First broadcast 23rd May 2010 (USA) 2nd Jan 2011 (UK).
Hollywood star Marina Gregg leaves Los Angeles for the picturesque countryside of St. Mary Mead. Having taken up residence at Gossington Hall with her dashing young English husband, film director Jason Rudd, his secretary, Ella Blunt and Marina's exclusive personal assistant, Hailey Preston, it's not long before she becomes lady of the manor.
Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple
Lindsay Duncan as Marina Gregg
Gene Goodman as Louis Charles
Isabella Parriss as Marie Thérèse
Jonny Coyne as French Officer
Joanna Lumley as Dolly Bantry
Nigel Harman as Jason Rudd
Victoria Smurfit as Ella Blunt
Brennan Brown as Hailey Preston
Caroline Quentin as Heather Badcock
Martin Jarvis as Vincent Hogg
Hannah Waddingham as Lola Brewster
Olivia Darnley as Cherry Baker
Michele Dotrice as Mrs Hubbard
Charlotte Riley as Margot Bence
Don Gallagher as Man in Livery
Lois Jones as Primrose Dixon
Neil Stuke as Dr Haydock
Hugh Bonneville as Inspector Hewitt
Samuel Barnett as Sergeant Tiddler
Will Young as Casey Croft
Anna Andresen as Maisie Cooper
David Lyddon as Municipal Officer
Darren Petrucci
Simon John Wilson as Press Reporter
Hollywood star Marina Gregg leaves Los Angeles for the picturesque countryside of St. Mary Mead. Having taken up residence at Gossington Hall with her dashing young English husband, film director Jason Rudd, his secretary, Ella Blunt and Marina's exclusive personal assistant, Hailey Preston, it's not long before she becomes lady of the manor.
Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple
Lindsay Duncan as Marina Gregg
Gene Goodman as Louis Charles
Isabella Parriss as Marie Thérèse
Jonny Coyne as French Officer
Joanna Lumley as Dolly Bantry
Nigel Harman as Jason Rudd
Victoria Smurfit as Ella Blunt
Brennan Brown as Hailey Preston
Caroline Quentin as Heather Badcock
Martin Jarvis as Vincent Hogg
Hannah Waddingham as Lola Brewster
Olivia Darnley as Cherry Baker
Michele Dotrice as Mrs Hubbard
Charlotte Riley as Margot Bence
Don Gallagher as Man in Livery
Lois Jones as Primrose Dixon
Neil Stuke as Dr Haydock
Hugh Bonneville as Inspector Hewitt
Samuel Barnett as Sergeant Tiddler
Will Young as Casey Croft
Anna Andresen as Maisie Cooper
David Lyddon as Municipal Officer
Darren Petrucci
Simon John Wilson as Press Reporter
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00:00What do you want with this laid out?
00:00:29Your son.
00:00:30No.
00:00:31Mama.
00:00:32By order of the commune.
00:00:33I take orders from no one.
00:00:34Mama.
00:00:35I am your queen.
00:00:36Marry Antoinette.
00:00:37We are to take Louis Charles.
00:00:38Mama.
00:00:39You will not lay one finger on him.
00:00:40For his own sake.
00:00:41Mama.
00:00:42Mama.
00:00:43Don't let them take me.
00:00:44You can't take him.
00:00:45You can't take him.
00:00:46Not my boy.
00:00:47No.
00:00:48Leave me alone.
00:00:49Leave me alone.
00:00:50Mama.
00:00:51Leave me alone.
00:00:52Mama.
00:00:53Mama.
00:00:54Mama.
00:00:55Mama.
00:00:56Mama.
00:00:57Mama.
00:00:58Leave.
00:00:59Mama.
00:01:00I have no mercy.
00:01:01Mama.
00:01:02Mama.
00:01:03Mama, no.
00:01:04Let go of him.
00:01:05I will kill you alive.
00:01:06Mama.
00:01:07You can't do this, please.
00:01:08Stop it.
00:01:09No.
00:01:10Stop it.
00:01:11Not my baby.
00:01:13Take him away.
00:01:16Mama.
00:01:17Mama.
00:01:18Not my baby.
00:01:21God himself is forsaking me!
00:01:42Didn't she look lovely on her way to the guillotine?
00:01:44Oh yes, love her.
00:01:45Oh, imagine going to all that trouble just to have your head cut off.
00:01:50Oh, isn't she gorgeous? It's like a dream, Jane.
00:01:53My new neighbour on the silver screen. It's too thrilling.
00:01:57It is exciting, isn't it?
00:01:58Poor Arthur must be spinning in his grave.
00:02:01I couldn't be happier, really. I couldn't.
00:02:03You're not darling.
00:02:05Do you think she'll pop round for cups of sugar?
00:02:20Hollywood has come to the home counties.
00:02:23Movie star Marina Gregg has left the palm trees and glitter of Los Angeles
00:02:27for the leafy lands and picturesque villages of rural England.
00:02:39Miss Gregg has taken up residence with her dashing young English husband,
00:02:43film director Jason Rudd, at Gossington Hall St Mary Mead.
00:02:47And seems to be loving her new role as Lady of the Manor.
00:02:55But it's not all huntin', fishin' and shootin' for Miss Gregg.
00:02:58She's hard at work on a new film after her successful comeback as Marie Antoinette.
00:03:04This time she's taking on another queen, the Egyptian beauty Nefertiti.
00:03:10Yes, Marina Gregg is truly queen of all she survives.
00:03:18She's in a very good mood today. She's been out riding with her husband.
00:03:22How lovely.
00:03:23Yes, she's quite taken to country pursuits.
00:03:25And what position do you hold, Mr. Preston?
00:03:28I'm Miss Gregg's exclusive personal assistant.
00:03:34Your guests, Marina.
00:03:48Riding makes me feel so alive.
00:03:51I know exactly what you mean.
00:03:53Arthur, my late husband, always got a little frisky after a canter.
00:03:57Do help yourselves.
00:03:59Thank you, Miss Gregg.
00:04:01I love your English tea.
00:04:07Are you all right, Mrs. Bantry?
00:04:09Yes, I'm fine, thank you.
00:04:11Only you're looking at me rather strangely.
00:04:13Am I? Oh, I'm so frightfully sorry.
00:04:15It must be the shock of seeing you with your head back on.
00:04:18We had the very great pleasure of seeing you in Marie Antoinette the other afternoon.
00:04:22We were in shreds, weren't we, Jane?
00:04:25That's a very special movie for us.
00:04:27Yes, when we first met.
00:04:29I hadn't acted for a while.
00:04:31And I had the privilege of directing her.
00:04:33I tell you, ladies, I was in awe.
00:04:36My darling.
00:04:39Such a gent.
00:04:41And so young. Gosh.
00:04:46Have a scone, Mrs. Bantry.
00:04:48Yes, please, help yourself.
00:04:50Let them eat cake.
00:04:52It must feel quite odd being back in your old home, Mrs. Bantry.
00:04:54But it's all so different.
00:04:56I do hope, I really do,
00:04:58that you don't mind the way we've pulled the house around and changed things.
00:05:01You must think we're the most terrible intruders.
00:05:03No, not at all.
00:05:05I'm thrilled you bought it, and I adore living in the lodge.
00:05:09Your coming here is one of the most exciting things that's ever happened, isn't it, Jane?
00:05:14Oh, yes. And we're all so looking forward to the garden party.
00:05:17So you have no regrets?
00:05:19It's a new lease of life, Mr. Rudd.
00:05:21Since the sale went through, I've been travelling all over the place
00:05:24seeing my children and grandchildren.
00:05:26You have children? Yes.
00:05:28I have two sons, two daughters and nine grandchildren.
00:05:31So far.
00:05:33It's great fun being a grandmother.
00:05:35I wouldn't know.
00:05:37All the fun and none of the worry.
00:05:39It's not too chilly for you, is it, Miss Martin?
00:05:42No, Mr. Rudd, thank you, but it's very pleasant.
00:05:46I'm sure you'll be very happy here, Miss Gregg.
00:05:48Arthur and I had such good times.
00:05:51And we will too, won't we, Jason?
00:05:54Home at last.
00:05:56What a wonderful feeling.
00:05:58How do you think she keeps herself looking so young?
00:06:01Maybe she eats monkey glands.
00:06:03Maybe it's that cute young husband.
00:06:05How many has she had now?
00:06:07This is number five.
00:06:09Must be very tiring.
00:06:11Exhausting. One was enough for me.
00:06:16Dear old Gossington.
00:06:18I shan't miss it, you know.
00:06:20You've made the right decision, Dolly.
00:06:22This is a lovely little house.
00:06:24Perfectly placed to keep an eye on things.
00:06:42HONK HONK
00:06:44Oh, you hurt my...
00:06:48Oh, stupid.
00:06:50Oh, dear.
00:06:52Oh, that was a nasty spill.
00:06:54That young man was driving like a mad thing.
00:06:56I hope you've hurt yourself.
00:06:58I went home on my own.
00:07:00Let's have another word with Councillor Hubbard.
00:07:02Oh, dear, let me help you.
00:07:04You want a nice cup of tea?
00:07:06This is you, is it?
00:07:08Yes, but I'm perfectly all right.
00:07:10You'll be quite shaken.
00:07:13I don't take sugar, Miss Babcock.
00:07:15You must have sugar. It's good for shock.
00:07:17I was abroad with the ambulances during the war
00:07:19and sugar always did the trick.
00:07:21There now. You get that down,
00:07:23you'll be right as rain.
00:07:25I'm afraid I've put you to a lot of trouble.
00:07:27Oh, no. It's no trouble, I can assure you.
00:07:30What is the use if you can't help each other?
00:07:32That's what I say.
00:07:35Were you, um...
00:07:37Were you on your way anywhere in particular, Miss Marple?
00:07:40I was on my way home, actually, from, um,
00:07:43Gottingen Hall.
00:07:46Gottingen Hall? Yes.
00:07:49You know Marina Gray?
00:07:51I just met her, as a matter of fact.
00:07:53Well, I never...
00:07:55It's so exciting that she's chosen to come and live here, isn't it?
00:07:58I've always been the most huge fan.
00:08:01Look what I just bought.
