the marmalade believing it was a truth drug, and the rye in his pocket, at the direction of her boyfriend, Albert Evans. The unattractive Gladys was very easy to persuade to assist him, never questioning his motives and flattered by his attentions. Miss Marple explains that Albert Evans is really Lance Fortescue, who wants the deed to the Blackbird Mine, as uranium has been found there. He arranged the murder of his father to stop the loss of cash and to deal only with his brother. He murdered his stepmother because she would inherit a large amount of money, but only if she lived thirty days after her husband, and he killed Gladys so she would not talk, leaving the clothes pin to match the line in the rhyme.
When Miss Marple returns home, a letter from Gladys waylaid in the post awaits her. She explains all she did and begs Miss Marple's help, as she does not know what to do, and encloses a photo of her and her Albert – clearly Lance Fortescue. Inspector Neele's case will be very strong.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The End
00:30The End
01:00Oh my God
01:23Now remember to lock up Daisy
01:49And don't forget the pantry window
01:51Good night, ma'am
01:52Thank you, Lynch
01:53Thank you
01:54Directly, ma'am
01:55Excuse me, sir
02:08What is it?
02:10It's the gate, sir
02:11The perimeter generally
02:11Swarming with press
02:12I don't recommend shaking the trees
02:14You'd have photographers dropping around
02:15You're like ripe plums
02:16Get onto the local station
02:18Tell them I want some extra men fast
02:19What did the doc say, sir?
02:22Another poisoning
02:23Cyanide this time
02:25In the tea
02:25Instantaneous
02:26Ah, Miss Dove
02:31Good, thank you
02:32Are you all right?
02:46Yes
02:47It was you that found her, wasn't it?
02:51Yes
02:52I want you to tell me
03:08What happened
03:10I'm only trying to do the job, you know
03:15Come on
03:15How to go
03:16Never mind, Joe
03:18Officer
03:19Officer
03:19Officer
03:20Don't talk
03:22And lady
03:24If you do not respect the integrity of this property
03:26Then we shall make arrests
03:27There'll be no other warning
03:28Yes, please
03:29I can only repeat
03:32There is no evidence as yet to confirm
03:34That Mrs. Fortescue's death
03:35Is connected with that of her husband yesterday
03:37We'll keep you in touch with all developments
03:39Now, gentlemen, please
03:41Relative of a family, is it, madam?
03:49Er, well, not exactly
03:50No, it's the maid Gladys I'm connected with
03:53I see
03:54Well, only relatives are allowed, madam
03:55And they're to be vetted
03:56Yeah, but it's very important
03:57Her name is Gladys
03:59I, er
04:00Well, I understand from the papers
04:02That Inspector Neill is in charge of the case
04:04Now, could you get a message to him?
04:07Yes, madam
04:07Well, will you tell
04:09Now, this is very important
04:10No, I tell you what, no
04:12I'll, I'll, I'll write
04:13I'll, er
04:14I'll write him a note
04:15Yes, madam
04:17Yes
04:20Yes
04:23Sorry, sir
04:25Someone just arrived at the gate
04:27A Miss Marple
04:28Going on about the maid Gladys, sir
04:30So
04:32Say she wants to be let in, sir
04:35For God's sake
04:37Fair enough
04:37Good
04:38Thought I was to give you this, sir
04:40The old lady was most insistent
04:41Thank you
04:43So, you ordered tea
04:49For 4.30
04:51And then you went upstairs
04:52What time did you come downstairs again?
04:55Tea time
04:56When I got onto the landing
04:59I don't know why
05:01Something in the garden
05:02Caught my attention
05:03Gordon
05:03Go ahead
05:03Go ahead
05:04I got to see you
05:05slopesublic
05:05umber
05:06How did you think of it?
05:07What?
05:08Turns out
05:22You treelage?
05:23组 upiserate
05:24Yes
05:25Yes, yes it is
05:26Hold on
05:26Let go
05:26ľ afi
05:27Oh, no.
05:30Yes.
05:32What?
05:33Believe me!
05:35You too, no!
05:44Who was it, Gladys?
05:46Wrong number, Miss Dove.
05:48Is tea ready?
05:50Mr Lance will be here any minute.
05:52Yes, Miss Dove.
05:57As I was spared any further matrimonial warfare between Percival and poor Jennifer,
06:07I went back to sort out the guest room before coming down again to clear the table for the tea tray.
