La mano asesina

As other critics have previously pointed out, Margaret Rutherford's portrayal of Jane Marple has little in common with the visions of the character's creator, Agatha Christie. However, just as Basil Rathbone's depiction of Sherlock Holmes (both in his character portrayal and in the film company's telling of most of the tales) had little to do with the original writer's intentions, so too did both he and Miss Rutherford seem to create pseudo-characters, from worthwhile plots, of equal value and entertainment levels.

As the first of a wonderful quartet of easy-to-view movies made in black and white in early 60's England (and the second best of them, overall, in my opinion), this appropriately atmospheric film takes us through a clever little screenplay centred around the family of a large estate 'in the sticks' (on the outskirts of London). The storyline is littered with a mixture of eccentric and fundamental cameo parts that serve up the right amount of suspense and partial comedy as Miss Marple (and her buddy, Mr.Stringer) take it upon themselves to solve a railway murder that Inspector Craddock, the local 'head plod', had put down to being the by-product of her rambling 'hallucinations'.

Not surprisingly, we are kept on our toes as to whom was the culprit as the intrepid Jane goes undercover as a geriatric maid who proves to be so competent in her matriarchal manoeuvres that the 'Lord of the Manor' (superbly played, as ever, by the magnificent James Robertson Justice) seeks her hand in marriage as a sort of reward for her spirited detective work. However, Dame Rutherford had Stringer to consider - not least because he was her partner in real life - and there were of course other stories to film in the future...

What a pity they didn't follow Rathbone and Bruce by making around a dozen of these marvellous movies!

So yes, Miss Agatha Christie herself did not quite care for Miss Margaret Rutherford in the role but Miss Rutherford made of the part her own in her own inimitable fashion even going to the extent of having her very own obedient side-kick, her real-life husband Stringer Davis, known as Jim Stringer in the series, inserted into it. She called the shots and kept the studio afloat. And what a series!

This is the first in it and it evokes the era extraordinarily well, the quick murder and disposal of the body, the old country house, the many suspicious relatives and one of my favourites, James Robertson Justice heading up the entire clan. He even gets to propose to the lady herself, so impressed is he with her detecting.

Add the requisite cute kid, Ronnie Raymond, an excellent bit part by Joan Hickson (the future Miss Marple in the excellent BBC series) and what faults are there to be found in this unique first film of four in the series.

8 out of 10.

Incredibly entertaining, wonderful use of black and white film medium and a really good score.

An unusual day and a totally unpredictable moment for a 'dotty old' Miss Jane Marple (Margaret Rutherford) on her supposedly 'too comfortable' journey by train. As a seemingly gray passenger on the 4.50 train from Paddington, she is not only stuck because of an impertinent little kid but something far more shocking happens in a train passing by her window. Death does not only appear to have windows in a detective story she has been reading...murder is, indeed, no longer a sheer bad dream that an 'unstable' or 'unbalanced' maid could have. It is the stimulus for the most intriguing senses being activated within the most unusual investigation. Soon, she will be the one who can provide light to the dark mystery of a murder. But, can she ever make herself too comfortable again at the weird Ackenthorpe Hall, a mansion where there is a constant vacancy for a maid... a perfect setting for an English mystery thriller with lots of relics from the past? Something that would recall the make-believe in William Gillette's SHERLOCK HOLMES; something that Hitchcock would have developed within the ultimate flair for style...

What this thriller develops is not so much the style but, above all, the absolutely stunning, sympathetic, witty, intelligent, vibrant character of Miss Marple. Based upon the novel by Agatha Christie "4.50 From Paddington" she is the character with certain knowledge of criminal mind. Now, she is placed in the situation which puts her to harsh test and imposes constant alertness. Quoting the New York Times review which appeared just after the American premiere of the movie, Miss Marple proves that "the aging but still vigorous female of the species can be a better sleuth than the Scotland Yard operatives." Name of Marple, nature of marble (referring to the screenplay)...that is what highlights best her character. That is also what makes it interesting also for modern audiences. And MURDER SHE SAID beautifully introduces her to viewers. However, the true entertainment does not lie in the literary source (Agatha Christie was not happy about the numerous liberties taken) but by the actress who interprets Miss Marple, adorable Dame Margaret Rutherford.

Although MURDER SHE SAID is just the first of four movies made within the adaptations, she appears as a truly creative and gifted performer from the very start. It is Miss Rutherford who dominates our attention and makes the thriller a rarity of its genre as a novel adaptation and as a cinematic production. When I saw her performance first with my friend, I was stunned throughout. In majority, thanks to her, thrill is combined with humor and cutting tongue with the most honest intentions. She executes her lines marvelously! Determined but calm and patient, witty but, as wisely advised, never 'too comfortable' - that is how she remains with viewers and allows us to grasp the idea of skillfully proceeding acting. As her male counterpart, in a way, comes Stringer Davis, her husband in real life, in the role of Mr Stringer. From the moment when the police inspector Craddock (Charles Tingwell) occurs to care little about the crime, they begin their own investigation. In their scenes, the two carry the essence of humor in the film. Just to note the unforgettable scene when, early in the morning after 'hearty breakfast,' Mr Stringer is giving Miss Marple 'a leg up' and they find both the dog and the man really 'frightful-looking.' Alone, she is absolutely captivating when encountering the Ackenthorpes, a really peculiar dynasty with just little exceptions (Emma). It seems that the only good thing the family have ever done were...delicious biscuits. It soon occurs that both things and crimes go in threes. All sorts of people from neurotic eccentrics to calm doctors gently tease our senses...