00:08:04I've been collecting photographs, magazine articles,
00:08:07all sorts about her for years.
00:08:10When I was a teenager, I used to dream about her.
00:08:14I'm so excited about the garden party.
00:08:28Excuse me, sir.
00:08:34Vinnie, honey.
00:08:36You're reading your article again.
00:08:39I just can't help myself, pumpkin.
00:08:41Oh, you're such a clever boy.
00:08:44Mm-mm. Not the hand.
00:08:54What say we take a spin in the country this weekend?
00:08:59Oh, Vinnie.
00:09:01I adore it.
00:09:03Isn't England fun?
00:09:05It's just like being in one of those old-fashioned comedies.
00:09:10Let's hope Marina gets the joke.
00:09:26How frightfully galling.
00:09:28Dr Haydox insisted, quite unnecessarily in my opinion,
00:09:32that I rest it for a day or two.
00:09:34Oh, thank you, Gerard.
00:09:36I was so looking forward to it.
00:09:38To be honest, I rather envy you.
00:09:40I can't stand village dues, stale buns and warm lemonade, and tea.
00:09:46I intend making a beeline for the house and having a jolly good snoop.
00:09:52Splendid.
00:10:04Hey, what is this?
00:10:08Tea, madam?
00:10:22Oh, there.
00:10:27Counsellor? I'm Mrs Hubbard.
00:10:29That's right.
00:10:30I'm Ella Blunt, Jason Rudd's assistant. Would you care to follow me?
00:10:33Oh, yes, we'd love to.
00:10:35Miss Bantry.
00:10:36Oh, Mr Preston.
00:10:37Miss Gregg is greeting a few special guests upstairs,
00:10:40if you'd like to follow me.
00:10:42Oh, how exciting!
00:10:43Yes.
00:10:44Do take that.
00:10:49Do take that.
00:10:52Hold your stomach in.
00:10:57The rooftops, that's sensible, isn't it?
00:10:59Yes, stop people crashing in, huh?
00:11:02Excuse me, would you look this way?
00:11:05Lovely.
00:11:09Quite flashed into my last few minutes.
00:11:12Oh.
00:11:16Counsellor and Mrs Hubbard.
00:11:20How very nice of you to come.
00:11:24I do hope you enjoy your afternoon.
00:11:28Jason?
00:11:29Let me get you a drink.
00:11:31Mrs Dolly Bantry.
00:11:33Oh, Mrs Bantry, it is nice of you to come.
00:11:36I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
00:11:38I'm so sorry to hear about Miss Marple.
00:11:40I'll be on my feet in no time.
00:11:42Jason, look who's here.
00:11:44Ah, lovely to see you.
00:11:45Oh, Mr Rath.
00:11:46Can I get you a drink?
00:12:00Primrose, why aren't you in the studio?
00:12:02Oh, Miss Blantast, if I could help out here.
00:12:04Did she now?
00:12:07Dr Gerard Hadock.
00:12:09Just what the doctor ordered.
00:12:11So thoughtful of you to invite me.
00:12:13My pleasure, Doctor.
00:12:15Tell me, what might I have seen you in?
00:12:17Doctor, may I interest you in a drink?
00:12:20I thought you'd never ask. A scotch would go down a treat.
00:12:37Primrose, those drinks won't serve themselves.
00:12:40Sorry, Miss.
00:12:41You've got the most frightful thirst.
00:12:43Aren't you absolutely panting?
00:12:47Miss Heather Badcock.
00:12:49Oh, my God.
00:12:51Very buzzy, eh, Mrs B?
00:12:54It's quite thrilling, Mrs Hubbard.
00:12:56Even my leather isn't quite a titty.
00:12:58It takes a lot to get him excited.
00:13:00Believe me.
00:13:02Miss Badcock is the indefatigable secretary of the association.
00:13:06Oh, Doctor!
00:13:08I don't know what St John would do without her.
00:13:10How wonderful.
00:13:12Yeah, she's always ready with a smile and a helping hand.
00:13:15Jason, I'm sure Miss Badcock would like a drink.
00:13:18You don't remember me, then?
00:13:20Well, why should you? It was years ago.
00:13:22In Bermuda, of all places.
00:13:24I was there at one of our units
00:13:26and you came to open a show in aid of St John Ambulance.
00:13:28Yes, of course.
00:13:30Mr Curran, absolutely thrilled.
00:13:32He'll be a film star, eh, Mrs B?
00:13:35All that rubbish you had to listen to.
00:13:38The doctor said I could go.
00:13:40What a pity. It's wonderful.
00:13:42What they've done to the old place, don't you think?
00:13:44You know, it's charming.
00:13:46Oh, does Mr Curran. He has forced a vodka on me.
00:13:49I'm not sure I like it.
00:13:51I said to myself, I won't be beaten.
00:13:53I got up...
00:13:55Mrs Hubbard, what did you do with vodka?
00:13:57Oh!
00:14:01Mr Hogg!
00:14:03Have you got pictures of Lola?
00:14:06Lola! Mr Hogg!
00:14:13Miss Brewster! Mr Hogg!
00:14:15Would you hold that, please?
00:14:17I've never forgotten how wonderful you were that day.
00:14:19It was a hundred times worth it.
00:14:25Darling.
00:14:27Now, what will you have to drink?
00:14:29Jason? Cocktails.
00:14:31Oh, I don't know whether I should.
00:14:33Oh, let your hair down, Miss Babcock.
00:14:35I suppose it is a special day.
00:14:37That's the spirit.
00:14:39Haberdashery, Miss Babcock. It's Marina's favourite.
00:14:41Oh, thanks. Darling?
00:14:43I've had three already.
00:14:45Lola Brewster and Vincent Hogg.
00:14:47I do not believe it.
00:14:49Vincent!
00:14:51And Lola!
00:14:53My dear.
00:14:55Well, aren't you the dark horses?
00:14:57Oh, my house, it's so...
00:14:59ancient.
00:15:01And so fitting.
00:15:03I always knew you'd end up in an old pile.
00:15:05Dear Vincent, such a riot.
00:15:07Rud.
00:15:09Let's have a nose around.
00:15:13Do you think we should?
00:15:21This used to be a bathroom.
00:15:23Bathroom?
00:15:25It still is.
00:15:27Oh! I'm sorry.
00:15:29Hay fever. Nightmare.
00:15:33Please excuse me.
00:15:39Two basins.
00:15:45This used to be our bedroom.
00:15:47Our bedroom.
00:15:53Oh, my say!
00:15:55Oh!
00:15:57Oh, my goodness.
00:15:59I can't imagine
00:16:01your Arthur in here.
00:16:03Oh, don't look at this.
00:16:11Oh, Dolly.
00:16:13Oh, Dolly.
00:16:15And this through here,
00:16:17this used to be Arthur's, um,
00:16:19seat.
00:16:31Who's that?
00:16:33Who's that?
00:16:37What on earth is going on?
00:16:41Mr. Preston, what's happening?
00:16:43She's had a sort of a seizure or a fit or something.
00:16:45It's probably the heat.
00:16:47Yes, I'd better get some smelling salts.
00:16:53Mr. Rud, how is she?
00:16:55Mr. Preston's gone for some smelling salts.
00:16:57It's a bit late for that.
00:17:03Oh, my goodness.
00:17:13Heather Batcock.
00:17:15Dead as a doornail.
00:17:17Oh, dear. And at the garden party.
00:17:19Dear me. Yes, full of beans one minute,
00:17:21pegged out the next. What did she do?
00:17:23Well, no one knows. She was fit as a fiddle, apparently.
00:17:25Mind you, she always did have that sort of
00:17:27ripe look, like a piece of fruit that's about to go off.
00:17:29There's going to be an inquest
00:17:31and a post-mortem. Well, of course,
00:17:33under the circumstances.
00:17:35Great heavens. Heather Batcock.
00:17:37You don't think it'll be suicide, do you?
00:17:39Oh, no. No, she wasn't the type.
00:17:41No, you're right, you're right.
00:17:43And anyway, why go to a party to kill yourself?
00:17:45No, no. It's obviously murder.
00:17:47Oh, Jane, these are for you.
00:17:49Oh, thank you.
00:17:51That's... cheery.
00:18:11Leave her.
00:18:19Leave her.
00:18:21She's sleeping.
00:18:29There was a kind of reception committee
00:18:31at the top of the stairs for selected guests,
00:18:33and Heather Batcock arrived shortly after I did.
00:18:36Miss Heather Batcock.
00:18:39Miss Batcock is the indefatigable secretary
00:18:42of the association.
00:18:44I don't know what St John would do without her.
00:18:46How wonderful.
00:18:48And Marina listened charmingly
00:18:50while Heather went on and on and on
00:18:52about how she'd met Marina years ago.
00:18:56She wasn't very tactful, I must say,
00:18:58because she was emphasising about how long ago it was,
00:19:01and I don't think actresses like to be reminded of how old they are.
00:19:04But Heather Batcock wouldn't think of that, would she?
00:19:06No, I'm afraid she wouldn't.
00:19:08No, I mean, one wouldn't wish her dead,
00:19:10but she was rather tiresome.
00:19:12But Miss Gregg took it all in good part.
00:19:15Well, yes, but...
00:19:17What?
00:19:19Well, when Miss Batcock was talking,
00:19:22I got the impression that Marina wasn't listening after all.
00:19:26She was staring over Miss Batcock's shoulder,
00:19:30and when Miss Batcock had finished,
00:19:32there was an odd silence.
00:19:34She was staring at the wall opposite,
00:19:37staring with...
00:19:42Oh, how can I explain it?
00:19:44Do try, Dolly.
00:19:46She...
00:19:48She had a sort of...
00:19:50She had a sort of frozen look,
00:19:52as if she had seen...
00:19:54No, let me put it like this.
00:19:56Do you remember the Lady of Shalott?
00:19:58Out flew the web and floated wide.
00:20:00The mirror cracked from side to side.
00:20:03Whom has come upon me, cried the Lady of Shalott.
00:20:12That's what she looked like.
00:20:14She was staring at the wall, you think?
00:20:16Well, she seemed to be.
00:20:18Was there anything on the wall?
00:20:20Oh, I don't know. Pictures, I think.