06:12Gladys still hadn't arrived.
06:15Adele was getting impatient.
06:17Where is everyone this afternoon? Where's Jennifer?
06:20I think she's...
06:22She and Mr Percival had a disagreement.
06:25What a surprise.
06:28Rex has left her 40 grand, did you know?
06:31I expect you do.
06:33Anyway, Percival is registering his displeasure.
06:36A wife with independent means.
06:41Anyway, go and fetch her. There's a duck, Miss Dove, will you?
06:45I've got to teach her to stand up to that husband of hers.
06:49Mind you, how do you stand up to a glass of cold water?
06:56Oh, Mrs Fortescue is expecting you, Mrs Percival.
06:59Thank you, Miss Dove.
07:01Oh, Gladys.
07:03Why Gladys had suddenly abandoned the tea tray, I can't imagine.
07:08I've no doubt I'll be treated to a string of lame excuses later on.
07:11Hello.
07:12Don't tell me.
07:14You must be the excellent Miss Dove.
07:15Yes.
07:16I am the excellent Miss Dove.
07:17You must be Mr Fortescue.
07:19Do you have any more luggage?
07:20Just this.
07:21Here.
07:22Really?
07:23There's no need.
07:24This was heading for the drawing room, I believe.
07:25This was heading for the drawing room, I believe.
07:26Oh, Gladys.
07:27Oh, Gladys.
07:28Why Gladys had suddenly abandoned the tea tray, I can't imagine.
07:29I've no doubt I'll be treated to a string of lame excuses later on.
07:31Hello.
07:32Don't tell me.
07:33You must be the excellent Miss Dove.
07:34Yes, I am the excellent Miss Dove.
07:36You must be Mr Fortescue.
07:37Do you have any more luggage?
07:38Just this.
07:39Here.
07:40Oh, really?
07:41There's no need.
07:42This was heading for the drawing room, I believe.
07:50Mrs Fortescue and Mrs Fortescue.
07:52What a pleasure.
07:53I come bearing gifts.
07:54The Throi Gras sandwiches, I must say, are spectacularly absent.
07:57But we have bread, we have honey, we have fondants and fancies.
08:01We'll manage, I dare say.
08:02Oh, Gladys, it is good to see you.
08:05And you must be my beautiful stepmother, Adele.
08:10And after tea, Fortescue left the room first?
08:19Yes, Lance left first.
08:21I gather he went up to see Miss Henderson, his aunt.
08:25I heard Mrs Percival leave almost immediately.
08:29So Mrs Fortescue was left alone?
08:32Presumably.
08:34And the man in the garden?
08:36Well, I assume that must have been Lance Fortescue.
08:40No, no.
08:41Couldn't have been.
08:42His train was left.
08:43Didn't arrive till 4.34.
08:44It's five minutes by taxi at least from the station.
08:49Tell me, the person you heard moving about upstairs?
08:54I'm almost certain it was Adele's room.
08:58Quite honestly, it sounded like a man.
09:00Oh, dear, oh, dear.
09:03Well, my only poor consolation, and it is a very poor one,
09:06I'm almost certainly too late anyway.
09:09So you'll be leaving now, ma'am, will you?
09:11Oh, no, no, no, no.
09:13Certainly not.
09:26Come in.
09:29Hello, Percival.
09:31Still swatting.
09:32I wish I had something to take my mind off this horrible business.
09:49I think they're gonna serve supper.
09:51Oh, I expect so.
09:53Yes.
09:55By the way, Pat has insisted on coming down tonight.
09:59Is that all right?
10:01Well, I hope you don't mind.
10:03It's your house now, isn't it?
10:06Of course your wife's welcome.
10:08Thanks.
10:10There.
10:12We are being civil to each other at least.
10:18Yes, we are.
10:24Well, that old pussy outside the gate won't.
10:33Oh, my goodness.
10:45Sing a song of sixpence.
10:47What's that supposed to mean?
10:50I think the old girl's got an attic to rent, frankly.
10:57Ah.
11:10Mrs. Adele Fortescue.
11:12Love letters.
11:20Scented or steamy?
11:26Always in my thoughts, Vivian.
11:30Dubois.
11:31That's what he was after.
11:33Dubois.
11:35A man in the garden.
11:37What a gold rush.
11:49Grand Canyon.
11:50He's a weird wizard who can't, not only do, hair or oil
12:01From what he went after.
