Hercule Poirot's Christmas: 'Tis the Season for Murder

I have been reading Agatha Christie as long as I can remember. I have been thrilled with many of the BBC versions of her novels. In my opinion, one of the best adaptions was Hercule Poirot's Christmas. I recently rewatched this production and enjoyed it. I continue to marvel at David Suchet's brilliant portrayal of Hercule Poirot. I thought a blog for this Christmas themed Poirot tale would be perfect for Christmas Eve.

Hercule Poirot's Christmas is perfect viewing for a mystery fan during Yule time. The movie starts with a flashback showing how Simeon Lee made his fortune in 1896 in South Africa. Of course, Mr. Lee was a ruthless opportunist who the audience knows will eventually pay for his sins. The story moves forward to the late 1930's. It is December 21st and Simeon Lee is gathering his family together for Christmas. Lee calls Hercule Poirot and invites him to his mansion for Christmas. Poirot accepts since the central heating is out in his apartment.

The Christmas gathering at Simeon Lee's is hardly festive. It is obvious his sons have little love for their father. His son Alfred and his wife Lydia have been taking care of Simeon, not that Simeon appreciates their efforts. Simeon's son George is a member of Parliament with a young trophy wife. George loves Simeon's money and what it has done for his career. The black sheep of the family, Harry, has been summoned back home for Christmas. In addition, Simeon Lee has included his granddaughter Pilar in the Lee family gathering. Pilar is the daughter of Lee's late daughter Jennifer and her Spanish husband. The family has never met Pilar since she was raised in Spain.

Not surprisingly, Christie provides her ace detective with a robbery and murder to solve. I particularly like that it is a locked room murder. You know, the type of crime that just could not have happened -- yet did! Simeon Lee has had his throat viciously slashed. However, there is not much grief. It is obvious that the local inspector, Supt. Sudgen will need Poirot's help. In a nice plot twist, Poirot rescues Inspector Japp from his wife's family Christmas event to help investigate the murder.

Christie understood that a good basic plot with the "usual suspects" often works better than a convoluted story. The producers of the Poirot series understand the importance of set dressing and atmosphere. This film does an excellent job capturing the bleakness of the Lee mansion. We can sense the impending doom from the time Poirot enters the Lee estate. In addition, the era is captured beautifully. The costumes as well as sets reflect 1930's England. The additional dialogue about the political situations in Europe also adds authenticity. It is this attention to detail that makes BBC TV productions superior to American ones.

If you like a good mystery, consider Hercule Poirot's Christmas for your viewing pleasure. I think David Suchet's performance as Poirot is enough to make this movie worthwhile. It is a shame Agatha Christie did not live to see Suchet breath life into her most famous character. Suchet truly knows how to make us laugh with, never at Poirot. We recognize his eccentricities but ultimately admire his brilliance and desire for justice. I also think Philip Jackson's portrayal of Inspector Japp is outstanding. Japp is not dense, he simply is not as gifted as Poirot. Jackson does an excellent job showing that Japp is a man of intelligence and grit. He will get the solution, just not as quickly as Poirot does.

Merry Christmas to all!

Two Great Friday Nights at the Landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre: Part Two

After enjoying the Walton Family Reunion on December 2nd, David and I returned to Loew's Jersey Theatre on December 9th. I was especially excited because the feature was one of my favorite holiday films: March of the Wooden Soldiers starring Laurel and Hardy. I have watched this film every year at Christmas time for as long as I cam remember. The excitement for me was to finally see it on the big screen with an audience.

Loew's Jersey Theatre is a film lover's paradise. The theater was saved from demolition in 1996 after being closed for ten years. The Friends of Loew's (FOL) have been raising money and doing the restoration themselves over the years. The atmosphere created by FOL is very special. Part of any show at the Loew's is an organ recital prior to the feature film. The Wonder Morton Organ at the Loew's Jersey Theatre is actually a sister organ acquired from the Loew's Paradise in the Bronx. I can't imagine an event at this venue with the Wonder Morton. In addition, because it is run by volunteers who love classic films, the theater attracts an audience of all ages and ethnicities who share a love of classic film. It is always encouraging to see young fans at these events. In order for film preservation and appreciation to continue, it is essential that young people get the opportunity to see classic films on the big screen. I also love that so many parents and grandparents are getting the chance to share their film favorites with their children and grandchildren.

