The Spider's Web

It's one of Agatha Christie's lesser known stage plays, but it's quite an intriguing mystery, with some unexpected moments, and a rather surprise ending. Glynis Johns is utterly charming as Clarissa Hailsham-Brown, the whole film depends on her delivering, making the character insanely enthusiastic, energetic and hugely inquisitive, and that she does incredibly well. She is well supported and in good company, Cicely Courtneidge grabs my attention the most, with an excellent performance as Miss Peake. Peter Butterworth adds some wonderful humour as the bemused and baffled Inspector Lord.

It's definitely well acted, well produced, you can tell by the costumes and design that very early 1960's, as it has a wonderfully proper feel to it.

Previously made in the 50's with Margaret Lockwood, It would be remade by the BBC for Christmas in 1982, for what is my personal favourite adaptation, I adore Penelope Keith's interpretation of Clarissa.

Come on BBC this one could be remade rather easily :-)

Nice movie 8/10

Glynis Johns is the sort of sweet but vague woman who calls everyone 'darling'. So when a dead man turns up behind the couch, she calls her houseguests and has them move the body into the secret passage in the house.

It's based on one of Agatha Christie's lesser known stage plays. Like most of her writing, it is marvelously plotted, but indifferently written. It relies on a fine cast to bring this murder mystery to life, including Jack Hulbert, Cicely Courtneidge, Ronald Howard, Ferdy Mayne, and Peter Butterworth as the befuddled inspector.

It's been opened up slightly from the stage play, resulting in a four-set movie.

Sometimes it seems as if makers of mystery movies have two choices: they can make a good mystery or they can make a good movie. This one is enlivened by a fine cast, but not enough to make it more than an indifferent programmer.

Once, long before I actually saw the film, I read a review which stated that "The Spider's Web" is so bad that only die-hard Agatha Christie fans would be able to somewhat enjoy it. Yeah, well, I happen to be a die-hard Christie fan and I didn't just "somewhat enjoyed" it; - I loved it! Besides, whoever wrote that dumb review must have been a real sourpuss, because even objectively speaking, I think that "The Spider's Web" is excellent entertainment for various types of audiences. It's a light-headed and comical murder mystery with spirited performances, nice scenery and decors (albeit limited because it's an adaptation of a stage play), ingenious plot twists and a memorable climax. In terms of atmosphere and narrative style, "The Spider's Web" is quite similar to the contemporary Miss Marple film series starring Margaret Rutherford ("Murder She Said", "Murder at the Gallop", "Murder Ahoy" and "Murder Most Foul"). If you liked those, there's a strong chance you will also very much love "The Spider's Web". Glynis Johns Gives a delightfully energetic performance as the hectic housewife Clarissa Hailsham-Brown, trying to cover up a murder in order to safeguard her household and even persuading three sophisticated gentlemen to sabotage the police investigation. Another woman, Cicily Courtneidge, is also outstanding as the intrusive and non-stop talkative gardener Mrs. Peake. True, I may be biased, because I worship Agatha Christie and firmly believe she was the greatest fiction writer in history, but regardless of that, "The Spider's Web" is a fun flick; - period!

This being a Danziger film you don't have great expectations.Presumably most of the money was spent on buying the film rights and colour.So there is only one set and Johns only gets one frumpy dress.John's overreacting is matched by Courtneidge.The music will drive you round the bend.Almost continuous and very intrusive.The pace is leaden.So a disappointment.

The Quick Pitch: Having discovered a dead body in her drawing room, Clarissa Hailsham-Brown is more concerned with how it will look to a visiting diplomat than she is with who committed the murder. She convinces three friends to help her not only hide the body, but also hide the truth from the police.

Based on an Agatha Christie play, The Spider's Web is a light, airy, mystery/comedy that's less concerned with who-did-it and more concerned with how-do-we hide-it. The film succeeds thanks in large part to the efforts of Glynis Johns. She's bright, funny, quirky, and, above all else, supremely entertaining. Her character, Clarissa, is the energy behind the film. She's a non-stop whirlwind of plots and schemes that are a joy to watch unfold. Johns is joined by a strong supporting cast, including Cicely Courtneidge, Ferdy Mayne, and Peter Butterworth (so good as the befuddled police inspector). All of the performances are helped along by some cleverly written dialogue. I'm not sure, however, who to credit - Christie or screenwriters Eldon Howard and Albert G Miller - but it's a solid script. And the whole production benefits from an appropriately jazzy, bouncy score. It fits nicely with the action on screen. My only complaint is with the film's pacing. While I'll give director Godfrey Grayson a big chunk of credit for the overall finished product, the film dragged a bit for me in the first act. But once the dead body turns up, The Spider's Web becomes an incredibly enjoyable experience.

7/10