12:03Oh, that's old.
12:05I think it's still there for some reason.
12:06OK, wait a minute.
12:09Yeah, you sign it yourself.
12:10That's true.
12:12Always.
12:14What a gold rush!
12:16The Ultimately product.
12:17Where's the missus, then?
12:19She won't be a minute. She's just remembered the washing.
12:47She's dead! Strangle her on the back!
13:03Who are you talking about, Mrs Crump?
13:05Gladys. Oh, Gladys!
13:08Oh, no, she's got clothes.
13:11Mrs Crump, what are you saying?
13:14They put clothes peg on her!
13:21No.
13:33Hey.
13:35Have you gotten a note from the old lady?
13:44A maid was in the garden, hanging out the clothes.
13:49Along came a blackbird and pecked off her nose.
13:53The murderer, rising in the light, killeth the poor and needy.
14:00And in the night, is as a thief.
14:07Where a testament is...
14:10There must also, of necessity, be the death of the testator.
14:16Yes.
14:18Poor Gladys.
14:20Poor Gladys.
14:21I trained her, you know.
14:22Do you want us to put you into a hotel, madam?
14:23Nonsense.
14:24She'll be staying here.
14:25That's most kind of you.
14:26There you are, Miss.
14:27Oh, thank you.
14:29Oh, thank you.
14:30There you are, Miss Barbara.
14:31Oh, thank you.
14:32What's your pleasure?
14:33poor daddy's I trained her you know do you want us to put you into a hotel madam nonsense she'll
14:44be staying here that's most kind of you
15:03Gladys came to me from the orphanage she was very keen on men for a girl but I'm afraid men didn't take much notice of her and the other girls rather made use of her she enjoyed going to the cinema and she was always dreaming things that couldn't possibly happen to her
15:24a poor girl had obviously seen something or noticed something I feel to blame makes me very very angry you know especially that business of the clothes peg to cruel and contemptuous gesture you understood the significance of the nursery rhyme inspector did you and it's broad outline eventually Rex meaning King in his counting hours
15:54by extension of course his wife becomes the queen the queen was in the parlor was she eating bread and honey I don't know the poor maid was in the garden hanging out the clothes you see the first verse is the difficulty we have the pocket full of rye but I don't understand the blackbirds I can see no point in them
16:22however it must mean something don't you think
16:25the birds began to say
16:29honey Miss Marple
16:32at tea time
16:34come to think of it no
16:36there's usually some savoury sandwiches
16:39occasionally bread and jam
16:41then some cake
16:43and biscuits only when Mrs Crump has been baking
16:45no
16:47I think it's the only time we'd had honey
16:50that's very interesting
16:52thank you Miss Dahl
16:53thank you Miss Dahl
17:02I've cleared Adele's there sir
17:03who benefits
17:05that is a question
17:07from killing Gladys nobody as far as I can see
17:12Rex
17:14well Adele was going to get a hundred thousand pounds from his will but
17:19who else
17:22Percival gets most of the estate
17:25things were going wrong with the business
17:27and he looks as if the old man was responsible
17:30yep
17:32Percival benefits
17:35and his missus
17:37yeah not too keen on her husband stands to get forty thousand pounds in her own right
17:41that would buy her freedom from her purse
17:43she benefits
17:45Lance Fortescue
17:47he gets twenty percent of the residue
17:49which may not be all that much when all's said and done
17:54besides he was out of the country when the first murder took place
17:58Dubois
18:00certainly
18:01if he knew Adele was going to get a hundred thousand pounds he's not exactly discreet he must have known
18:08he benefits from killing Rex
18:11but where's the benefit in killing the lovely Adele
18:17did she leave a will? did you find anything in that lot?
18:21no sir
18:22it's Dancil and Worrell's just off the high street
18:29Adele didn't trust the family solicitor
18:31I don't blame her
18:32bloody Billingsby's in Percy's pocket
18:34do you happen to know what was in Mrs Fortescue's will madam?
18:41well if I were you
18:43I'd try the dormy house hotel
18:46or the golf club
18:50listen does anybody fancy a nightcap?
18:55oh all right be boring then
19:04I suppose it had been going on for oh over a year anyway
19:35then
19:38last summer someone scooped out the inside of one of Mrs Crump's raised pies
19:42and stuffed it with dead birds
19:44and they were blackbirds too were they?
