Well as you all know I am a Vlogger as well as a blogger, a man of many talents or what. Well one of the videos I love creating are Murder Mystery Videos as I am such a huge mystery fan. I love creating these videos and challenging the viewers to figure out Whodunnit. I havent done one of these videos in ages and with Valentines Day coming up I had the idea to do a Valentines themed Murder Mystery which sort of contrasts with it being a day of love. In a Nutshell the Victim Cindy is known for romancing many men but did it result in her being murdered, you’ll have to watch the video to find out
Here are the Four Suspects but the question is which of them is guilty. You’d better watch the Vlog to find out
As you can all guess I love a good Murder Mystery and Agatha Christie’s “Poirot” ticks all the boxes for the classic whodunnit. The 1930’s setting is so beautifully recereated through beautiful sets and costumes not to mention some exotic locations. Of course I love all of Agatha Christie’s books filled with complex cases, mysterious characters and of course the number one detective Hercule Poirot. He is played to magnificent perfect by David Suchet in this series and captures all those Poirot traits and personality highlights. Poirot also always has help in the form of close friend Arthur Hastings (Hugh Fraser), Chief Inspector James Japp of Scotland Yard (Phillip Jackson) and Secretary Miss Felicity Lemon (Pauline Moran) to help solve the case. Poirot is such a unique character and what makes the series so good to watch, that and all the dead bodies that pop up all over the place.
1: THE MYSTERYIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES
Poirot’s first case upon his arrival in England see’s him investigate the strychnine poisining of a rich elderly lady by one her dysfunctional family. Suchet and Fraser as Poirot and Hastings in this episode prove why they have such a fantastic Holmes and Watson style dynamic with Hastings always leading Poirot to the main clue. Some fantastic performances from the rest of the cast, as in any country house mystery elderly rich people have relatives who would kill for thier money. With one or two slight alterations from the book the story still perfectly works on screen. It also perfectly captures the early 1900’s setting before bringing the series into the 1930’s.
2: THE ABC MURDERS.
I love this adaption of one of Christie’s most ingenious stories and Poirot is really put to the test here. Suchet gives one of his most terrific performances here as he picks up on facts and clues that prove crucial to the case, the reveal scene is a testament to this as he puts everything together to reveal the real Murderer. Donald Sumpter as Alexander Bonaparte Cust also brings more intrigue to the story as the perfect red herringto keep the viewers thinking.
3: HERCULE POIROTS CHRISTMAS.
Christmas for Hercule Poirot should be a time for relaxation instead he faces murder, the theft of uncut diamonds and a mansion full of relatives prepared to kill for thier own ends. Some slight changes away from the book but still a fantastic adaption filled with mystery and intrigue. A notable change is Inspector Japp being brought into the story to help investigate after being rescued from his tedious relations. The solution itself is perfectly presented as Poirot once again puts all the pieces together for a completely unexpected conclusion.
4: FIVE LITTLE PIGS.
Poirot is brought into prove if Caroline Crayle really did poison her husband Aymas Crale fourteen years before or was it one of the other people close to him. An enjoyable adaption that interweaves between past and present as everyone’s accounts of that fateful summer reveal the truth. The cast are all perfect in thier respective roles including an elegant mesmerising performance by Julie Cox as Elsa Greer. Suchet again shows how maginificent he is in bringing Poirot to life as he weaves the solution from the accounts of the possible suspects and exposes who really poisoned Aymas Crale.
5: DEATH ON THE NILE.
Visually stunning, set on the Nile in Egypt and undoubtedly my Favourite Episode and the one that introduced me to Poirot is visually beautiful with a terrific ensemble cast. A Young Heiress on honeymoon is shot dead by one of the other passengers with the main one being her Husband’s betrayed former Fiance Jacqueline De,Belfort who has been stalking the couple since thier honeymoon began. Aside from Suchet Emma Griffith’s Malin as Jacqueline gives a fiery performance as the a woman scorned and possible killer. Again the cinematography of all Egypt’s wonders such as the pyrmaids make this a feast viusally and also the performances.
6: THE HOLLOW.
If you ever wondered what it would be like for someone to try and really outwit Poirot then this episode gives you that. The reveal of this episode is quite unexpected and ingenious, never say that the most obvious suspect would be too tedious as it is that that makes it such a great story. Lystette Anthony also gives an alluring performance as Film Star Veronica Cray. The episode also offers some fascinating visuals such as an intracate almost theatrical tableau of suspects around the body by the swimming pool.
7: CARDS ON THE TABLE.