00:20:22I can't think pictures would be the reason.
00:20:24No, especially as she'd see them every day.
00:20:26Were people still coming up the stairs?
00:20:28You mean she might have been looking at one of them?
00:20:30Yes, it's possible.
00:20:32There was a bit of a to-do
00:20:34when Lola Brewster arrived with Vincent Hogg.
00:20:37And also there was a young woman there taking photographs.
00:20:40A photographer? Yes.
00:20:42She took one of me.
00:20:45And then Marina, all of a sudden,
00:20:47seemed to pull herself together.
00:20:49I think... I think her husband nudged her or something,
00:20:52and she was back to her old charming self.
00:20:55Now, what would you like to drink?
00:20:57Jason? Cocktail.
00:20:59Oh, I don't know what those should...
00:21:01I suppose it is a special day.
00:21:03There's the spirit. Have a daiquiri, Miss Batcliffe.
00:21:06It's Marina's favourite. Oh, thanks.
00:21:08He gave a glass to the badcock woman and one to his wife.
00:21:11Daiquiris, I think. It's very interesting, Dolly.
00:21:14Very interesting indeed.
00:21:16But who on earth would want to kill Heather Badcock?
00:21:19Unless she knew something.
00:21:21No. If she'd known anything,
00:21:23she'd never be able to keep it to herself.
00:21:25Perhaps she was blackmailing someone.
00:21:27Blackmailer? The thought wouldn't enter her head.
00:21:30No, I suppose you're right.
00:21:32It reeks of murder, though, doesn't it?
00:21:34The whole idea seems so very unlikely.
00:21:38Unless, of course, it was the wrong murder.
00:22:00DOOR KNOCKS
00:22:30DOOR KNOCKS
00:22:36Odd place to choose, isn't it, sir?
00:22:38What do you mean, Tiddler?
00:22:40Well, if I was going to poison someone, spike their drink like,
00:22:43I wouldn't choose a dude with loads of people milling around.
00:22:46I mean, someone's bound to notice, aren't they?
00:22:48That's what we're going to find out.
00:22:50So what was it, then? Arsenic or cyanide or something?
00:22:53According to the inquest,
00:22:55it was an overdose of hiethyldexylbarbaquindoloratate.
00:22:58Right.
00:22:59It's an antidepressant, Tiddler, commonly known as Carmo.
00:23:03Widely prescribed in America, but you can also get it here.
00:23:06They found six times the recommended dose inside her
00:23:09and she never used the stuff, according to her doctor.
00:23:12So are we actually going to, like, meet Marina Greg then, sir?
00:23:17Of course we are. Damn full question.
00:23:21Are you a fan of hers, Tiddler?
00:23:23I am... sort of. Yes, sir.
00:23:26Bit old for you, isn't she?
00:23:45There.
00:23:46Oh.
00:23:47So, Inspector,
00:23:49our local murder is considered worthy of the attention of Scotland Yard.
00:23:53Yes, Miss Marple,
00:23:54the involvement of a Hollywood star raises its profile somewhat.
00:23:57Should I be honoured that I am your first port of call?
00:24:00Commissioner Clithering speaks very highly of you.
00:24:02Ah, dear Sir Henry.
00:24:04How's he enjoying his retirement?
00:24:06I suspect he's a little restless.
00:24:08I can well understand that, yes.
00:24:12How is the ankle?
00:24:14Better, thank you, much better.
00:24:16I must say, it is quite a coincidence
00:24:18that the woman who helped you when you fell
00:24:20should be murdered a few days later.
00:24:22Yes, isn't it?
00:24:23I don't suppose you had any intuition of this, did you?
00:24:26Oh, good heavens, no. What an idea.
00:24:28No, but although she did remind me of someone I once knew.
00:24:33Who was that?
00:24:35Alison Wilde.
00:24:37Very kind and full of life,
00:24:40but only ever saw things from her own perspective.
00:24:44And what's Miss Wilde doing now?
00:24:46Oh, she's dead, Inspector.
00:24:48Would you care for a Garambaldi?
00:24:52No, thank you.
00:24:54Oh, so sorry.
00:24:58It is a pity you went to the garden party yourself, Miss Marple.
00:25:01Yes, isn't it? But my friend Dolly Bantry was.
00:25:04It was Mrs Bantry who sold Gossington Hall to Marina Gregg.
00:25:09And did Mrs Bantry see anything?
00:25:11Yes, indeed.
00:25:13Yes, indeed, she did.
00:25:15And what was that?
00:25:17Are you familiar with the Lady of Shalott?
00:25:25And she was staring as though she'd seen something awful,
00:25:27just like the Lady of Shalott.
00:25:29The curse has come upon me.
00:25:30Exactly.
00:25:31Have you any idea what she was looking at, Mrs Bantry?
00:25:34Well, I wish I knew.
00:25:35She seemed to be looking over Miss Badcock's shoulder.
00:25:37At the people coming up the stairs?
00:25:39Oh, I really couldn't say.
00:25:41Oh, dear, I'm not explaining myself terribly well, am I?
00:25:43You're doing very well, Dolly.
00:25:45My husband never knew what I was talking about.
00:25:47Poor Arthur.
00:25:48You all right there, Sergeant?
00:25:49Yes, thank you, Ma'am.
00:25:51Do you know, I once had a cat called Tiddles.
00:25:53It's Tiddler, Ma'am.
00:25:54Is it? How lovely.
00:25:56Marina Gregg, Dolly.
00:25:57Yes, yes, of course.
00:25:58Well, you see, I wondered what on earth it was that made her look like that.
00:26:03And then I didn't think any more about it.
00:26:05But then again,
00:26:07I may have imagined the whole thing
00:26:10Has that been helpful?
00:26:14Never say never, T.T.
00:26:19Like a curse from the mummy's tomb,
00:26:22Marina Gregg seems dogged by tragedy.
00:26:25At a garden party for the St. John Ambulance,
00:26:28hosted by Miss Gregg in her new country home,
00:26:31as a rather unconvincing Lady Bountiful,
00:26:35the secretary of the local association,
00:26:37a garrulous spinster by the name of Heather Badconk,
00:26:41suddenly dropped down dead.
00:26:44The dreary proceedings at which Marina Gregg greeted guests
00:26:48with the hauteur of a mine of oil were...
00:26:53ironically, kick-started into life
00:26:56by what is now being treated as murder.
00:26:59For the time being, Miss Gregg is too distraught
00:27:02to continue work on her new film Nefertiti.
00:27:06Or is she merely having a pet
00:27:09at being upstaged at her own party?
00:27:20That's the one. She was sitting right there and she just went.
00:27:24One minute she was fine and the next...
00:27:26I thought she'd had a seizure or a fit or something.
00:27:29What she did have was six times the maximum dose
00:27:31of a substance called calmo.
00:27:33Everybody takes calmo.
00:27:35I don't.
00:27:37Oh, you should. It is absolutely marvellous.
00:27:39It bucks you up and it soothes you down, if you take my meaning.
00:27:43Would there be supplies of it in the house?
00:27:45Yeah. The place is lousy with it. There's bottles of it everywhere.
00:27:49Where exactly did Miss Gregg receive her guests?
00:27:52Well, she was standing right about here and...
00:27:58Oh, yes, there was a very persistent photographer from London,
00:28:02Margot something or other, a chic, beatnik-y type.
00:28:04She was taking photographs.
00:28:06And people were coming up the stairs?
00:28:08Yes, in driblets.
00:28:10I brought up the VIPs, you might say,
00:28:12and Ella Blunt brought up the rest.
00:28:14She's Mr Rudd's secretary.
00:28:16And you are Miss Gregg's secretary?
00:28:18Exclusive personal assistant, Inspector.
00:28:21And were you here at the time that Miss Badcock came up?
00:28:25I'm ashamed to say, Inspector, that I just cannot remember.
00:28:28I have a feeling that I must have gone back downstairs
00:28:31to look after Vincent Hogg and Lola Brewster.
00:28:44Vincent Hogg, sir. He's a journalist.
00:28:46He used to be married to Miss Gregg.
00:28:48Oh, a fan. Well, we must have a chat sometime.
00:28:53This Vincent Hogg chap in?
00:28:55Yes, we didn't even know he was in the country.
00:28:57So his turning up was something of a surprise?
00:28:59You bet.
00:29:00A pleasant surprise, would you say?
00:29:01Oh, yes.
00:29:02And what about Lola Brewster?
00:29:03Well, she was a nice surprise too.
00:29:05So Miss Gregg was happy to see them?
00:29:07She couldn't have been happier. In fact, she was thrilled.
00:29:09To see her ex-husband?
00:29:10Yes.
00:29:11With a redhead on his arm?
00:29:13That's Hollywood.
00:29:16Well, I should like to have a word with Miss Gregg, if I may.
00:29:19Oh, but you can't. She's totally prostrated.
00:29:22Nevertheless, I'd still like to speak to her.
00:29:26Well, I'm afraid that's out of the question, Inspector.
00:29:28You see, the doctor came by this morning and he gave her a little sedation.
00:29:35I must say, it's a relief to be with someone who's normal.
00:29:38What do you mean, Doctor?
00:29:39I've been attending to Miss Marina Gregg.
00:29:41Oh, is she ill?
00:29:42Not remotely, but she's behaving as if she were at death's door.
00:29:45Well, she must be very much upset by Miss Bedcock's death.
00:29:49Her nerves are shot to pieces, or so she kept telling me,
00:29:52and would probably still be telling me had I not given her a sedative.
00:29:56Such a shock, someone suddenly dying like that in the middle of your party.
00:30:00Well, if you ask me, her upset has nothing to do with Miss Bedcock's death.
00:30:05Really?
00:30:06I probably shouldn't be saying this.
00:30:07Oh, I assure you, it won't go any further.
00:30:11So obsessed is she with herself, she even said that it was meant for me, Doctor.
00:30:16The poison drink?
00:30:17She actually said that, did she?
00:30:19Yes, she certainly did.
00:30:20Why on earth would she say that?
00:30:22Quite preposterous to claim Miss Tragedy as her own
00:30:25with poor Miss Bedcock barely cold in the ground.