19:47I suppose so
19:49it was quite revolting nobody was particularly concerned to establish the species
19:54wasn't that a dainty dish to set before the king?
19:59oh good morning Mr Fortescue
20:04you told me house hotel?
20:10I went in one
20:12you left the hotel about 3.30 and you returned about 5.00?
20:18yes
20:19and your route took you nowhere near Newtree Lodge
20:25as I told you
20:27I went across the heath
20:29round by the sandpits
20:31and back through Curzon Woods
20:33as you told us
20:36and you take this walk for your pleasure
20:39yes
20:40I wanted to think about Mrs Fortescue
20:42what was your relationship with Mrs Fortescue?
20:49we were friends
20:50friends?
20:51she led me to believe that she was quite fond of me
21:01I liked her but she was married
21:04you didn't see much future for the affair
21:07no quite frankly I didn't
21:09so it was an affair we're talking about
21:19tell me Mr Dubois
21:22what did you mean when you wrote
21:25when things are different
21:27all this will seem very small and far away
21:31where the hell did you get that?
21:32what things would be different?
21:35you wrote this two weeks ago
21:37presumably you can remember
21:43quite frankly
21:44it suggests to me
21:45a future without Mr Fortescue
21:48and that means one of two things
21:50either Mrs Fortescue will leave her husband
21:53or her husband will somehow depart from the scene
21:57wouldn't you agree?
21:58you can't build up a case against me inspector
22:03she made a will you know
22:05left you all her money
22:08everything she possessed
22:10I don't want the money
22:11I didn't want a penny of it
22:13of course
22:14isn't very much
22:15jewellery
22:16few furs
22:18I imagine very little cash at all
22:21but I thought her husband
22:24did you Mr Dubois
22:27that's very interesting
22:29I wondered if you knew
22:30the terms of Rex Fortescue's will
22:39oh
22:40oh inspector
22:42uh yes miss ma'am
22:43blackbirds
22:46yes ma'am
22:47you are interested in blackbirds I take it
22:50well I'm more interested in
22:53Mr Dubois at present
22:55oh dear me no
22:56no do forgive me inspector
22:57but you must get to the bottom of this blackbird business
23:01Rex Fortescue was the victim of a series of disgusting practical jokes
23:06someone put dead blackbirds
23:08some of them quite decayed
23:10well on his desk or on his pillow where they could
23:13so you see the blackbirds must mean something
23:17do you know they even put some in a pie
23:20I'll make some inquiries ma'am
23:23oh yes
23:25that is a relief
23:26thank you inspector
23:31oh inspector
23:33I wonder if you would allow me to have a brief look at Gladys's room
23:40how could I say no
23:42oh thank you yes
23:44and I know that you'll find the blackbirds very well worth your while
23:48yes
23:52I'm beginning to wonder who's in charge of this case
23:54I'll take the family you take the staff
23:57I'll take the family you take the staff
24:24is
24:29is
24:31I'm
24:33I'm
24:35I'm
24:37on
24:41in
24:50on
24:52I wonder, can you tell me anything about blackbirds, Mrs Fortescue?
25:11Blackbirds? Blackbirds, Inspector, what kind of blackbirds?
25:16Well, just blackbirds, Mrs Fortescue, dead, alive or indifferent.
25:20I've been told they've figured in the life of this household.
25:25In a pie, for example.
25:28I don't know anything about that.
25:32A very nasty, practical joke, I suppose.
25:36It annoyed Rex, really did.
25:40He had Heinrich, that's the gardener, patrol the grounds with a shotgun.
25:45He was afraid of something, not just annoyed.
25:48Oh, quite.
25:50I just think it was a silly joke.
25:57Can you tell me why your late father-in-law left you so much money in your own right?
26:03I asked him for it.
26:05Asked him for it?
26:06Yes.
26:07Just like that?
26:07Yes.
26:08And he gave it to you?
26:10Yes.
26:12I said, Rex, when you die, will you leave me a little money of my own?
26:18Because Percival is so mean.
26:21And Rex said, yes.
26:23So you're going to get your money?
26:25Yes.
26:27Isn't it nice?
26:27Tell me, your late father-in-law's death, what were your feelings about that?
26:39I think I was quite pleased, really.
26:44We were...
26:46I was going to get my money, after all.
26:49After all?
26:51Sorry?
26:53I was going to get my money.