A Very intricate and clever mystery where there are only four suspects all in one room with a body but who took the risk to commmit murder. Normally a Poirot episode has 6/7 or more suspects but having only four really adds to the intricacy of the story. The victim himself Mr Shaitana is also quite an elegant mesmerising charecter who still holds influence over the story even after he is murdered and his slippery charcter could hold a vital clue to solving the mystery. There are some major changes from the novel but it is still an enjoyable episode filled with mystery and intrigue
8: AFTER THE FUNERAL.
Undoubtedly one of Christie’s finest Country House mysteries, the Funeral of Richard Abernathie is thrown into choas when his sister Cora blurts out he was murdered only to be bumped off herself the very next day. Poirot finds himself surrounded by a rather disconnected somewhat flamboyant family who are not being totally honest about their wherabouts the day after the funeral. The ensemble cast all perform very well as another typical Chrstie Dysfunctional rich Family. The reveal scene is one of the best in the series as Poirot assembles everyone together, assembles the clues and reveals the guilty party. One of my favourite reveal scenes, those Christie style ones are the best.
9: MRS MCGINTY’S DEAD.
Poirot investigates the murder of a charwoman the convicted man is innocent and who in a village full of interesting characters. The visuals also add to the episode as beneath the picturesque idyllic setting, something or someone very wicked is at work. Helping Poirot figure everything out with her comic rather bizzarre womens intuition is Crime Novelist Ariadne Oliver played by Zoe Wanamaker whose flustered, bubbly performance brings a sense of comedy to the episode. Some interesting unqiue characters in this Village such as a Politician, his mysterious Wife, A Playwright, any of whom could be the real killer.
10: MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS.
David Suchet’s performance as Poirot is put to the test as Detective who believe in justice and what is right must make a huge choice upon revealing the guilty party. The sense of claustrophobia, entrapment, fear and suspicioun among the passengers on the snow trapped train is evident as well brought together by an excellent ensemble cast including the wonderful Barbera Hershey. The reveal scene is really perfectly executed and there is so much evident tension and intensity as we await to see what Poirot will do once he knows the truth or will he bend his principles just once.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
One Two Buckle My Shoe
Dumb Witness
Lord Edgeware Dies
Murder in Mespotamia
The Mystery of the Blue Train
Cat Among the Pigeons
The Clocks
Well there you have it, My Top 10 Favourite Episodes of Poirot and I hope after reading this you will check out the series, I will also do a Top 10 of my Favourite Aagatha Christie Novels on this and and as well on my Book Blog.
He’s the Detective all Killers fear, the one who picks up on those little crucial details and always has one more question after already asking about a hundred. Frankly I’m surprised the Killers don’t confess on the spot to get away from Columbo. The formula of Columbo where you see the Killer commit the murder at first seems to take away from the intrigue of Columbo solving the case. However as the episode progresses you see how the Killer ticks and how despite all thier careful planning Columbo figures out everything and the killer goes to Jail. Columbo is indeed a funny character with his crumpled Raincoat and Cigar, hardly the look for a Police Detective but it is the genius brain he has that defines him. Unlike today’s gimmicky rubbish Columbo is a show that uses Celebrity Guest Stars PROPERLY and to drive the story forward. Picking out my Top 10 Favorite Columbo episodes was tricky but here they are
1: PRESCRIPTION: MURDER
The Pilot Episode of Columbo, Psychiatrist Dr. Ray Fleming with help from his Mistress murders his wife and then creates an alibi through disguising the Mistress as his Wife. In this Colombo’s first Television outing he must put all the pieces together and expose Fleming’s guilt. Indeed Colombo’s appearance here is very different as he is more neatly presented before the show changed him to the scruffy cigar chomping sleuth we know today. A Cold, Calculating Performance from Gene Barry whose lack of emotion paint him as the first of many merciless Columbo Villain’s and foreshadowing the many more to come
2: MURDER BY THE BOOK
A Mystery Writer wants to break up the partnership with his Not so talented Partner Ken Franklin to go out and write on his own. Franklin however attempts to commit the perfect crime by killing his partner and creating a false alibi. The Investigating Columbo however suspects Franklin very quickly and works tirelessly to expose him. The first of Jim Cassidy’s Columbo appearances and the main highlight of the episode. Cassidy is indeed a Cool Customer killing without a care or any regret. When blackmailed he deals the poor woman a killing blow without mercy. One thing he didn’t count however on was the Tenacious Columbo who is just as relentless to get his man.
