"The Affair of the Pink Pearl" was a film in the Partners in Crime TV series about Agatha Christie's sleuths, Tommy and Tuppence. In the first feature film, "The Secret Adversary," she was Tuppence Cowley, but she and Tommy have wed so now they are the Beresford's. In this film, Tommy has just taken over The International Detective Agency that was on the brink of closing, due to the proprietor being a "guest of the government." Some clients or dealings he must have had! Scotland Yard approved of Tommy's takeover and when Inspector Marriott visits to deliver his "private eye" license, Tuppence is excited and thrilled. But Marriott tells him the name and proprietor can't be changed right away. The Yard's interest is partly in finding out WHO some of Theodore Blunt's shady clients were, and what they were up to.
As one can tell by now, with their previous discussions and butler Albert's funny imitations of a gangster, this is going be a mystery comedy, or a comedy mystery of sorts. Indeed, looking for a missing pearl isn't much of a plot, with very little intrigue. Certainly not of the type that would have Hercule Poirot exercising his little gray cells, or Miss Marple sleuthing shrewdly.
I have read several Christie books, but not any of the stories with this couple. So, I don't know how much the film is true to the novel, especially the characters. Did Christie write such a light, fun story - sort of as a breather from her very involved and complex mysteries of her great sleuths? In that first film, "Adversary," Tommy and Tuppence were in a typical complex Christie story. The humor was light, with most focus on the mystery. This film is quite different. The story is more about their relationship with considerable comedy, than in the mystery. It's somewhat fun and entertaining, but this story falls way short of the more compelling Christie mysteries.
Again, considering that this novel was written at the start of her career (1922), one can't help but wonder if Christie's couple, Tommy and Tuppence, didn't inspire some other mystery writers. One in America, in particular, was Dashiell Hammett. Mystery fans will surely be familiar with the Nick and Nora Charles film mysteries that were made after Hammett's 1934 novel "The Thin Man." William Powell and Myrna Loy especially made Nick and Nora so well known to movie audiences. That was in the mid-1930s to mid-1940s, and then on late night TV runs in the 1950s and beyond.
Christie followed her 1922 novel with a few more books of her couple, many years apart, into the late 1960s. I've only seen two of the movies about Tommy and Tuppence. "Adversary" was a complex and intriguing story. This one is a simple plot. It's a far cry from the great mystery plots that had Hercule Poirot exercising his little gray cells or Miss Marple sleuthing shrewdly. The result here is a light comedy that overshadows the mystery, crime and justice. Where Powell and Loy were great in their films, they had a good mix of light comedy, but with complicated mysteries to be solved. And the crimes and intrigue were serious with just touches of occasional humor, that didn't make light of the mystery.
Still, most people should find this film entertaining. But serious mystery aficionados may not think too highly of it. I enjoy great mystery myself, but my liking for this film was mostly for the relationship of the two leads and the comedy that includes their butler Albert. Here are a few favorite lines from this film.
Tuppence, "I wish something would happen." Tommy, "This craving for vulgar sensation alarms me."
Tommy, "Hmmm... shall I neglect you a little? Take other women out -- that sort of thing?"
Tuppence, "You're not starting the crossword, are you? We were having a conversation." Tommy, "Mm hmm." Tuppence, "Oh,, where has your spirit of adventure gone?"
Tuppence, 'You're getting fat. And comfortable." Tommy, "I am not." Tuppence, "Sweet, and prosperous, and comfortable."
Tommy, "What on earth is that?" Tuppence, "Do you like it? It's my disguise tree." Tommy, "Your what?"
Tuppence, "I'd say we will find a house full of snobs."
Tuppence, "If you don't mind, I think I'll skip being your secretary and become your assistant."
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