26:56I see.
26:58So you weren't sorry?
27:00Oh, no.
27:01He was a horrid man, you know.
27:03No wonder it's called the Gutter Press.
27:14I can't believe it's us they're writing about.
27:17I'm sorry, my darling.
27:19I'm bad luck.
27:21I warned you, you know.
27:23Don't say that.
27:24You're not to say that.
27:25It's bloody nonsense.
27:26You're the best luck I ever had.
27:40What is it, darling?
27:43Nothing.
27:51What is it, Lance?
27:56Look here, old thing.
27:59I don't think I can face this idea of being a death squaller, you know.
28:03I really don't.
28:05I mean, it's clear that Percival doesn't want me around the place.
28:08I see.
28:10Then what are you going to do?
28:13I want to go back to Africa, Pat.
28:15I hate this place.
28:17Let's go back.
28:18But how would we manage?
28:23Come in.
28:24Ah, good.
28:28Uh, Mr. Fortescue, I...
28:29I wonder if you could help me.
28:33Um, will you excuse me, Inspector?
28:38Why don't you join us later, Lance?
28:40What?
28:41Miss Marple and me.
28:43For coffee.
28:46Oh, yes, good.
28:47Why not?
28:48Yes, Inspector.
28:55What is it?
28:56Well, sir, I've been asking everybody this.
28:58I...
28:59I might as well ask you, even though you've been abroad.
29:04Uh...
29:05I wonder, could you...
29:06Could you tell me anything about blackbirds?
29:13Blackbirds?
29:15Oh, you must mean the old blackbird mine.
29:18The one that Father caught a cold over.
29:20He got taken for a ride by some old digger up on the high veldt or somewhere.
29:26There was no gold in the thing, and Father Damney died of malaria for his pains.
29:31There was some scandal about his partner, who actually did die of malaria.
29:35His widow tried to sue him, I think.
29:38Well, Aunt Effie, you know the details.
29:40I don't believe this was ever a happy house, in spite of all the money that's been spent.
29:50But only money, I suspect.
29:52No real affection.
29:54No.
29:56Have you noticed how nothing is really what it seems?
30:00The furniture is supposed to be Louis Sayers, but it's been made in Birmingham.
30:05The paintings are supposed to be Venetian, but they were probably knocked up in Chelsea last week.
30:10Nothing is solid or real.
30:12As if the whole house and everything in it were some kind of gigantic fake.
30:19What did you say, my dear?
30:21About it being a fake?
30:23The whole house and everything that goes on in it.
30:28I said everything in it, not that goes on in it.
30:33Oh, yes, of course.
30:35Stupid of me.
30:40I wondered, ma'am, if you could tell me anything about the Blackbird Mine.
30:48Oh.
30:50You got on to that, have you?
30:52That was the Marple Woman, wasn't it?
30:56I'll tell you.
30:59My late brother-in-law went into it with a man called Mackenzie.
31:04They went out to Africa together, and Mackenzie died there.
31:08Rex came home.
31:09He subsequently admitted that the thing was worthless.
31:15Hurt his pride, I think.
31:17But then pride and grace ne'er dwelt in one place.
31:23Where was the mine?
31:24Oh, I don't know.
31:26Africa somewhere.
31:28Percival will know.
31:30The, uh, Mackenzie's didn't let it rest, I gather.
31:37Oh, you want the hearsay as well, do you?
31:43I'd be most grateful, ma'am.
31:45Mrs. Mackenzie was an unbalanced sort of woman.
31:52We ended up in an asylum, I believe.
31:54She came here, you know,
31:56dragging along a couple of young children who looked scared to death.
32:01Accused Rex of murdering her husband.
32:05Said she'd bring up her children to take their revenge.
32:08OLD SINS CAST LONG SHADOWS
32:16The children.
32:23How about this?
32:25As a motive, at least.
32:28Rex Fortescue swindles some bloke called Mackenzie out of his share of a gold mine.
32:34Mackenzie dies.
32:35One way or another,
32:38the widow reckons that Fortescue killed him.
32:41She becomes obsessed by revenge.
32:43She brings up the children to avenge the father.
32:46What happened to the mother?
32:48She ended up in a loony bin.
32:51She may still be there.
32:53You've got to find her.
32:55If she's alive, I want to know where she is.
32:58That's an absolute priority.
33:01And the Mackenzie children,
33:02do you reckon one of them could be here?