00:30:28Tell me, Doctor, can you remember what happened
00:30:31after Mr. Rudd served Miss Bedcock and Miss Fred their drinks?
00:30:36Yes, there were still guests coming up the stairs.
00:30:39There was a couple I recall.
00:30:41Lola Brewster and Vincent Hobb.
00:30:43A suave-looking chap and a...
00:30:45a rather flashy-looking redhead.
00:30:48I do not believe it.
00:30:51Miss Bedcock and I were shifted off a little.
00:30:54And Miss Bedcock drank her daiquiri then?
00:30:56No, because she wouldn't stop talking about Miss Marina Gray.
00:31:00Oh, oh.
00:31:03Excuse me.
00:31:04Yes, of course.
00:31:06When did she drink it?
00:31:08Well, it would have been a little while after.
00:31:11It was getting a bit crowded by then.
00:31:14Oh, no.
00:31:21Someone knocked into her and she spilt it.
00:31:24She spilt it?
00:31:25Yes.
00:31:26It went down her dress and Miss Gregg's dress, I believe.
00:31:30I'm sorry.
00:31:31Don't worry, it's only a chanel.
00:31:33I'm so sorry.
00:31:35Here, wipe yourself.
00:31:37Have this, why don't you? I haven't touched it yet.
00:31:40She handed over her own drink?
00:31:42Yes.
00:31:43Are you quite sure of that, Doctor?
00:31:45Yes, yes, I am.
00:31:46And Miss Bedcock took it?
00:31:48Er, no, she didn't want to at first, but, um...
00:31:51Yes, she took it.
00:31:53And did what?
00:31:55I've had far too much already.
00:31:58Drank it.
00:32:00And what did she say?
00:32:02She said she'd never drink it again.
00:32:05Drank it.
00:32:07Rather quickly, if memory serves.
00:32:11Then I got chatting to Councillor Hubbard,
00:32:14and the next thing I knew...
00:32:16Miss Bedcock.
00:32:18Is everything all right? Can I get her anything?
00:32:20Get some smelling salts.
00:32:23She was dead.
00:32:25Well, Miss Marple, I'm delighted to tell you
00:32:28that you are now off the sick list.
00:32:30But here's something for the pain.
00:32:33But what if Miss Gregg is right,
00:32:35that the poison drink was meant for her?
00:32:37She might still be in danger.
00:32:39Yes, but, well, you know what actresses are like.
00:32:42Tell me, Doctor, do you know if she's told her husband any of this?
00:32:45No, she didn't. I'm quite sure of that.
00:32:47In fact, I even suggested that perhaps she should.
00:32:50It is extraordinary.
00:32:52What is?
00:32:54A good dose of sleuthing always brings the colour to your cheeks.
00:33:04Inspector Hewitt.
00:33:05Inspector?
00:33:06Ah, Miss Marple.
00:33:07I've just seen Dr Hadock.
00:33:09Nothing serious, I hope.
00:33:10No, on the contrary, I'm perfectly well, thank you.
00:33:13He mentioned something that I think you ought to know.
00:33:18This business has made us all a bit edgy.
00:33:20Especially your wife, I understand.
00:33:22Well, she's sensitive at the best of times.
00:33:24This hasn't exactly helped.
00:33:25Excuse me, Mr Rudd.
00:33:27I'm wondering if Miss Gregg might be available
00:33:29for a costume fitting tomorrow.
00:33:31How the hell should I know?
00:33:32I've been told your wife was rather distracted
00:33:34while Heather Bantock was speaking to her.
00:33:36Cut it.
00:33:37It's perfectly possible.
00:33:38All this handshaking does get a little tedious.
00:33:40But you didn't notice anything yourself?
00:33:42Well, I think I did give her a nudge at one point to wake her up,
00:33:44but she was fine after that.
00:33:45I'm sorry to interrupt.
00:33:46Twenty minutes, John!
00:33:47Mr Rudd.
00:33:48I've got two dozen journalists on the phone, Jason,
00:33:50wanting to know when they can talk to either you or Maria.
00:33:52I'll get back to you.
00:33:53Oh, they've got me for seconds.
00:33:54Ten minutes, Ella, OK?
00:33:55OK.
00:33:56As you can see, things are pretty hectic, so if you wouldn't mind...
00:33:58Miss Marple.
00:33:59As you can see, things are pretty hectic, so if you wouldn't mind...
00:34:01Mr Rudd, has it occurred to you that the poisoning of Heather Bantock
00:34:04may have been entirely accidental
00:34:06and that the real intended victim was your wife?
00:34:10Very astute, Inspector.
00:34:12That's what I thought all along.
00:34:14Then why haven't you said anything?
00:34:16Because I don't want her to suspect for one moment
00:34:17that someone's out to kill her.
00:34:20Look out!
00:34:24Maria, don't!
00:34:25I can't!
00:34:30PHONE RINGS
00:34:38Marple?
00:34:43Hello?
00:34:46I saw you do it.
00:34:49What?
00:34:50Honey, who is it?
00:34:54I saw you put the tablets in the glass.
00:35:00Your husband, number...
00:35:02Five.
00:35:03Almost a cliche, isn't it?
00:35:05She's got it into her head that she's cursed with bad luck.
00:35:08Well, I have every intention of proving her wrong.
00:35:10Good for you.
00:35:11You see, Inspector, she expects too much.
00:35:13She really believes she can be happy ever after.
00:35:16Well, life's not like that, is it?
00:35:18And what about children?
00:35:19That's one of the reasons she considers herself unlucky.
00:35:22She finally resorted to adoption and then, of course, got pregnant.
00:35:26She was over the moon, but the result was catastrophic.
00:35:28She gave birth to a boy who was severely retarded
00:35:30and had a complete breakdown.
00:35:32I met her on her comeback movie,
00:35:34Marie Antoinette, shortly after she'd recovered.
00:35:36And the son?
00:35:37He had to be put into a home.
00:35:38In America?
00:35:39Yes, but he was recently moved into a home over here.
00:35:42Does she see him?
00:35:43Too much contact would drive her over the edge
00:35:45and we can't risk that.
00:35:46But life goes on.
00:35:48Not for Miss Badcock.
00:35:51But why?
00:35:53Miss Badcock.
00:35:56It was you, wasn't it, Mr. Rudd, who gave her her drink?
00:36:00Yes, the Daiquiri.
00:36:02I gave one to Miss Badcock, then one to Marina.
00:36:05It's Marina's favourite.
00:36:06Oh, thanks.
00:36:08I've had three already.
00:36:10And this was about the time that Vincent Hogg and Lola Brewster appeared.
00:36:14Yes.
00:36:15I do not believe it.
00:36:18Vincent!
00:36:19And Lola!
00:36:20Marina put her drink down on the table.
00:36:22Lola touched it and greeted them.
00:36:24And that's where her drink remained.
00:36:26And it was only then that it could have been tampered with.
00:36:29Don't ask me how it was done.
00:36:31And as for who did it,
00:36:33well, you have about 20 possible culprits to choose from.
00:36:36Not now.
00:36:39What then?
00:36:40My wife finally managed to retrieve her drink
00:36:43when that woman must have spilled hers.
00:36:47It's all right, really.
00:36:49I'm sorry.
00:36:50Marina offered her drink to Miss Badcock, and that was that.
00:36:53But I can assure you the fatal dose couldn't have been added after then
00:36:56because Miss Badcock drank it immediately.
00:36:59And five minutes later, she was dead.
00:37:04Can you think of anyone who would wish to harm your wife, Mr Rowe?
00:37:07I think it's fair to say that in our business
00:37:09we derive a certain pleasure from seeing colleagues fall flat on their faces.
00:37:13But as for wishing them dead,
00:37:15not as a rule.
00:37:20No.
00:37:40How long have you been Mr Rudd's secretary?
00:37:43Five years.
00:37:45I was part of the expat community in L.A.
00:37:48Well, I was rather keen to get involved in movies,
00:37:50so when Mr Rudd offered me the job, obviously I jumped at the chance.
00:37:53You knew him before he met Marina?
00:37:55Oh, yes.
00:37:57I suppose his breath, see, had a natural affinity.
00:38:00He's the sort of genius you know.
00:38:02He's still so young.
00:38:03You like the job.
00:38:05So it's my purpose.
00:38:07Although I hadn't bargained on murder.
00:38:09Six times the recommended dose could hardly be anything else.
00:38:11An accident?
00:38:13And how would that happen?
00:38:14Oh, a lot easier than you think.
00:38:16The world is simply full of drugs.
00:38:20These theatrical types,
00:38:22they have the most curious lapses in intelligence.
00:38:25I mean, sometimes I think the more artistic they are,
00:38:28the less common sense they have.
00:38:30I still don't see how such an accident could happen.
00:38:32One of the guests might have wanted an upper or a downer,
00:38:35having forgotten what they had earlier, put too much in the glass,
00:38:38and then put it down, got distracted and went off.
00:38:40Along comes Miss... what's her name?
00:38:43Thinks it's her glass, picks it up and drinks it.
00:38:45Very stupid, you know.
00:38:46Sorry, sir.
00:38:48Tell me, Miss Blunt, does Marina Gregg take car, though?
00:38:50Oh, yes, we all do.
00:38:52Have you any idea when I might be able to talk to her?
00:38:54She's always throwing temperaments,
00:38:57and this has given her the perfect opportunity to throw a really big one.
00:39:03Didn't know you were a film mag fan, Miss.
00:39:05I'm not, just curious, that's all.
00:39:08They belong to poor Miss Badcock.
00:39:11Inspector Hewitt kindly procured them for me.
00:39:14Would you say she's difficult to work for?
00:39:17Difficult? She's an absolute monster.
00:39:20The woman has no moderation.
00:39:22She's either jumping for joy or in the depths of despair,
00:39:24and there are certain topics one simply can't mention.
00:39:26Such as?
00:39:28Mental breakdown, psychiatric hospital,
00:39:30anything to do with children she can't have any more, you see,
00:39:32and the one she did have is completely bonkers.
00:39:34Then why bring him over here?
00:39:36Jason thought it would be for the best.
00:39:38In what way?
00:39:39To give the right impression.
00:39:41I mean, after all, Inspector,
00:39:43it doesn't put Marina in terribly good light, does it?
