Time for Murder

In the spirit of Playhouse 90, we have a collection of six stories by top (weird but I know these writers and they are top) are played by the top or popular British actors. Each story is unique; even if you think you recognize the formula you may be surprised at the intricacy and well entertained by trying to figure out who done it.

All filmed in 1985, but not their content as I do not want to inadvertently give you any clues. I am not sure they did not use the same environment to film each story.

See each episode review is too short for an individual entry so they are all here.

"Bright Smiler" by Fay Weldon. A burnt-out writer goes to a spa for a rest and some good food. Sorry, it is not that kind of spa; exercise, purging, and a masseuse with something behind her Bright Smile. If it seems a bit talkie at first just hangs in there and all will be revealed. Renée Asherson Plays the over influential mother.

"The Murders at Lynch Cross" by Frances Galleymore. This time it is Lynch Cross Moorland Hotel in Yorkshire and of course, the odd collection of guests including Dr. David Warreck (John Castle) and servants is snowed in. They find that they all are associated with a previous event. It looks like for some or all this is their last event. If you are thinking of Agatha Christies, "And Then There Were None" forget it.

"Mister Clay, Mister Clay" by Antonia Fraser. One of the teachers that may turn up dead is Joan Hickson, who plays Miss Marple in many Agatha Christie movies; she was also good in "The Man Who Never Was" (1956). It is a new school year and boys being boys (now let's not think of "Lord of the Flies") taunt the teacher Mr. Clay with "who are you going to kill today?" They may just find out.

"This Lightning Always Strikes Twice" by Michael Robson. Claire Bloom (who played Felicia in "The Illustrated Man" was married to Rod Steiger) plays the mother. Very rich parents bring in a tutor for their daughter. Now we all know what inevitably happens when tutors are thrown together with rich cute daughters. That just maybe their plan. The tutor resists temptation and someone(s) dies.

"The Thirteenth Day of Christmas" by Gordon Homeycombe. There is always a dud or bad apple in every anthology collection. This starts and finishes depressing. Elizabeth Spriggs was much better in "Midsomer Murders".

"Dust to Dust" by Charles Wood. Michael Jayston meets his match. Will he be ax-cepted? Lots of talk. And the truth about thugs. The series went downhill.

An ill fated, obscure, much forgotten six part series of one off episodes, at times they feel like episodes of Thriller, and at other times they feel like episodes of Tales of the Unexpected.

A very mixed bag overall, some are pretty good, others aren't. I thought the best episode of the lot was Mr Clay, Mr Clay, this was very accomplished, a dramatic and pretty shocking mystery, this one really did hit the spot. Bright Smiler is also a very enjoyable, off the wall Mystery.

Sadly, the standard is varied, The Thirteenth day of Christmas for example is a very poor episode, it feels disjointed from the other episodes, and generally just doesn't work.

Nicely made, and well acted, great acting from the likes of Patricia Hodge, Elizabeth Spriggs and Jane Asher.

It doesn't surprise me that people don't remember it, it is pretty forgettable. 6/10.