MURDER AHOY

Rutherford and real-life husband Stringer Davis

MURDER AHOY (1964). Director: George Pollock.

When one of the board members of a trust that helps to rehabilitate young offenders is blatantly poisoned, Miss Marple (Margaret Rutherford) decides to do her own investigation. With the help of her friend Mr. Stringer (Stringer Davis, married to Rutherford in real life), Miss Marple, wearing Naval uniform, goes into action, confining much of her investigation to the ship where these miscreants are trained. Captain Rhumstone (Lionel Jeffries of First Men in the Moon) isn't at all thrilled by this development, especially when he is forced to give his cabin to the snooping old lady. Other officers, staff -- and suspects -- include Dr. Crump (Nicholas Parsons); Bishop Faulkner (Miles Malleson of The Thief of Bagdad); Lt. Compton (Francis Matthews); matron Alice Fanbraid (Joan Benham); and others. When there are more deaths aboard ship, Marple knows her suspicions are correct, and she also uncovers the reasons behind the killings, but not before a fencing duel with the perpetrator. 

Charles Tingwell with Rutherford

Murder Ahoy was the last of the four Marple films which Rutherford did, and the only one that was not loosely based on a novel by Agatha Christie. Therefore this film is tailored for the attributes of Rutherford's version of the character, which wasn't that much like Christie's version. The film is suspenseful and amusing. As usual Charles Tingwell is on hand as Chief Inspector Craddock, who is exasperated not only to find that Miss Marple is on the job against his wishes, but is better at solving the crime than he is. 

Verdict: More fun with Miss Marple. ***.

THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN

Peter Cushing

THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1958). Director: Terence Fisher.

In this sequel to The Curse of Frankenstein, the dear baron Frankenstein (Peter Cushing), about to be executed for his crimes in the first film, manages to have a priest beheaded instead of himself [so he's obviously not all bad!] Using the name of "Victor Stein" -- now that's a sensible pseudonym -- he becomes a doctor in a clinic for the indigent in Germany and distinguishes himself with his complete lack of a bedside manner. A promising young doctor, Hans Kleve (Francis Matthews), assists the baron in his new-old experiments, and affects a brain transplant involving Karl (Michael Gwynn) and a patient in the clinic played by Richard Wordsworth of The Quatermass Xperiment/Creeping Unknown, with predictably unpleasant results. Lionel Jeffries almost steals the picture with his gritty portrayal of a grave robber. As nurse Margaret, Eunice Gayson is very pretty but makes little impression otherwise. Followed by The Evil of Frankenstein.

Verdict: That baron never learns! ***