3: DEATH LENDS A HAND
The head of a Private Detective Agency is hired to investigate a Publishing Magnate’s Wife suspected of adultery but he lies to the Husband but in return the Wife must give him political and corporate information about her Husband. She refuses and threatens to expose however he kills her before she can. Columbo again is the case and the episode ends with a rather satisfying Gotcha moment. Robert Culp as killer Carl Brimmer is indeed another cold customer working alongside Columbo as cover but it all ends badly for him when he is tricked into revealing his guilt by one of Colombo’s clever ploys
4: SUITABLE FOR FRAMING
Art Critic Dale Kingston murders his Uncle in order to obtain his Priceless Valuable Art Collection and with the help of devoted Art Student tries to make it look like a botched Robbery. Upon investigation Columbo is highly skeptical of this and set’s out to expose Dale’s guilt ending with another one of Colombo’s iconic sleight of hand expose tricks. Dale played by Ross Martin is indeed a slimy, devious character hiding indeed a heart of stone beneath a snobby, well dressed and educated exterior. It’s a true testament to this show where the Killer’s are just as much the highlight of the episodes as Columbo.
5: LADY IN WAITING
Repressed Beth Chadwick murders her controlling Older Brother and attempts to make it look she shot him by accident thinking he was a prowler. Columbo instantly is not fooled and set’s out to expose Beth with a little help from her Fiance. Susan’s Clark’s Beth Chadwick is one of those Killer’s you actually feel sympathy for and understand why she did what did, so she could live her own life. This episode is almost ahead of it’s time given how female independence is a huge theme in TV Shows Nowadays. Her interactions with Columbo present them as the perfect foils for each other, she even intercepts his one more question routine with a stern warning. Columbo indeed has his hands full with this case
6: DAGGER OF THE MIND
A Respected British Shakespearean Acting couple end up killing thier Producer when he threatens to expose them for tricking him into financing thier production of Macbeth so they cover it up. Columbo on a work trip to Scotland Yard becomes embroiled in the case it becomes a bus-man’s holiday as Columbo pieces the puzzle together to expose the Shakespearean duo. One of the most hilarious highlights is Columbo running around London with his Camera capturing everything like a typical tourist.
7: REQUIEM FOR A FALLING STAR
A Faded Film Actress Nora Chandler set’s out to kill a Blackmailing Gossip Columnist but in a twist of fate it’s her Assistant who perishes in the Murder. With Columbo on the case Nora must try to pull the wool over his eyes as well as preventing him from finding out a very big secret. Anne Baxter plays another Killer with whom you can sympathize as she tries to outwit Columbo. The best part is the final twist at the end as Nora’s biggest secret is revealed and it’s one that’s been right in front of Columbo but not the metaphorical way you would think.
8: DOUBLE SHOCK
A Wealthy Uncle engaged to a Younger Woman which is opposed by his Two Twin Nephews is fatally electrocuted but the question is which of the Twins is the guilty one. Columbo indeed will have his work cut out figuring out this one and also trying keep off the wrong side the Family House-Keeper. The highlight of this episode and indeed the most hilarious part is Columbo trying not to upset the Household’s Fearsome Housekeeper Mrs. Peck who is infuriated by every little thing Columbo does from dropping cigarette ash to accidentally breaking the Master’s favourite pitcher. Columbo was lucky to get out of the house alive and Mrs. Peck isn’t even the Killer.
9: FORGOTTEN LADY
Aging Star Grace Wheeler played by the Phenomenal Janet Leigh wants to resume her career on the stage with a huge show but her Husband refuses to finance her comeback so in turn she kills him and makes it look like suicide. Columbo of course finds several holes in the story pieces together what really happened leading what can only be described as rather one the more sad endings to a Columbo Episode. Janet Leigh is absolutely fantastic in this episode almost knocking Columbo off the reel (Pardon the Pun) and this is another one of those killers we feel our hearts break for as the truth is revealed it comes with rather a sad truth. This episode comes close to being my top Favorite Episode of Columbo
10: NOW YOU SEE HIM
Magician and Illusionist Santini is being blackmailed by his Manager over his Nazi Past. With an unbreakable alibi of being inside a water tank he kills the Manager but Columbo proves to be just as much a Magician as he is by conjuring up the proof to convict him. In this his third Columbo Appearance Jack Cassidy as Santini is as always ruthless and upping his game to try and outwit Columbo but it seem’s his tricks fall flat as he has his motive exposed by none other than a Typewriter. Another one of those Gotcha’s where all it took was little thing to trip up the Killer. I’m sure Santini will have plenty of time to perfect his magic in Jail maybe even his disappearing act.
Well there you have it My Top 10 episodes Columbo, He is quite an unforgettable Character with his “One More Thing” routine and Cigar Chomping but at the end of the day he never fails to catch that Killer.
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