Daily Archives: March 3, 2018

Murder Most Foul
Directed by George Pollock
Written by David Pursall and Jack Seddon from a novel by Agatha Christie
1964/UK
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Lawrence P. Bachmann Productions
First viewing/Amazon Instant

[box] Justice Crosby: Madam, either you will need to cease knitting or I shall need to cease judging.[/box]

Margaret Rutherford is a jewel!

In this one, Miss Marple is the juror who deadlocks a murder trial for the death of a barmaid.  She thinks she knows better than the prosecution.  And of course she does! The facts take her to a theatrical company.  She gets hired as an actress and the death toll mounts.

The best part of this movie is Rutherford’s audition for the company which is a spirited rendition of Robert W. Service’s lurid poem “The Shooting of Dan McGrew”!  A very pleasant way to spend 90 minutes.

Dear Heart
Directed by Delbert Mann
Written by Tad Mosel
1964/USA
Out of Towners Productions
First viewing/FilmStruck

[box] Evie Jackson: Did you see how we just came in, Harry? Got a table right away. Isn’t life easy when there are two of you?[/box]

OK romcom about love between an ex-playboy and a wacky spinster.

The story is set at a New York City where a postmaster’s convention is being held.  Aging spinster postmistress Evie Jackson (Geraldine Page) attends these things every year.  She has been known to sow some wild oats but is looking for love at the moment.  Harry Mork (Glenn Ford) has just been promoted from traveling salesman to marketing director in the city and is staying at the hotel while he gets settled.  He has recently become engaged to Phyllis (Angela Lansbury) and looks forward to becoming domesticated.

Convention crowds and Fate keep throwing Evie and Harry together.  He tells her he is married but she doesn’t believe him.  Gradually, these opposites attract.

Having been single for the first forty years of my life,  I have problems with the characterization of spinsters in films of this era.  They are always the most pathetic creatures imaginable.  Page’s character tries way too hard.  Obviously, an actress of Page’s caliber carries it off pretty well and the story has an appealing sweetness.

Henry Mancini, Jay Livingston, and Ray Evans were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song for the title tune.