Der Wachsblumenstrauß

Miss Marple (Margaret Rutherford) and Mr. Stringer (Stringer Davis) are collecting money for The Reformed Criminals Assistance League, and the old lady decides to pay a visit to the stingy Old Enderby (Finlay Currie). They go to his manor and witness him dying frightened to death by a cat. Miss Marple snoops around the house and finds a piece of mud that she keeps with her.

She calls the police and later she reports to Inspector Craddock (Charles Tingwell) that Old Enderly was murdered. However he tells that the Death Certificate states the cause of his death as heart failure and Old Enderby had had a severe heart condition for many years. Miss Marple decides to investigate one of the heirs but she finds her dead in her house with her housemaid Miss Milchrest (Flora Robson). Then she lodges in The Gallop Hotel to investigate who might be the murderer. When her prime suspect is killed, she finds the reason why the assassin is killing the relatives of Old Enderby. Now Miss Marple plots a scheme to catch the killer.

"Murder at the Gallop" is another highly entertaining comedy and mystery with Miss Marple. There are delightful scenes, like Miss Marple telling the Inspector Craddock that he should read Agatha Christe, or Miss Marple dancing Twist with Mr. Stringer. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Sherlock de Saias" ("Sherlock in Skirts")

Whilst out collecting funds for the Church roof Miss Marple and Mr Stringer witness the death of Mr Enderby, frightened to death by a pathological fear of cats he left a vast fortune to his family, could a member of his family have been greedy enough to kill for money?

Loosely based on a Poirot story 'After the Funeral, it's big and brassy, more fun then serious, but it genuinely works. It looks beautiful in black and white. The music is fun and seems to almost mirror Rutherford's personality, it's also loud and brisk, at times though it is a little over the top, a bit grindy.

Rutherford is just fabulous, she's so charismatic and humorous, she's a joy to watch, for me it's a shame only four films were made, a few more would have been great. Robert Morley is great fun as is Stringer Davies, but the star turn comes from Dame Flora Robson, so soft and delicate faced, she gives a fabulous performance as Miss Milchrest.

The best bit is definitely the ending, Miss Marple in an evening gown doing the twist, sent to bed, and confronted by the murderer, honestly it's just bliss.

I can imagine the die hard Christie fans being horrified at the thought of watching this, but it somehow goes beyond it. The humorous tone somehow allows the liberties. I must point out that Suchet's After the Funeral is a stunning production.

Take it for what it is, pure entertainment, huge amounts of fun. Possibly my favourite of her Miss Marple outings 10/10

Although Margaret Rutherford's take on Miss Marple was not to Agatha Christie's liking she stands out as one of the best Miss Marples in my estimation. She injected a lively quirkiness to the character which has been lacking in recent portrayals.

This is one of my 4 most favorite films Rutherford's timing and expressions are a joy to watch on screen!

I have not read the book on which the film is based--but I understand it was a Hercule Poirot book not a Miss Marple book. Anyway in Christie's novels with Miss Marple there was no "Mr Stringer" the real life husband of Dame Margaret Rutherford. But it is Dame Margaret and Stringer Davis that makes the Marple films come alive apart from Ron Goodwin's charming score.

This is the first movie I have seen in which the author of the book on which the film is based is discussed. This movie will not survive trenchant criticism--it is best viewed as a fun movie with loads of British humour.

What strikes you is that the film is really a women's film, with even Robert Morley having to take a back seat to Dame Margaret and Dame Flora Robson who steal the show.

Of the films in the series, 'Murder Ahoy' I thought was most charming because of the supporting cast and a stronger role for Mr Stringer. "Murder at the gallop" has a weaker story and screenplay in comparison. Yet all these Miss Marple films can be enjoyed by one and all, years after they were made.

Probably my favorite Rutherford Marple, this movie is funny, suspensful, and wildly entertaining. Whatever Agatha Christie thought of this movie, she greatly admired Margaret Rutherford, dedicating one of her best books The Mirror Crack'd to her. Once again, great support acting from Stringer Davis (Rutherford's real life husband) and from Robert Morley. Don't you think that Inspector Craddock would have learned to listen to Miss Marple by this movie?