00:39:46I mean, to move over here and leave her son to rot in an American asylum.
00:39:50But it's not Mr Rudd's child, is it?
00:39:52No.
00:39:54The husband before last.
00:39:56Then where's he now?
00:39:57Florida.
00:39:59Miss Blunt, do you know if Marina Gregg is afraid of anyone?
00:40:03Marina? Afraid?
00:40:07Hey, fever.
00:40:09It's a complete nightmare.
00:40:36A day out in London? What a lovely idea.
00:41:07I've been behaving disgracefully, gentlemen.
00:41:11Will you ever forgive me?
00:41:14I just let myself go to pieces after this awful thing.
00:41:19Do take a seat, Inspector.
00:41:21Thank you, Miss Gregg.
00:41:23This is Sergeant Tiddler.
00:41:25How adorable.
00:41:27Pull up a chair, Sergeant Tiddler, make yourself at home.
00:41:31Tiddler, chair.
00:41:33Yes, sir.
00:41:45I'm so ashamed of myself.
00:41:47It's only natural that you should have felt upset.
00:41:49I had no business making out it was worse for me than anyone else.
00:41:53Hadn't you, Miss Gregg?
00:41:57Well, hadn't you?
00:41:58You're a very perceptive inspector, aren't you?
00:42:01Why do you think someone wanted to kill you?
00:42:05I was just drinking a drink that had been tampered with.
00:42:09It was just a mistake that that woman got in.
00:42:13I wouldn't have said anything, but Jason insisted.
00:42:16You've confided in him, then?
00:42:18Dr. Hadock suggested I should.
00:42:21Jason thought the same as me. He thought it all along.
00:42:25It's quite funny, really.
00:42:27He didn't want to alarm me by telling me.
00:42:32I hope you're getting this, Sergeant.
00:42:34Damn, Mom.
00:42:36Have you any idea, Miss Gregg, who might have tampered with your drink?
00:42:39Of course I haven't.
00:42:40Are you certain?
00:42:41If I had, Inspector, I'd tell you.
00:42:43I'm sure you would. I just wondered if you had even the slightest suspicions.
00:42:47It could have been anyone.
00:42:48Jason, darling, Inspector Hewitt thinks I know who spiked my drink,
00:42:51and I keep telling him I don't.
00:42:53But I can't help thinking that perhaps you know a little more than you're telling me.
00:42:56Well, I saw nothing.
00:42:57Neither did I.
00:42:59God, I'm exhausted.
00:43:00Just one more thing.
00:43:01Make him go away?
00:43:03Not this weight, Inspector.
00:43:04Someone has told me that while Miss Badcock was speaking to you,
00:43:08you looked over her shoulder and saw something that seemed to alarm you.
00:43:12Now, is this true, Miss Gregg?
00:43:14Of course it isn't.
00:43:15What could possibly have alarmed me?
00:43:17That's what we want to find out.
00:43:19It seems you might have been looking at the staircase,
00:43:22and at about that time, Vincent Hogg arrived with Lola Brewster.
00:43:28Was it this that upset you?
00:43:30I'm telling you, I wasn't upset.
00:43:32Who said I was?
00:43:33Inspector, I think it's time to go.
00:43:34You didn't even know they were coming, did you?
00:43:36I had no idea they were even in England.
00:43:38So it was a surprise.
00:43:39Yes, it was. A delightful surprise.
00:43:41Delightful to see your ex-husband...
00:43:43Inspector.
00:43:44...with your current husband's ex-lover on his arm.
00:43:48Yesterday's papers, Inspector.
00:43:50So you knew about the affair, did you?
00:43:51You're very persistent, aren't you?
00:43:53Did Lola Brewster ever make any threats towards you, Miss Gregg?
00:43:55She wouldn't dare.
00:43:56Oh.
00:43:58I'd heard that she'd pulled a gun on you at a party after Mr. Rudd dumped her.
00:44:02Let's cut to the chase, shall we?
00:44:04Lola Brewster had no opportunity of poisoning that drink
00:44:06because I was close beside her most of the time.
00:44:08Were you?
00:44:09The idea that she'd come to England and poison Marie...
00:44:11Close beside her? What were you up to?
00:44:12I wasn't up to anything.
00:44:13And what about Vincent Hogg?
00:44:15The idea that that poisonous old snake could in any way alarm me.
00:44:19But there was something, wasn't there, Miss Gregg?
00:44:21Something that distracted you.
00:44:23Okay, Inspector.
00:44:26Let me put it like this.
00:44:28I've had quite a tough time recently.
00:44:31But have gradually been getting back on track,
00:44:33and I'm working my butt off.
00:44:35But I still find time to open my house,
00:44:38to raise money for charity,
00:44:39and to be nice and pleasant to everyone.
00:44:42And they all say the same thing to you,
00:44:44and you say the same thing back,
00:44:46over and over and over again.
00:44:49Have you any idea how boring that can be?
00:44:51Don't.
00:44:52But you do it because it's your job.
00:44:54At some point you glaze over it, and so be it.
00:44:56I have the faintest idea what Miss What's-Her-Face was going on about,
00:44:59and I tell you, it couldn't have been that riveting,
00:45:01because I did blank out for a second, two seconds.
00:45:04Who cares? I'm human, so sue me!
00:45:07My only concern, Miss Gregg, is for your safety.
00:45:10An attempt was made on your life by someone on the day of the party,
00:45:14someone who is quite possibly still here,
00:45:16and who, in the scheme of things, is bound to try again.
00:45:20If you have even the vaguest notion who that person might be,
00:45:23I beg you to share it.
00:45:25Perhaps you might know something that I don't,
00:45:28and if you do, you really should tell us, for your sake.
00:45:32But I don't.
00:45:34How many more times do I have to say it?
00:45:38I can't see it.
00:45:40I can't hear it.
00:45:42And you're all driving me insane.
00:45:44Now, get out of here, the lot of you.
00:45:46I want to be left in peace.
00:45:48Yes. Thank you, Miss Gregg.
00:45:51Mr Rudd?
00:45:55Any chance of an autograph, Miss Gregg?
00:45:57Get out!
00:46:04She's a cracker.
00:46:14And as we've known each other for centuries,
00:46:16we thought it would be jolly nice to have a portrait taken as a sort of memento.
00:46:20Friendship's so important, don't you think, Miss Pence?
00:46:23And having seen you at the party, I thought, the very person.
00:46:30Miss Marvel, can you look fractionally less petrified?
00:46:33Oh, I'll do my best.
00:46:36And Miss Bantry, perhaps not quite so lethal in the smile department?
00:46:40Oh, sort of more mysterious.
00:46:42Possibly.
00:46:45Expect you've taken lots of famous people, haven't you, Miss Pence?
00:46:49I'll shoot anyone if they've got the money.
00:46:51Hold it.
00:46:55I gather from the press that this woman was poisoned by mistake,
00:46:59that it was in fact intended for Marina.
00:47:01That's right, sir. The overdose was in Miss Gregg's cocktail.
00:47:04Miss Padcock spilled her drink and Miss Gregg gave her hers.
00:47:08Pretty conclusive, I'd say.
00:47:10Perhaps.
00:47:12You hadn't seen her for a while.
00:47:14Not since our divorce, I'm happy, Derek.
00:47:17So you didn't mind being ditched for a younger man?
00:47:21To describe our marriage as a hellish nightmare would scarcely do it justice.
00:47:26Then there was no love lost between you?
00:47:28No, Inspector, I can hardly claim to sob into my pillow every night.
00:47:32Why are you over here, Mr Holt?
00:47:34For my column, of course.
00:47:36Marina's new film, Nefertiti,
00:47:39is creating quite a buzz.
00:47:41I would be negligent to ignore it.
00:47:43Now, Lola Brewster...
00:47:45Ah, yes. She's been having a little lie down.
00:47:49But I'm sure she's up and about by now.
00:47:52Wasn't it provocative, taking her to the party?
00:47:55She's my partner.
00:47:56Partner?
00:47:57Rather American, isn't it?
00:47:59Yes, we sort of gravitated to each other as injured parties.
00:48:04She's a sweet girl.
00:48:06Soothingly stupid.
00:48:08Would it have been a shock for Miss Gregg to see you together?
00:48:11Oh, yes, most definitely.
00:48:13I believe she's told certain friends she's afraid of you, Mr Holt.
00:48:18I wasn't aware she had any friends.
00:48:20Answer my question, please.
00:48:24Marina's an actress. What do you expect?
00:48:26She plays up.
00:48:28Why let something go when she's so good?
00:48:31She plays up.
00:48:33Why let something go when you can make a five-act drama out of it?
00:48:36So she had nothing to be afraid of?
00:48:38Certainly not me, Inspector.
00:48:42I'm a pussycat.
00:48:44Of course, we're such big fans of Marina Gregg, aren't we, Jane?
00:48:48Are you a fan, Miss Pence?
00:48:51She can certainly act up a storm.
00:48:56Oh.
00:48:58Oh.
00:48:59Do this.
00:49:02Hmm.
00:49:03Perfect couple.
00:49:05I thought she was so kind to open her home for the party.
00:49:08And it all went frightfully well, except, of course, for Paul's bad cock.
00:49:12I'd very much like to see your photographs, Miss Pence.
00:49:15I expect you took several of Lola Brewster.
00:49:18Can you suck on the truth a little?
00:49:20Smoke it up a bit.
00:49:23Oh, yeah. Oh, that's just the ticket.
00:49:26And hold it.
00:49:29Of course, it was just about then that Marina Gregg had that funny turn.
00:49:33Oh.
00:49:34Did you notice that, Miss Pence?
00:49:36You're probably imagining it, Dolly.
00:49:38Well, I'm probably putting it too strongly,
00:49:40but it did seem for a moment that she looked a little queer.
00:49:43Mind you, I had just knocked back a ferocious martini,
00:49:46so I was probably a bit squiffy.
00:49:48Oh, well, you got quite lyrical about it.
00:49:50It's not like me to be lyrical.
00:49:52You quoted Tennyson, I seem to remember.
00:49:54Oh, did I?
00:49:56Oh, yes, you're right.