They are all worth broader consideration as supporting characters, those temporary 'tresspassers' who highlight the backdrop for the mystery because the performances are exceptionally well crafted. James Robertson Justice, an eminent British actor, beautifully portrays an old, pretentious, mean, neurotic 'Chairman' of the family who cannot stand the drawbacks of his own within other people, including impertinence. He strongly and strictly prefers beef steak to beef broth. Everything and everybody seem to move around his affairs and his premonitions of what he thinks other people mean. Some of the most spicy moments appear between him and Miss Marple with memorably cutting remarks in their lines. Apart from Charles Tingwell as skeptical inspector Craddock (who appears in all four films), the cast who need particular attention are Arthur Kennedy as family's ambiguous doctor and Ronnie Raymond as 'too clever' yet sympathetic youngster Alexander, who sees the family as 'vultures' with some exceptions and who appears and disappears in the most unpredictable moments. Consider his scenes with Miss Marple...They seem to share some interests...in golf for instance.

The atmosphere of the movie makes MURDER SHE SAID a pure classic thriller, old thriller with the magic of black and white and the slight features of horror in some of the scenes. It is considerably supported by lighting, sets and undertones of images. The magical effect is provided by Ron Goodwin's music score where a variety of tunes beautifully create a balance between tension and relief.

MURDER SHE SAID and, finally, 'riddle she figures out' and 'murderer she finds' yet...before you decide to see this movie, which I highly recommend, prepare for great tensions and a number of misleading predictions. Worn in lots of mysteries, lots of suspicions - yes. But isn't that what should emerge from a perfect detective story? Never ignore 'dotty old maid' and never skip a 'dotty old thriller' that may truly surprise us all. Indeed, a sleuth's work is never done and Miss Rutherford makes us look forward to more ...

My recent discovery of the old Rutherford-Marple films has been sort of a revelation to me. Joan Hickson (who interestingly appears in this film) does a more accurate Marple if you read the novels, but I feel Rutherfords interpretation gives the part the edge needed for the screen. Light hearted and managing to combine some dry British humor with suspense. Sort of a forgotten art nowadays. So far I have seen three Rutherford Marple-films, this one, murder a the gallop and murder ahoy. I do rate Murder she said as the best, it seems slightly more inspired than the others, though they are all enjoyable. There are of course a few complaints. Mrs. Rutherfords husband is obviously included in the film for no other reason than being her husband. The character of young Alexander is simply annoying, and the ending is a bit of a disappointment. Still, do see this movie if you enjoy the typical British dry wit, and watch out for the stunning appearance of James Robertson Justice !

An elderly spinster called Miss Marple witnesses a man strangling a woman on a passing train. When nobody believes her she investigates the crime herself.

Murder She Said marked the first big-screen appearance of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. The script by David Pursall and Jack Seddon is based on the 1957 novel "4:50 From Paddington". Its success lead to three more equally entertaining films starring Margaret Rutherford. Agatha Christie liked Rutherford as an actress but thought that she was all wrong for the part. Indeed Rutherford is nothing like the Jane Marple that Joan Hickson would portray in the highly successful BBC series of the 1980's-90's, but she is a delight to watch as she makes the part entirely her own and earned herself a legion of fans. Incidentally, Hickson appears in this film in a minor role as the miserable housekeeper Mrs Kidder. A great supporting cast includes Muriel Pavlow, Arthur Kennedy and James Robertson Justice. Charles Tingwell plays the hapless Inspector Craddock who cannot bear Miss Marple interfering and solving his cases for him, a role which in which he is featured in all the entries in this series. Another regular in the series is Stringer Davis (Rutherford's real life husband) who plays the local librarian and her closest friend Mr Stringer.

Director George Pollock worked steadily as an assistant director during the forties and fifties and during that time he learned at the feet of some of Britain's most acclaimed directors such as Thorold Dickinson on Gaslight (1940) and David Lean on Brief Encounter, Great Expectations (both 1945) and Oliver Twist (1948). After directing a few trivial comedies such as Village Of Daughters (1961), Pollock had an opportunity with the Marple films to show that he was a very good director investing the films with great British humour as well as intriguing mystery making them timeless entertainment. The films resembled the quota quickies of the 1950's, but they were done with a slightly higher budget, more professionalism and better production values. In addition, Ron Goodwin's music is splendid and the harpsichord laden theme tune would become familiar as it was used in all the other entries in this series. I don't think I would be going over the top to use a well-worn phrase "they don't make them like that anymore". "4:50 From Paddington" has been filmed twice subsequently. In 1987 the BBC gave us a faithful but rather stodgy version starring Joan Hickson and ITV filmed it in 2004 as part of their new series of Miss Marple whodunits starring Geraldine McEwan. But the less said about these the better.

Sequels: MURDER AT THE GALLOP (1963), MURDER MOST FOUL (1964) and MURDER AHOY (produced in 1964 but released in late 1965 to space out the series).