33:04I mean, here in the house?
33:04Yeah.
33:06Or nearby.
33:10Dubois,
33:12Mary Dove,
33:13Jennifer Fortescue,
33:14they're all about the right age.
33:16Reckon you know who it is?
33:19Yes.
33:20I do.
33:22Mackenzie's Blackbird Mine?
33:26What or where is that?
33:28I think you know very well, Miss Dove.
33:32I assure you, I'm quite in the dark.
33:36I think you know, Inspector, that it's up to you to prove I am this Miss Mackenzie, whoever she is.
33:42It will at least provide me with the continued pleasure of your company while you probe the mystery of my identity.
33:48Please don't mock me, Miss Dove.
33:50I wasn't intending to.
33:51As a matter of fact, I meant it, despite the fact that you're keen to implicate me, however obscurely, in murder.
33:59If you continue to look into my affairs and are extremely clever, you will find certain minor discrepancies in the household accounting.
34:10I have no intention of begging like Jennifer or selling myself like poor Adele.
34:14However, if I find that you are near the heart of my secret, I shall be able to replace the money, and then it will be impossible to prosecute.
34:24Do you find that immoral?
34:26In such a place as this?
34:33I wish you hadn't, darling.
34:42Yes, George?
34:44Marmalade.
34:54I suppose we get it analysed.
34:56It's better enough to disguise the poison, though, isn't it, sir?
34:59And Rex Fortescue was the only one who ever touched the stuff.
35:02Yeah, I know that, but...
35:04anyone who's able to organise that part of it isn't going to get rid of the evidence by chucking it out the pantry window into the bushes.
35:12Yes, sir, but it was a lot of luck we were on to the taxing so quickly.
35:16They may have thought they had a day or two in hand.
35:18Yeah.
35:20And if we do find taxing in it, that opens it up a bit, doesn't it?
35:25How do you mean?
35:26Well, anyone could have done it who was in the house after the previous day's breakfast was put away.
35:30Yeah, but who does that include who wasn't involved before?
35:38Percival Fortescue.
35:39All right.
35:41All right, Inspector.
35:42If you're saying that my father's death was in my immediate financial interest, well, then, yes, of course, you're right.
35:47But that does not give me a motive for killing Adele.
35:50I happen to know she willed her £100,000 out of the family.
35:55What would be the point?
35:56Oh, come on, sir.
35:57If you know that, then you must have known that she had to outlive her husband by at least a month in order to inherit the stuff.
36:03If she didn't, the money reverted to the estate.
36:06In other words, you, sir.
36:08There was point, all right.
36:11Point in killing them both.
36:16With respect.
36:18So, uh, so you thought that Dadis had gone out to meet her young man?
36:24Well, I don't know.
36:25She seemed, well, kind of waiting for something.
36:30Looking out the window, looking in the mirror.
36:32You know what I mean?
36:33Yes.
36:33Yes, I do, yes.
36:35Got it.
36:37Before she took the tea through, she answered the telephone.
36:40Gladys did.
36:41She didn't as a rule, but this time she fair plummeted through that door after it.
36:46And did she say who it was?
36:49No, she said wrong number.
36:52Indeed, yes.
36:54Most interesting, Mrs Crump.
36:57Now, I wonder, would you think me very greedy if I helped myself to another biscuit?
37:03So what percentage of the company capital would you estimate all the African holdings to take?
37:07Oh, come off it, man.
37:08God knows.
37:10I thought I was digging you out of a hole.
37:13Now, make no mistake.
37:14I want to get out, but I've got to have some sort of prospects.
37:18I've got Pat to consider.
37:21Can't be as much as 20%.
37:23All right.
37:26All right, yes.
37:26Perhaps that was a bit, a bit churlish of me.
37:28So, you want the balance of your 20% in cash, do you?
37:36Well, we thought if you could secure us a loan, or lend us $1,500 a year for the next five years, something like that.
37:42Five years?
37:45All right, four.
37:46Oh, I just thought you might have things on a better footing by then, that's all.
37:51That's true.
37:53Um, do you want this wretched blackbird mine as well?
37:59Sure, sure.
38:00Throw it all in.
38:01What on earth are those?
38:31My birthright.
38:33Tight little Percy, just assign them to me.
38:36A chunk of the dark continent which Percival thinks is worth tuppence.
38:40Oh, Percy, Percy, when you find out.