00:49:57I do love that poem, don't you, Miss Pence?
00:49:59Hmm.
00:50:01Actually, it's, um...
00:50:03It's Curse, not Doom, but I know what you mean.
00:50:13Oh, you saw it too, did you?
00:50:15It's most extraordinary.
00:50:17She's expressing nothing whatever.
00:50:20No fear, no pain.
00:50:22Do you know, you're absolutely right.
00:50:24But there's something, isn't there?
00:50:26Something she's seen or thought.
00:50:38You capture her very well, Miss Pence.
00:50:40How do you make her fall?
00:50:42Why do you ask?
00:50:44Because she worked in America, perhaps.
00:50:48Hmm.
00:50:50Hmm.
00:50:51How do you know that?
00:50:53I've seen your name in magazines.
00:50:55I thought you may have encountered her in a professional capacity.
00:50:58I couldn't keep this, could I, for my collection?
00:51:01Be my guest.
00:51:03Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.
00:51:05Of course, one can never be sure how reliable these magazines are.
00:51:10I've read, for example, that she has any number of children
00:51:14and then that she has no children at all.
00:51:16It's all most confusing, isn't it?
00:51:18Utterly.
00:51:20How many children does she have, Miss Pence?
00:51:22I haven't a clue.
00:51:24Haven't you?
00:51:26Haven't you really?
00:51:30What are you doing here?
00:51:32Someone sent you?
00:51:33No, no, we're just here to have our photograph taken, aren't we, Jane?
00:51:36Are you, Miss Marple?
00:51:38What other possible reason could there be?
00:51:42What the hell? It's hardly a secret.
00:51:45What isn't, Miss Pence?
00:51:48But I'm one of the children Marina adopted.
00:51:56We lived in the East End of London.
00:51:58My mother and eight of us kids, and she simply couldn't cope.
00:52:01So she did what a lot of women did in her position
00:52:04and she wrote to the rich and famous, begged them to adopt,
00:52:07and one day she got lucky.
00:52:09Didn't Miss Gregg also adopt her boy?
00:52:12Yes.
00:52:14And for a time we lived the most wonderful life.
00:52:17Marina played her part to the hilt.
00:52:19But she did want children, didn't she?
00:52:21Oh, yes.
00:52:23She just didn't want us.
00:52:25As soon as she discovered she was pregnant, that was it.
00:52:28All she wanted was a child of her own.
00:52:30You can't blame her for that.
00:52:32No.
00:52:34But I can blame her for taking me
00:52:36and my mother for letting her.
00:52:38And your adopted brother, what's happened to him?
00:52:42We drifted apart.
00:52:44He was more resentful.
00:52:46Always said that when he grew up he would kill her baby.
00:52:49And then, of course, she gave birth to that wretched little creature.
00:52:54Perhaps there's justice after all.
00:52:56You hate her that much?
00:52:58Why shouldn't I?
00:53:00Tell me, Miss Pence, was it Marina Gregg
00:53:03who arranged for you to take photographs that day?
00:53:06She knew nothing about it.
00:53:08She knew nothing about it.
00:53:12I was curious to see her again and...
00:53:16Do you know what? She didn't even recognise me.
00:53:20I'm going down to Hellingworth Studios to take some production shots.
00:53:25I wonder if she'll recognise me then.
00:53:29Now, remember, you're on duty, Tiddler.
00:53:31Yes, sir.
00:53:33So for God's sake, don't sit there with your mouth open like a beached cod.
00:53:38Are you going to ask me lots of horrible questions, officer?
00:53:44It's Inspector, actually.
00:53:46And I hope they won't be too horrible.
00:53:48I'm sure they will be.
00:53:50Even though you have the kindest eyes and the cutest smile.
00:53:54You know, gentlemen,
00:53:56I'm sure this whole thing must have been a terrible mistake.
00:54:02You think so, Miss Brewster?
00:54:04Oh, yes. It's all such nonsense.
00:54:06As if anyone would want to poison Marina.
00:54:09She's an absolute sweetie.
00:54:11Everybody loves her.
00:54:13Including you?
00:54:15I have always looked up to her.
00:54:17She's such a brilliant actress.
00:54:19You know, it's a scandal she's never won an Oscar.
00:54:22Still, she has a year or two left.
00:54:25Wasn't there a little trouble between the two of you?
00:54:27Oh, that.
00:54:29It was nothing.
00:54:31She stole my lover. That's all.
00:54:34Jason Rudd.
00:54:36Isn't that hilarious?
00:54:38She's old enough to be his mother.
00:54:40You can't have been too pleased.
00:54:42Well, I wasn't.
00:54:44But now I see it was the best thing that could have happened.
00:54:47I wouldn't have hooked up with Vinnie otherwise.
00:54:49People say you were pretty furious.
00:54:51People say all sorts.
00:54:53Didn't you threaten to shoot her?
00:54:55Oh, sure. But I didn't really mean it.
00:54:57Miss Brewster, I have it on very good authority that you said,
00:55:00If you needn't think she'll get away with it,
00:55:02I'll get even with her in the end.
00:55:04Did I really say that?
00:55:06I believe you did.
00:55:08Well, I guess I was a little mad.
00:55:11We all get a little ruffled sometimes, don't we, Inspector?
00:55:15A little hot under the collar.
00:55:20But do you really think I would poison her cocktail
00:55:23within three minutes of seeing her again?
00:55:26Really, Inspector.
00:55:28I think you're being a very silly boy.
00:55:31I don't deny that Marina can be a little tricky sometimes.
00:55:36But she gets away with it because we all love her so much.
00:55:39She adopted some children once, didn't she?
00:55:42Yes, but I don't think it worked out so well.
00:55:46I guess it was kind of impulsive.
00:55:48You know, like shopping.
00:55:50You get it home, then you think,
00:55:52Oh, boring.
00:56:29Haley, Preston here. Can I help you?
00:56:32I saw you do it.
00:56:34Excuse me?
00:56:36I saw you put the tablets in the glass.
00:56:58Yes?
00:57:00They're ready for you, Marina.
00:57:18What the hell are you doing here?
00:57:20I'm very well, thank you, Marina.
00:57:22And I must say, you look every inch the Queen.
00:57:24So do you. Why are you here?
00:57:27Well, the news has spread. Aren't you thrilled?
00:57:30Vincent, you old dog.
00:57:32We haven't. Casey.
00:57:34So they still haven't found you out.
00:57:37And Miss Brewster, as lovely as ever.
00:57:40Hi.
00:57:43Marina?
00:57:45Does he play your husband?
00:57:47Yes.
00:57:49So Nefertiti also went for men half her age.
00:57:51Isn't that the cutest coincidence?
00:57:53And did you know she was regarded as a fertility goddess?
00:57:56You wouldn't mind, do you?
00:57:58They're waiting for you.
00:58:00This way.
00:58:04Thank you very much.
00:58:06Perfect. Wonderful.
00:58:10We really must go.
00:58:50Oh, I see.
00:58:53What are you doing here?
00:58:55Good morning, Mr Preston.
00:58:57What are you doing here?
00:58:59Miss Gregg invited us.
00:59:01That's not like her.
00:59:03We're so excited, aren't we, Jane?
00:59:05Why didn't she tell me?
00:59:07Scene 48, take 19.
00:59:09Scene 48, take 19.
00:59:11Quiet, please!
00:59:13Why didn't you tell me this?
00:59:15I'm really sorry I didn't tell you before.
00:59:17I don't understand why you didn't remember this.
00:59:19I didn't think it was important.
00:59:22Quiet!
00:59:24And...
00:59:26action!
00:59:36My sweet lord,
00:59:38I am not worthy of this honor.
00:59:46Is he ever going to say anything?
00:59:48It's your line, Marina.
00:59:50Wife is honor enough.
00:59:52I know what it is. Thank you very much.
00:59:54I wouldn't hold your breath for a sequel.
00:59:56And...
00:59:58action!
01:00:00My sweet lord,
01:00:02I am not worthy of this honor.
01:00:04Wife is honor enough.
01:00:06Not worthy.
01:00:08You are a thousand times worthy.
01:00:10Our people await, my queen.
01:00:12Oh, my love.
01:00:14Excuse me. Sorry. I have a line there.
01:00:16Then why the hell didn't you say it?
01:00:18Give me a chance. Give me a chance.
01:00:20Keep on rolling. Get that out of here!
01:00:22And...
01:00:24action!
01:00:28My sweet lord,
01:00:30I am not worthy of this honor.
01:00:32Wife is honor enough.
01:00:34Not worthy.
01:00:36You are a thousand times worthy.
01:00:38Our people await, my queen.
01:00:42As equals, we shall appear before them.
01:00:44We shall appear before them.
01:00:46Oh, my love.
01:00:50Is he going to do it like that?
01:00:52Okay. Hold it. Hold it. Cut there!
01:00:54Do it like what?
01:00:56His hand slipped below my waist.
01:00:58No, it didn't. Tell him, Jason.
01:01:00Casey, could you make sure her hand stays above the waist?
01:01:02It always does, Jason. I wouldn't dream of letting it go anywhere else.
01:01:04Let me know when you've finished!
01:01:06Marina! Coffee!
01:01:08She's quite a handful, isn't she?
01:01:10Oh.
01:01:14Miss Gregg?
01:01:40Jason!
01:01:52Jason!
01:01:56Jason!
01:02:00Jason!
01:02:02Miss Gregg!
01:02:10Jason!
01:02:16Miss Spence?
01:02:18What's happening?
01:02:20Marina thinks her coffee's been poisoned.
01:02:24Good gracious.
01:02:40Oh, my God.
01:02:54Good morning.
01:02:56Good morning.
01:02:58Beautiful weather.
01:03:00Yes, isn't it?
01:03:02Why on earth use the public call box?
01:03:04Rather odd, I thought.
01:03:06So I telephoned the hall and wondered if the line was down.
01:03:08And it wasn't.
01:03:10What do you think of that?
01:03:12Clearly, Miss Blunt did not want to be overheard.
01:03:14Exactly.
01:03:16And one has to ask oneself why.
01:03:22She must have seen something at the party.
01:03:24I'd agree that someone must have seen something.
01:03:26The question is, why?