March of the Wooden Soldiers drew a good crowd. It did seem to be a lot of families which was great to see. We were treated to a Christmas themed organ recital before the movie. In addition, we had a Bob Hope Christmas Seals short and Max Fleischer's Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer cartoon before the feature began. This extra touches transport the audience back to the "Golden Age of Movies." There was a  community spirit created by the theaters back in the day. I feel blessed to experience that during a day and age when we too often forget to embrace the simple joys of life.

March of the Wooden Soldiers was hit with our audience. The operetta part of the movie did not age too well. Unfortunately, the songs don't seem to have the timeless quality of those in The Wizard of Oz  for example. However, the plot and its comedy stand up well. The audience still laughed hard at Stan and Ollie's antics. It was also fun that our audience continued the tradition of hissing at the villain. Every time Barnaby entered the scene, he was promptly hissed! Now, when is the last time you remember a current movie soliciting that same reaction?

The Evil Silas Barnaby

I love the story of March of the Wooden Soldiers. It takes place in Mother Goose Land. The Old Woman who lives in a shoe is Mother Peep(Florence Roberts). She has a number of children, her oldest being Little Bo Peep(Charlotte Henry). Bo Peep is in love with Tom Tom the Piper's son(Felix Knight). Mother Peep has two boarders, Stannie Dum(Stan Laurel) and Ollie Dee(Oliver Hardy), who help with the expenses. Unfortunately, there is a villain in Mother Goose Land, Silas Barnaby(Henry Brandon). Barnaby holds the mortgage on Mother Peep's Shoe. He wants to foreclose. However, if Bo Peep will marry him, he will tear up the mortgage. Mother Peep refuses this offer so Barnaby demands full payment. Stannie and Ollie tell Mother Peep not to worry, they'll get the money.

Bo Peep and Tom Tom

Ollie thinks Santa's toymaker will loan them the money. Stannie and Ollie work for the toymaker, and Ollie claims he and the toymaker are close friends. It's obvious when Ollie and Stannie go to work that the toymaker is not their good friend. So maybe the loan isn't in the bag after all. It gets worse. Santa stops by to see his toy soldier order. Ollie and Stannie have made 100 six foot soldiers. Unfortunately, Santa ordered 600 one foot soldiers. The toymaker is so mad he fires Ollie and Stannie. Not only do they not get the loan, but no pay either!

Ollie, Santa Claus, Stannie, the toymaker

Ollie and Stannie feel guilty that they can't give Mother Peep the mortgage money. The two decide to break into Barnaby's house and steal the mortgage agreement. The pair are caught by Barnaby and sentenced to dunking and banishment to Bogeyland. During the dunking of Ollie, the dunking chair breaks and he nearly drowns. Bo Peep tells Barnaby she will marry him if he drops the charges against Ollie and Stannie and cancels her mother's mortgage. Barnaby agrees and the wedding is set for the next day.

No one wants Bo Peep to marry Barnaby. However, Ollie agrees to give her away in a ceremony at Barnaby's house. Ollie delivers the bride and demands the mortgage upfront. Ollie then rips up the mortgage and Barnaby weds Bo Peep. However, when Barnaby lifts the veil to kiss his bride, it's Stannie! He vows revenge for being tricked! This leads to one of the funniest moments in the film. Ollie bids Stannie farewell. Ollie informs Stannie he is now married to Barnaby and has to stay at Barnaby's house. Stannie breaks out in tears and announces "But I don't LOVE him." Laurel's delivery of the line and his expression are priceless! The audience at Loew's laughed hysterically during this scene.