38:45Come on, gorgeous.
38:46We've got a plane to catch.
38:48You're not just taking it.
39:02Certainly.
39:03First of all, it's the organized work.
39:05You can organize it back from the airport.
39:06Yes, you can organize it back.
39:28Ooh!
39:44Got anything?
39:46Mrs Mackenzie.
39:48Good.
39:49Where is she?
39:50You could walk it in a quarter of an hour.
39:52What?
39:53It's a mile or two by road, but if you cut through the woods,
39:55Burnham Ridley, the Pine Sanatorium.
39:59Come on.
40:01Let's go talk to the Mackenzie wall.
40:06How big is this place at Burnham Ridley?
40:09It's a private house.
40:10Oh, Inspector.
40:12Yes, Miss Marple.
40:14You weren't thinking of the sanatorium, visiting there by any chance?
40:18Not that that's important now.
40:20What isn't?
40:21Mrs Mackenzie.
40:22No, what is much more to the point is...
40:24What do you know about Mrs Mackenzie?
40:26Oh, well, just everything there is to know.
40:28There's not but this very much, I'm afraid.
40:30I went there this morning.
40:31The poor dear's mind is completely gone.
40:33No, what is much more important is that I think I saw
40:36Lance Fortescue and his wife driving away.
40:39Now, he must be stopped, I'm afraid.
40:42Well, he had business in Paris.
40:44I saw no reason to detain him.
40:46He wasn't even in the country when the first murder...
40:48Yes, yes.
40:49Yes, I know, but I think they ought to be stopped.
40:52Well, don't ask me why.
40:54I can tell you the how.
40:55Well, not the precise how, but the general how.
40:58But the why escapes me, except, of course, that it's greed.
41:01One knows that naturally, but...
41:03No, I expect the precise why will emerge in due course, but...
41:08Oh, dear.
41:10You think they should be stopped, Miss Marple?
41:15He should.
41:16Yes.
41:21Well, Miss Marple, I failed to listen to you once and I regretted it.
41:25Put out a general call for Fortescue's car.
41:28They'll be heading towards north. I'll keep an eye on it.
41:30Right, sir.
41:31Well, Miss Marple, perhaps he could elaborate.
41:42Oh, yes.
41:51Yeah, Bentley.
41:52Registration GXA 579.
41:55General surveillance only.
41:57Right.
41:58We found the pot of marmalade in the garden, but I can't believe...
42:02Oh, sir, that was how it was done, yes.
42:05Yes, very simple, of course.
42:07Yes, but it's such a stupid way of getting rid of the evidence.
42:11Oh, but the killer of Rex Fortescue wasn't very bright, I'm afraid.
42:16And who was that?
42:18Oh, it was Gladys Martin, of course.
42:20Oh, she didn't mean to.
42:22She put the taxine in the marmalade, but she didn't think it was poison.
42:27Or did she think it was?
42:29Oh, I imagine she thought it was some form of a truth drug, you know, something like that.
42:34She was told to put it in just as she was told to put a handful of rye in Rex Fortescue's pocket
42:40and just as she was told to serve honey for tea.
42:43You have to keep constantly in mind that poor Gladys was not attractive.
42:47She was a lump, I'm afraid, and more importantly still, very credulous.
42:53It would have been quite easy for her to believe in a truth drug if told her by a personable young man.
42:58And who was that?
43:00Well, he called himself Albert Evans.
43:02He met her at a holiday camp.
43:04He flattered her, made love to her and told her some story of injustice.
43:09You see, that was where the truth drug came in.
43:11It was to have taken effect when Rex Fortescue arrived at his office.
43:16There, forced by this miracle of modern science,
43:20he was to have admitted the truth before witnesses.
43:24Her Albert got her to apply for a job here when one came up
43:28and I must say she had very good references even though I do say it myself.
43:33And when she knew that she had caused his death...
43:39Well, what was the first thing that she said to you when you questioned her?
43:44She said, I didn't do it.
43:47Exactly.
43:48That's exactly what she would say.
43:51If ever she broke a vase or something, you know, she would always say,
43:55I didn't do it, Miss Marple. I can't think how it happened.
43:58Poor dear.
44:00Besides which, her Albert was meeting her the next day
44:03and she knew that he would explain everything to her.
44:05You see, that was the telephone call she took just before tea.