01:03:28I'd agree that someone must have seen something.
01:03:30The question is, why hasn't that person come forward?
01:03:34Are you suggesting blackmail, Miss Marple?
01:03:36Well, I wouldn't go so far as that.
01:03:38Unless, of course, someone else gets killed.
01:03:42How was it, then?
01:03:44Oh, it was the first day back on set
01:03:46and she played up something rotten.
01:03:48Did she?
01:03:50You've no idea, Cherry. She's a right madame.
01:03:52She thought the coffee was poisoned at one point
01:03:54and blamed me, if you please.
01:03:56No!
01:03:58She did.
01:04:00If it weren't for Mr Red calming things down,
01:04:02I dread to think it might have happened.
01:04:04What did he do?
01:04:06He poured it away.
01:04:08That's a bit silly, isn't it?
01:04:10How do you mean?
01:04:12Because if it was poisoned, there'd be no way of knowing.
01:04:14Do you think it might have been?
01:04:16Well, if they can poison a cocktail...
01:04:18You know, I've been thinking about that.
01:04:20When I was helping out the day of the party,
01:04:22I was quite close to her.
01:04:24She spilled the cocktail all down her dress.
01:04:26There was something funny about it.
01:04:28What?
01:04:30Well, I didn't think anything of it at the time,
01:04:32but mulling it over when I popped into Cosington Hall
01:04:34the other day,
01:04:36I'm almost sure she did it on purpose.
01:04:38Spilled the cocktail on purpose?
01:04:42Yes.
01:04:44It's all right, really.
01:04:46Sorry.
01:04:48Don't worry, it's only a Chanel.
01:04:50That is a bit funny, isn't it?
01:04:52It is.
01:04:54I told her I'd learnt about it.
01:04:56What for?
01:04:58Cos she's been going on and on at me about if I'd seen anything,
01:05:00and then I thought, well, yes, I had.
01:05:14Oh, wow.
01:05:22What is it?
01:05:24The analysis of the coffee Marina complained about.
01:05:26But you poured it away.
01:05:28I saw you.
01:05:30Most of it.
01:05:32I'm pretty adept at sleight of hand, you know.
01:05:34Arsenic.
01:05:36So she was right about it tasting bitter.
01:05:38No.
01:05:40Arsenic has no taste.
01:05:42But her instinct was right.
01:05:44And we thought she was just being hysterical.
01:05:46Don't worry.
01:05:48It'll all work out.
01:05:50She was so happy here.
01:05:52She said that at last she felt she could settle down.
01:05:54Oh.
01:05:56You didn't believe that, did you?
01:05:58I thought there was a chance.
01:06:02These things happen.
01:06:06That's the way life is.
01:06:08Some of us can take it.
01:06:10Some of us can't.
01:06:12But sometimes,
01:06:14some of us can take it
01:06:16and some of us can't.
01:06:20Arsenic,
01:06:22that's serious.
01:06:24Jason,
01:06:26no one is going to poison her here.
01:06:28I've tried once, for God's sake.
01:06:30Jason.
01:06:44Bloody moment.
01:06:46Stupid bloody cow.
01:06:50Jason.
01:07:00Oh.
01:07:02Oh.
01:07:04Oh, God.
01:07:06Oh, God.
01:07:08Oh.
01:07:26Jane Dolly,
01:07:28the Blunt woman,
01:07:30dead.
01:07:36I'm afraid I have some rather bad news, sir.
01:07:40Ella Blunt died this morning.
01:07:42Oh, dear.
01:07:44Cyanide poisoning.
01:07:46How very unpleasant.
01:07:48Why are you telling me this?
01:07:50Didn't you know her?
01:07:52Our paths have crossed once or twice.
01:07:54Wouldn't Jason Rudd
01:07:56ask?
01:07:58I thought you might know something he doesn't.
01:08:00Then I have to disappoint you, Inspector.
01:08:02So there's nothing you could say
01:08:04that would be of assistance?
01:08:08Mr. Hogg?
01:08:10There is something.
01:08:12Yes?
01:08:14A couple of days ago, I got a call.
01:08:16I saw you do it.
01:08:18What?
01:08:20Honey, who is it?
01:08:22I saw you put the tablets
01:08:24in the glass.
01:08:26Did you recognize the voice?
01:08:28No, but I know for a fact
01:08:30it was Ella Blunt.
01:08:32How?
01:08:34Why do you think
01:08:36she called you?
01:08:38I haven't the faintest idea.
01:08:54Come on now, pumpkin.
01:09:00Marina's
01:09:02murder mayhem.
01:09:06To have one murder
01:09:08under one's roof may be regarded
01:09:10as a misfortune to have two
01:09:12looks like carelessness.
01:09:14Marina Gregg's rural evil
01:09:16has been blighted yet again
01:09:18by dastardly deeds.
01:09:20This time in the shape of a poisoned
01:09:22atomizer inserted into
01:09:24the nostrils of Miss Ella Blunt.
01:09:26Miss Blunt,
01:09:28the devoted secretary
01:09:30to Marina Gregg's boyish husband
01:09:32Jason Rudd,
01:09:34was a slave to hay fever
01:09:36and frequently had...
01:09:38Dropping like flies, aren't they, Miss Marple?
01:09:40I wouldn't quite say that.
01:09:42Primrose had a bit of a chinwag
01:09:44with Miss Blunt the other day.
01:09:46Primrose? Primrose Dixon.
01:09:48She works at the studios.
01:09:50She had something to tell her.
01:09:52What did she have to tell her?
01:09:54Well, Primrose helped out on the day of the party, see?
01:09:56Serving drinks and that.
01:09:58And ever since, that Miss Blunt
01:10:00has been going on and on
01:10:02asking her if she saw anything.
01:10:04And if she did, it was her duty to tell her.
01:10:06And did she see anything?
01:10:08Well, when she thought about it,
01:10:10yes, something did strike her
01:10:12as a bit funny, so she thought
01:10:14she'd better tell her. And what was it, Cherry?
01:10:16It was to do with
01:10:18the leather badcock and the cocktail.
01:10:20Oh, yes.
01:10:22She said she did it herself.
01:10:24Did what herself? Spilt the cocktail
01:10:26all down her new dress. You mean accidentally?
01:10:28No. Primrose said
01:10:30she did it on purpose.
01:10:32Spilt the cocktail on purpose?
01:10:34Yes. That is a bit funny, isn't it?
01:10:36Yes. Yes, it is.
01:10:38Don't make much sense
01:10:40whichever way you look at it.
01:10:42No.
01:10:44No, it doesn't.
01:10:46You get on quite well with
01:10:48Primrose, do you, Cherry?
01:10:50Oh, yes, Miss. We've known each other
01:10:52since we were toddlers.
01:10:54Good, because I have a suggestion
01:10:56I think you might quite like.
01:11:16¶¶¶
01:11:46¶¶¶
01:12:16¶¶¶
01:12:18¶¶¶
01:12:20¶¶¶
01:12:22¶¶¶
01:12:24¶¶¶
01:12:26¶¶¶
01:12:28¶¶¶
01:12:30¶¶¶
01:12:32¶¶¶
01:12:34¶¶¶
01:12:36¶¶¶
01:12:38So Ella Blunt had it in mind
01:12:40to blackmail Vincent Hogg.
01:12:42But she got the wrong person.
01:12:44She got the right one in the end.
01:12:46Yes, but I'm at a loss as to know who.
01:12:48I must be losing my touch.
01:12:50None of that, Inspector.
01:12:52I would simply remind you that
01:12:54in my experience it is nearly always
01:12:56the obvious person.
01:12:58Meaning Jason Rudd.
01:13:00Yes, but he seems so very devoted.
01:13:02One cannot see that he has
01:13:04any kind of motive.
01:13:06What reason did he give you
01:13:08for throwing away the coffee?
01:13:10He should surely have left it for you.
01:13:12But he didn't think there was anything wrong with it.
01:13:14Now it seems that ever since the day of the party
01:13:16Miss Gregg has thought that everything was poisoned.
01:13:18But it transpires that he didn't throw it all away.
01:13:20He kept some,
01:13:22had it analysed and found it was poisoned.
01:13:24How interesting.
01:13:26¶¶¶
01:13:28¶¶¶
01:13:30¶¶¶
01:13:32¶¶¶
01:13:34¶¶¶
01:13:36Miss Marple.
01:13:38Yes?
01:13:40You told me about Margot Bentz
01:13:42being adopted by Miss Gregg.
01:13:44You really believe that after all these years...
01:13:46Yes, I do.
01:13:48Children remember, Inspector.
01:13:50Grudge and injustice, sorrow.
01:13:52They do remember.
01:13:54Yes.
01:13:56Yes, I know.
01:13:58My mother, when she died,
01:14:00I was six years old in the nursery having tea.
01:14:02Freshly baked scones straight from the oven.
01:14:04A maid rushed in
01:14:06and whispered to Nanny,
01:14:08there's been a dreadful accident.
01:14:10The mistress, she's been killed.
01:14:12And I didn't cry or speak.
01:14:14I just stared at the scones,
01:14:16still warm from the oven.
01:14:20And even now, whenever I see a plate full of scones,
01:14:22I'm filled with sadness.
01:14:24For a moment I don't remember, but...
01:14:28Then I do.
01:14:30Ridiculous, isn't it?
01:14:32On the contrary, Inspector.
01:14:34It is most revealing.
01:14:38Bobby.
01:14:52Bobby.
01:15:08Bobby.
01:15:16It's...
01:15:22It's...
01:15:30It's your mother.
01:15:38It's your mother.
01:16:08It's your mother.
01:16:22Accounts vary somewhat,
01:16:24but the gist's the same.
01:16:26It's the variations that might provide the clue.
01:16:28Well, according to your friend Mrs Bantry,
01:16:32Heather Badcock said something like,
01:16:34you won't remember, but years ago in Bermuda,
01:16:36I got up from bed when I had chickenpox
01:16:38and came along to see you,
01:16:40and you gave me an autograph.
01:16:42Now, Jason Rudd says that
01:16:44Miss Badcock left her bed with flu
01:16:46to get Marina Gregg's autograph.
01:16:48Did he say when this was?
