The Man in the Brown Suit

This could have been a lot better. Stephanie Zimbalist and Simon Dutton are good as the leads with romantic sparks. The rest of the cast is good, but the script does not give them much chance to show their talents.

The main problem is with the pacing. The set-up to the story is interesting, but the action really drags at times, especially near the end. On the plus side, this is a basically enjoyable little movie, and a reminder of the now-vanished art form of the network TV-movie! I think it would have been more fun, had the producers chosen to set it in the 1920's or 1930's, prime Agatha Christie periods; but perhaps budget issues made them make it contemporary.

Bottom line: a modest, fairly enjoyable light mystery with some humor, and two leads with charm. Not a standout mystery film, but not bad.

Knowing perfectly this is not and extraordinary movie, I have liked it anyway.

I find it especially light even sweet...I have been loving the book very much which is far better than the movie but I think every woman will like the romantic female (zimbalist) leading the film, though seeing the movie imagination has to work a little bit further.

"The Man in the Brown Suit", a made-for-TV movie adapted from an Agatha Christie novel, is lightweight entertainment. While its not quite in the same league as the great 1978 theatrical release "Death on the Nile" or even 1974's "Murder on the Orient Express", it's still an interesting murder mystery. Stephanie Zimbalist stars as a woman looking for adventure in Egypt. She stumbles across an accident that is linked to a recent murder. She follows a clue onto a cruise ship that features the usual assortment of odd, colorful characters. Among the passengers she meets: Edward Woodward as a man of English royalty; Rue McClanahan as a southern belle (who at times seems to be playing her "Golden Girls" character Blanche); Tony Randall as a reverend with a awkward speaking voice; and Ken Howard as a CIA operative who's tracking the mystery himself. She also meets the mystery man of the title. Most of the performances are good except for Randall who's miscast badly (especially when he turns up in a couple of different roles that I won't go into), and the film for the most part is entertaining. Worth a look if you can find it on TV.

*** (out of four)

The Man in the Brown Suit is the last of some 1980s TV movies made as US/UK co-productions for CBS TV. Changing the location to Cairo (the film was actually shot in Madrid and Cadiz) does the story no harm. Ken Westbury's beautiful photography of cascading waterfalls and other lush scenery is certainly an asset, and Alan Shayne's high production values make the film worth watching. The script is fairly well-written by Carla Jean Wagner.

Once again, second-tier American TV actors associated with current or recently past CBS productions, are included (as well as Tony Randall). Stephanie Zimbalist is a little too cutesy at times, while Rue McClanahan thinks this film is another episode of The Golden Girls. Ken Howard is bland and mediocre at the best of times.

On the other hand the aforementioned actors' British counterparts show them what acting is all about. Best in the cast is Edward Woodward, a great talent who gives a splendid performance. Woodward had just finished a five-year run on CBS as Robert McCall in "The Equalizer," and that may have had something to do with him being in this film (lucky for us!!!). Simon Dutton, who was starring as Simon Templar in TV films of "The Saint" at this time (1988-89) is quite good as "the man in the brown suit." And Nickolas Grace is also quite effective as secretary Guy Underhill.

Warner Brothers' TV policy was to cast actors who were identifiable to TV audiences in the U.S, which does not mean they chose people of great talent or suitability to the roles. They should have taken a lesson from the BBC, Thames TV, London Weekend TV and ITV, all of whom flawlessly cast their productions with actors reflecting the character of their parts, capturing the wonderful flavour of Agatha Christie's writing.

Not all Agatha Christie movies are written true to form of her books. Of course, what movie is really? This is a charming adventure with a young woman tired of her humdrum life looking for more excitement. She soon finds it with a romance and a mystery. The gorgeous leading man and the cute leading lady (Stephanie Zimbalist) make for a cute couple. Had me guessing things until the very end the first time I saw this, and I have a taped copy (wish I had the original now). Interesting not to have the typical Miss Marple or Hercules Poirot characters and yet lends one to wanting to read the book. Tony Randall was quite funny with his different characters. I believe this is well-worth the viewing.