I recently read an article about what a boon the self-driving car will be to all of us who like to multi-task as we travel. “Driving is the biggest waste of time,” the proposers of this dubious technology cry, “because the only thing you accomplish is getting from one point to another!” I only hope … Continue reading THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GORY: Christie and Hitchcock Ride the Rails
Agatha Christie
EVOLUTION OF A COURTROOM MYSTERY: Witness for the Prosecution
They’re celebrating all mysterious things from 1957 over at Rich’s wonderful blog, Past Offenses, so I thought I’d join the party with some thoughts on Witness for the Prosecution, Billy Wilder’s film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s short story. Discussion will follow which necessitates spoiling the central gimmick of the story. Now, I can’t really imagine anyone … Continue reading EVOLUTION OF A COURTROOM MYSTERY: Witness for the Prosecution
IF IT’S TUESDAY, THIS MUST BE . . . MURDER! Crime on Vacation
Has anyone ever seen the 1969 comedy, If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium, about the misadventures of a group of tourists on a 19-day trip through Europe? It certainly put me off the concept of conducted tours, and it reminded me that no matter how hard you may try, even the best-laid plans for … Continue reading IF IT’S TUESDAY, THIS MUST BE . . . MURDER! Crime on Vacation
FUGUE FOR TEN BODIES: Thoughts on Directing And Then There Were None
Last night was opening night for And Then There Were None, which I directed at the high school where I have been teaching drama for the past twenty-four years. I have been living with this production in my head for the past twelve months, and I approached it with mixed feelings of excitement and concern. … Continue reading FUGUE FOR TEN BODIES: Thoughts on Directing And Then There Were None
ROSEMARY FOR REMEMBRANCE: Christie’s Sparkling Cyanide
People accuse Agatha Christie of creating shallow characters all the time. Truth to tell, she often worked with character “types,” and one could find variations on the same rakish ex-soldier, hearty doctor, dry solicitor, club bore, self-serving vixen, dimwitted serving girl (usually named Gladys), dithery or incompetent mother, and so on, in many of her … Continue reading ROSEMARY FOR REMEMBRANCE: Christie’s Sparkling Cyanide
“THE LOOK ON A PERSON’S FACE”: Christie’s Murder Is Easy
1939 marked the conclusion of the most prolific decade of Agatha Christie’s career. Coming off nine straight novels in a row featuring her Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot (including the classics The A.B.C. Murders and Death on the Nile), Christie ended this streak with two stand-alone mysteries that shared one trait – both were concerned with … Continue reading “THE LOOK ON A PERSON’S FACE”: Christie’s Murder Is Easy
THE FORGOTTEN GENIUS, or Where Did I Park My Carr?
This month, the Tuesday Night Bloggers are celebrating the career of that master of the impossible, John Dickson Carr. Rather than discuss his technique or analyze one of his novels, I offer this existential ramble for your dubious delight: You know, being a classic mystery lover was much easier when I was a kid. In … Continue reading THE FORGOTTEN GENIUS, or Where Did I Park My Carr?
SO MUCH BLOOD: Hercule Poirot’s Christmas
My buddy JJ over at The Invisible Event unfortunately has to go on a short hiatus. I will miss his erudite excursions into mystery fiction, particularly the joy with which he tackles those classic impossible crime stories he so relishes! I thought I would salute JJ with my view on one of Agatha Christie’s rare … Continue reading SO MUCH BLOOD: Hercule Poirot’s Christmas
AGATHA CHRISTIE AS FEMINIST: Appointment With Death
In 1926, Agatha Christie’s husband Archie asked her for a divorce, having fallen in love with another woman. Her subsequent actions could be looked on as both revenge and empowerment: first, the famous “disappearance” which led to suspicions that Colonel Christie might have done away with his wife, and then a series of characterizations throughout … Continue reading AGATHA CHRISTIE AS FEMINIST: Appointment With Death
A TROPICAL IDYLL: Miss Marple Takes On the Caribbean
“’Do you mean that you’ve had no sexual experience at ALL?’ demanded the young man incredulously. ‘At nineteen? But you must. It’s vital.’ “The girl hung her head unhappily, her straight greasy hair fell forward over her face. “‘I know,’ she muttered. ‘I know.’ “He looked at her, stained old jersey, the bare feet, the … Continue reading A TROPICAL IDYLL: Miss Marple Takes On the Caribbean
Ah Sweet Mystery! 