44:09So she brought the tray into the hall,
44:12she saw him outside, she left the tray,
44:16she went out to meet him
44:18and he killed her.
44:20Yes, exactly.
44:25And her Albert?
44:27Oh, I'm so sorry. Didn't I say Lance Fortescue?
44:33There she blows.
44:39Oh, no. Please, no.
44:56Oh, no. Please, no.
45:01That's all here.
45:02I did.
45:07Oh, no.
45:11Oh, no.
45:23Oh, no.
45:26WHISTLE BLOWS
45:56It was that poor, sad girl, Pat, who put me on to it.
46:14Blackbird business in the pocket full of rye.
46:17The way things fitted into the rye were all a complete fake.
46:21Like much in this house, used by Lance Fortescue,
46:24heard about the blackbirds, that's all.
46:31What's happening, Lance?
46:38What have you done?
46:41Have you swindled Percival or something?
46:55What the hell do we do now?
46:57We're observing them. We were told to keep them under observation, and we are.
47:03He told me to go to hell.
47:07And he meant it.
47:10He meant hell.
47:12Who did?
47:13His own son.
47:19The bloody sadist.
47:23Well, he's finished hurting people.
47:27Thought the only way to get his hand on the money was to kill his father.
47:32And to use the nursery rhyme to cover his tracks.
47:34Just as he used poor Gladys.
47:36After I saw Aunt Effie, I slipped down the back stairs and round to the sitting room to see Adele.
47:48I knew the lazy cat would be there.
47:52She said as much just by looking at me.
47:59She was waiting.
48:03I could have laced her tea five times over.
48:09It must have been more than greed to plan all that.
48:11Oh, yes.
48:13And of course, his real madness was.
48:16Thinking he could do what he did.
48:19And keep the love of a girl like Pat.
48:26It was for us, you see.
48:28I wanted for us to be all right.
48:32You're the only thing I've ever really loved.
48:36The only person who really cared.
48:39I knew you'd see it through, you see.
48:46You're...
48:50You're the one.
48:52I mean...
48:54You...
48:57Pat.
49:01I told you.
49:04I'm bad luck.
49:07I can't.
49:09I can't.
49:11I can't.
49:15Get out!
49:17Get out!
49:19Get out!
49:20Get out!
49:29Get out!
49:34Get in!
49:35Oh, my God.
50:05Rex Fortescue was about to pull off the most spectacular coup of his life.
50:15All those dud African properties, including the famous Blackbird Mine, were practically next door to each other.
50:22In 12 months, he'd accumulated a small mountain range of high-grade uranium ore.
50:29It's worth millions.
50:31All businessmen are the victims of greed some way or another, I fear.
50:39I'd like to thank you, Miss Marple.
50:41I don't think I'd have got there without you.
50:43Oh, yes.
50:46Men like Lance, you know, always prove their own hangman.
50:49Oh, yes, you would have got there.
50:50I just happen to know Gladys, and I happen to hear Mrs. Parsons' little children singing, that's all.
50:58Oh, excuse me, Inspector.
51:00I get...
51:01Did you want a word, Mrs. Fortescue?
51:10Oh, no.
51:12No, no.
51:14Was it your mother's idea or yours?
51:19The nurse has said you were very kind to her.
51:23Poor mummy.
51:23Yes, it was her idea.
51:29I mean, her idea.
51:31But it was you who thought of marrying Percival.
51:34Sort of.
51:35Sort of happened, really.
51:38And the Blackbirds.
51:41Was that your idea of avenging your father?
51:43Mummy made me.
51:45She did.
51:46Nevertheless, it was very naughty.
51:50Rex deserved it.
51:51He was a horrid man.
51:53Well, it's not the point.
51:57No.
51:59Well, you'll be leaving your husband now.
52:02Mm-hmm.
52:05Yes.
52:08Yes.
52:10Well, goodbye, Mrs. Fortescue.
52:13Goodbye.
52:16Well, so the McKinsey's got their money after all.
52:25At least £40,000 worth of it.
52:30That's what she meant.
52:32Yes, I see.
52:34And all she had to do was ask for it.
52:36Old Rex just gave it to her.
52:38Oh, do you think so?
52:40I think he knew who she was.
52:42Well, dear, we shall never really know now, will we?
52:46Well, goodbye, Inspector.
52:52Oh, thank you.
52:53Don't marry me.
52:54Oh, my God.
Recommended
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