9.27.2012

ten little indians

 
the year: 1965
 
the genre: mystery
 
 
the cast: Hugh O'Brian (Hugh Lombard); Shirley Eaton (Ann Clyde); Fabian (Mike Raven); Leo Genn (General Mandrake); Stanley Holloway (William Blore); Wilfrid Hyde-White (Judge Cannon); Daliah Lavi (Ilona Bergen); Dennis Price (Dr. Armstrong); Marianne Hoppe (Frau Grohmann); Mario Adorf (Herr Grohmann)
 
 
the plot: One of Agatha Christie's best (with a few liberties taken).  A group of strangers, ten in all, are invited by a Mr. Owens to spend a weekend at his remote mountaintop home. After dinner, they learn via a tape recording that they've been invited to the house to pay for their crimes. The accusations are well-founded and, unable to leave the house, the guests are being killed off one by one. The private detective in the group thinks that their host is likely hiding in the house somewhere. Judge Arthur Cannon thinks the killer is a member of the group and he proves to be correct.
 
 
 
don't miss: all the wonderful screaming by Frau Grohmann.  Good thing she was killed off pretty quickly.  And the black and white is a fun touch, too.
 
 
listen for: "How utterly marvelous! You all came to a house party without knowing your host!"
"Well, what about you, Miss Bergen"
"Darling, it happens to me all the time!"
 
 
did you know: I felt much better when I realized that Fabian is *not* Fabio. 
 
 
extra bonus points: if you recognize the two actors from My Fair Lady. 
 
 
also listen for: "Drop dead!"  "That's not funny."
 
 
 

3 comments:

Erika said...

Do you prefer this version over the 1970s one? From the pictures, it looks like Eliza's dad and Col. Pickering were in attendance.

Aubree Legler said...

Someday I want to see a version of this done that actually holds to the ending in the book--no romance, no foiling of the old judge at the end. (Oops! Hope I didn't spoil it for anyone ;) Just 10 dead guests and a mystery no one can solve.

Scott said...

*Ahem* I suppose one ought to be more careful, when sharing a computer, to observe who is logged into what, and under whose name certain spoiler comments will appear. I'm afraid I must claim the above, lest you think Aubree is the mystery-movie purist motioning for more murder.