If you read the reviews, you'll see there are two distinct camps. People either love this Marple episode or hate it. There's hardly any in-between.
Forgive me but I truly enjoyed this story. Although I absolutely agree with the review entitled "A complaint to Director Mary McMurray . . ." As DriftedSnowWhite points out, there is a rather obnoxious scene where the director pummels the audience with seemingly endless repetitive cuts of Bess Sedgewick laughing. Describing that footage as "over the top" would be an understatement.
As others have pointed out, this is a deliberate period piece. What I liked was this episode never took itself entirely seriously. That was especially true when the criminal mastermind climbs off the balcony and initiates a semi-comedic chase sequence that ends in tragedy. And we're not fooled when Bess confesses to the murder as we sit around waiting for the other shoe to drop.
One thing that irritates me is these mystery writers make lying seem acceptable. In the REAL world, if you lie to a police officer THAT'S A CRIME. It's known as "obstruction of justice" and carries severe penalties. Up to seven years on a local level and considerably more if you lie to a federal law officer. AND YET, suspects are never warned or convicted in these unrealistic mystery stories. I understand the writers are relying upon those lies to keep their story going. However, at the end we need to see the accomplices being hauled off in handcuffs along with the murderer.
Perhaps it's because many years ago I worked in a swanky hotel - whatever the reason - I enjoyed how this episode portrayed upper crust hotel culture. Although, the one female desk clerk was a lot dumber than a real clerk. In the real world, guests and intruders are constantly trying to scam the desk clerks, attempting to procure unauthorized keys, mail and room numbers. You NEVER turn your back on someone standing at the desk when you're a clerk. So the bit where the daughter scammed the desk clerk was truly FAR fetched. People who land desk clerk jobs at posh hotels are tested without warning. And if they can be scammed, they're fired. Security and discretion are paramount at such establishments.
IMHO, this is one of the better Miss Marple filmed episodes. But it's NOT one of the best Marple mysteries. Most likely you'll figure out who the murderer was within two minutes after it happens. If you're willing not to take this episode too seriously, I believe you'll find it to be Enjoyable Entertainment.
Forgive me but I truly enjoyed this story. Although I absolutely agree with the review entitled "A complaint to Director Mary McMurray . . ." As DriftedSnowWhite points out, there is a rather obnoxious scene where the director pummels the audience with seemingly endless repetitive cuts of Bess Sedgewick laughing. Describing that footage as "over the top" would be an understatement.
As others have pointed out, this is a deliberate period piece. What I liked was this episode never took itself entirely seriously. That was especially true when the criminal mastermind climbs off the balcony and initiates a semi-comedic chase sequence that ends in tragedy. And we're not fooled when Bess confesses to the murder as we sit around waiting for the other shoe to drop.
One thing that irritates me is these mystery writers make lying seem acceptable. In the REAL world, if you lie to a police officer THAT'S A CRIME. It's known as "obstruction of justice" and carries severe penalties. Up to seven years on a local level and considerably more if you lie to a federal law officer. AND YET, suspects are never warned or convicted in these unrealistic mystery stories. I understand the writers are relying upon those lies to keep their story going. However, at the end we need to see the accomplices being hauled off in handcuffs along with the murderer.
Perhaps it's because many years ago I worked in a swanky hotel - whatever the reason - I enjoyed how this episode portrayed upper crust hotel culture. Although, the one female desk clerk was a lot dumber than a real clerk. In the real world, guests and intruders are constantly trying to scam the desk clerks, attempting to procure unauthorized keys, mail and room numbers. You NEVER turn your back on someone standing at the desk when you're a clerk. So the bit where the daughter scammed the desk clerk was truly FAR fetched. People who land desk clerk jobs at posh hotels are tested without warning. And if they can be scammed, they're fired. Security and discretion are paramount at such establishments.
IMHO, this is one of the better Miss Marple filmed episodes. But it's NOT one of the best Marple mysteries. Most likely you'll figure out who the murderer was within two minutes after it happens. If you're willing not to take this episode too seriously, I believe you'll find it to be Enjoyable Entertainment.