01:16:50About 12 or 13 years ago.
01:16:52I see.
01:16:54What?
01:16:56Not quite as much as I'd like to.
01:16:58If only I knew why she'd ruined her new dress.
01:17:00Who, Miss Badcock?
01:17:02Yes, it seems such a very odd thing to do.
01:17:04Unless...
01:17:06of course...
01:17:08Oh, I must be very stupid.
01:17:10I am glad that girl is safely in Bournemouth.
01:17:14What girl?
01:17:16Primrose Dixon, the one who works at the studios
01:17:18and spoke to Ella Blunt.
01:17:20How in heaven's name do you know she's in Bournemouth?
01:17:22Because I asked Cherry to take her there on a little holiday.
01:17:24Why on earth did he do that?
01:17:26Because I don't want her to get killed, of course.
01:17:28Chickenpox?
01:17:30You're sure?
01:17:32All the times I wasn't really listening.
01:17:34She didn't say whooping cough.
01:17:36Whooping cough?
01:17:38She wouldn't put on make-up for whooping cough.
01:17:40Make-up?
01:17:42It was the make-up that made you think chickenpox.
01:17:44Or maybe it was nettle rash.
01:17:46Oh, you're hopeless, Dolly.
01:17:52Make-up.
01:17:56Make-up.
01:18:02Make-up.
01:18:10Of course.
01:18:16Yes, thank you so much.
01:18:18Mr. Rudd doesn't see anybody without an appointment.
01:18:20Oh, I still need to see him.
01:18:22He really can't be disturbed.
01:18:24Oh, I'm sure he can.
01:18:26Look, why don't you tell me what it is that you want?
01:18:28I already have. I need to see Mr. Rudd.
01:18:30This is where Marina Gregg would have received her guests.
01:18:32Am I right?
01:18:34Yes.
01:18:36Yes, and I expect she would have been standing about here.
01:18:38Yes, she was.
01:18:40You know, you remind me of someone I once knew.
01:18:42Gerald French.
01:18:44What did he do?
01:18:46Not a lot.
01:18:48Had a most unfortunate past.
01:18:50What kind of a past?
01:18:52Oh, I couldn't possibly say.
01:18:56So if you'd be so kind as to fetch Mr. Rudd.
01:18:58I've got to get this marble.
01:19:00Don't worry, I'll be perfectly all right.
01:19:28I understand now, Mr. Rudd.
01:19:30The whole thing is really very simple.
01:19:32So simple,
01:19:34one just couldn't see it.
01:19:40What can I do for you, Miss Marple?
01:19:42Thank you so much for seeing me.
01:19:44This is really not the best time.
01:19:46Oh.
01:19:48I'm sorry.
01:19:50I'm sorry.
01:19:52I'm sorry.
01:19:54I'm sorry.
01:19:56Oh.
01:20:00An inspector calls.
01:20:02Out flew the net and floated wide.
01:20:04The mirror cracked from side to side.
01:20:08The curse has come upon me,
01:20:10cried the Lady of Shalott.
01:20:12That's how Dolly Bantry
01:20:14described it.
01:20:16The look on your wife's face.
01:20:18Although actually she misquoted.
01:20:20She said doom instead of curse.
01:20:22Perhaps a better word
01:20:24for the circumstances.
01:20:26On the day of the party,
01:20:28while Heather Badcock was talking
01:20:30to your wife, Marina was not
01:20:32looking at her, but at that picture.
01:20:34A picture
01:20:36of a serene mother and child.
01:20:40Though there was doom foreshadowed
01:20:42in your wife's face,
01:20:44it was not on her that doom would fall.
01:20:46It was Heather Badcock who was doomed
01:20:48from the moment she started talking.
01:20:50I don't follow.
01:20:52No one has told you exactly
01:20:54what she said. But they have,
01:20:56Miss Marple, over and over again.
01:20:58But not the crucial phrase, because
01:21:00no one thought it was important.
01:21:02I was just a girl absolutely
01:21:04thrilled at the prospect of seeing you in the flesh.
01:21:06I've always been the most huge fan,
01:21:08but the most ridiculous thing was on that day
01:21:10I went down with the temperature and the doctor said I couldn't go.
01:21:12What a pity. Can you imagine my
01:21:14disappointment, Miss Grey?
01:21:16What did the doctor say it was? German measles.
01:21:18I wasn't feeling
01:21:20really ill. I noticed a little rash on my cheek,
01:21:22so I said to myself, I won't be beaten.
01:21:24I got up, sat some make-up on
01:21:26and went along.
01:21:28I am so pleased that I may be
01:21:30comforted.
01:21:34German measles?
01:21:36That is correct, isn't it, Mr. Rudd?
01:21:38Yes.
01:21:42A very slight illness, really.
01:21:46A rash, a little fever,
01:21:48but extremely infectious.
01:21:50And if a woman contracts it in the early
01:21:52stages of pregnancy, the consequences
01:21:54can be devastating.
01:21:56I think I'm right
01:21:58in saying your wife had a child
01:22:00who was born greatly damaged
01:22:02and that she's never really recovered from the shock.
01:22:04She never knew how
01:22:06or when or from whom she'd...
01:22:08Until the day of the party
01:22:10when a perfectly strange
01:22:12woman came up those stairs
01:22:14and told her.
01:22:16And what made it worse, Heather Batcock was proud
01:22:18of what she'd done.
01:22:20She thought she'd been resourceful and brave
01:22:22in getting up from her sick bed and
01:22:24covering her rash with make-up
01:22:26in order to meet her idol
01:22:28and boasted of it all through her life.
01:22:30She never
01:22:32meant any harm, but people
01:22:34like her lack any real consideration
01:22:36for the way their actions may affect
01:22:38others.
01:22:40Imagine what that
01:22:42moment meant for Marina.
01:22:44For years she'd nursed
01:22:46a kind of hatred for this unknown
01:22:48person who'd caused her tragedy
01:22:50and suddenly she meets that
01:22:52person face to face.
01:22:54A person who seemed so
01:22:56happy and carefree
01:22:58and pleased with herself.
01:23:00It was more
01:23:02than she could bear. Had she
01:23:04had time to think, to calm
01:23:06herself? But she didn't.
01:23:08She always had her pills with her, so
01:23:10it was very easy to do.
01:23:12She put the stuff into
01:23:14her own glass and
01:23:16by any chance anyone noticed,
01:23:18they wouldn't afford anything of it
01:23:20having seen her take them before.
01:23:22She bided her
01:23:24time and
01:23:26presently found the opportunity.
01:23:30She managed to jog
01:23:32Heather Batcock's arm so that she spilt
01:23:34her drink.
01:23:36Don't worry, it's only
01:23:38Chanel. And that
01:23:40was where the confusion lay.
01:23:42Now, I only had the account of what Primrose
01:23:44Dixon reported to Cherry.
01:23:46She said how funny it was
01:23:48that she seemed to spill the drink
01:23:50on purpose.
01:23:52But the she that Primrose referred to
01:23:54was not Heather Batcock,
01:23:56but Marina Gregg.
01:23:58It was really the perfect murder.
01:24:00Have this one.
01:24:02I haven't touched it yet.
01:24:04Please do. I've had far too much already.
01:24:10She wanted Heather Batcock dead.
01:24:16And a few minutes later,
01:24:18she was.
01:24:20But then she was afraid.
01:24:22Afraid someone had seen
01:24:24and could see only one
01:24:26way out. To insist
01:24:28that the murder had been aimed at her.
01:24:30She gave the performance
01:24:32of her life. Jason!
01:24:36And only one person saw through it.
01:24:38This is
01:24:40only a theory.
01:24:42You know it's the truth, don't you, Mr. Rudd?
01:24:44You know because
01:24:46you knew from the first.
01:24:48Can you imagine my disappointment, Miss Gregg?
01:24:50What did the doctor say it was?
01:24:52German measles. Why didn't they
01:24:54really aim? She would go to any lengths
01:24:56to prove that she was the intended
01:24:58victim, even down to doctoring
01:25:00her own coffee.
01:25:02That was her, wasn't it, Mr. Rudd?
01:25:04Yes, I thought so.
01:25:08You were frantic to protect her, but
01:25:10you didn't realize how much
01:25:12you would have to protect her from.
01:25:14It's not only a question of hushing up
01:25:16one death,
01:25:18but also the death of
01:25:20Ella Blunt.
01:25:28Who finally found the right person to blackmail,
01:25:30thanks to Primrose Dixon.
01:25:34I saw you
01:25:36do it.
01:25:38I saw you put the
01:25:40tablets in the glass.
01:25:44I'm very sorry for you, Mr. Rudd.
01:25:46The agony you've
01:25:48been through because you care for her so much.
01:25:50Mr. Rudd,
01:25:52I need to speak to your wife.
01:25:54I'm afraid that won't be possible.
01:25:56It's all over, sir. You can't make excuses
01:25:58for her any longer. Now, where can I find her?
01:26:00In her bedroom, Inspector.
01:26:02She died
01:26:04last night
01:26:06in her sleep.
01:26:16An overdose? That's right.
01:26:18Was it an accident?
01:26:20In my opinion, yes.
01:26:22But it could be suicide.
01:26:24It could, but it's most unlikely.
01:26:26Or someone could have
01:26:28given it to her.
01:26:30It's almost impossible to prove.
01:26:34Doctor.
01:26:36Excuse me.
01:27:04Such a beautiful creature
01:27:06and such a wonderful gift.
01:27:10How sad that she couldn't let go
01:27:12of the past and see the future
01:27:14as it really was.
01:27:18It's very fortunate
01:27:20she took an overdose.
01:27:24Death was really the only
01:27:26escape left.
01:27:30Yes, Mr. Rudd,
01:27:32very fortunate
01:27:34indeed.
01:27:38She was
01:27:40so lovely
01:27:42and she
01:27:44had suffered so much.
01:28:02.
01:28:04.
01:28:10.
01:28:12.
01:28:14.
01:28:16.
01:28:18.
01:28:20.
01:28:22.
01:28:24.
01:28:26.
01:28:28.
01:28:30.
01:28:32.
01:28:34.
01:28:36.
01:28:38.
01:28:40.
01:28:42.
01:28:44.