Barnaby and Bo Peep's(?) Wedding

Barnaby decides to frame Bo Peep's fiancee Tom Tom for "pignapping" and murder. Barnaby "pignaps" Elmer (one of the three little pigs) and hides Elmer in his house. He leaves sausage and other evidence in Tom Tom's house. Tom Tom is found guilty and banished to Bogeyland. Ollie accidentally eats some of the sausage offered as "evidence." Ollie realizes it is beef sausage and figures out that Barnaby set up Tom Tom. Stannie and Ollie rescue Elmer and reveal Barnaby's plot to all the residents of Mother Goose Land. Old King Cole orders a man hunt for Barnaby.

Barnaby and the Bogeymen

Meanwhile, Bo Peep goes to Bogeyland to tell Tom Tom he's been cleared and can come back to Mother Goose Land. Barnaby has a secret cave passage to Bogeyland and decides to go there and get an army of Bogeymen to attack Mother Goose Land. Tom Tom and Bo Peep try to get back to warn the residents of the impending attack, but the Bogeymen get there right behind them. Suddenly, Ollie and Stannie get a brilliant idea. They go the toymaker's workshop and activate the army of wooden soldiers. I have to say this sequence of stop motion and live action is amazing on the big screen. Watching the soldiers come to life and fight the evil Bogeymen on a 50 foot screen was incredible. I must also add that the Bogeyman were quite creepy. They would come in a close second to the Flying Monkeys in The Wizard of Oz in my book.

This movie shows why Hal Roach Studios had so much success in the 1930's. The dialogue and the pacing were very good. In addition, the sets depicting Mother Goose Land and Bogeyland were excellent. Roach also had solid group of actors under contract. Henry Brandon was outstanding as the evil Barnaby. Brandon later played a similar role in The Our Gang Follies of 1938 as the nasty opera manager who signed Alfalfa to an unbreakable contract.

I can't wait to see what films Loew's Jersey Theatre will be showing in January. However, they did announce Piper Laurie will be appearing there on January 28th! FOL are waiting to hear from the studios which films they will be receiving. You can bet David and I will be there!

Two Great Friday Nights at the Landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre:Part One

Program for December 2, 2011

 I have had two memorable Friday evenings at my favorite venue, the Landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre. My husband David, my friend Andrea, and I attended the 40th anniversary screening of The Homecoming on December 2nd. This is the TV movie that launched The Waltons TV series. The evening included appearances by all the Walton children plus Michael Learned and guest stars from the TV show. This past Friday night, December 9th, David and I enjoyed March of the Wooden Soldiers. These two events highlight the excellent programs I am fortunate enough to enjoy at this historic theater. This blog will be about December 2, 2011.

Paul Hamner

The Walton Family Reunion was truly amazing. The crowd was large and diverse. It's hard to believe that the TV movie that introduced audiences to the Waltons debuted in 1971. The program for this screening was awesome. It started with an introduction by Paul Hamner, brother of series creator Earl Hamner, Jr. Paul was there since Earl was unable to attend. This was followed by The Homecoming. I must admit I have not seen the film in long time. Initially, it was odd to see Patricia Neal as the matriarch Olivia Walton and Edgar Bergen as Grandpa Walton. I grew up watching Michael Learned as the mother of the Waltons clan and Will Geer as Grandpa. However, Neal was marvelous as Olivia. She brought grace, integrity, and maturity to the role. Neal was strong presence each time she appeared in a scene. Edgar Bergen's portrayal of the grandfather was quietly strong and deeply loving. This was an excellent match for Ellen Corby's spunky portrayal as Grandma Walton.

Richard Duggan, son of Andrew Duggan, was an extra in The Homecoming

For anyone unfamiliar with The Homecoming, it takes place on one Christmas Eve during the Great Depression. John Walton(Andrew Duggan) has been forced to take a job 50 miles from home but will be coming home for Christmas. In his absence, John's wife Olivia (Patricia Neal) and parents (Edgar Bergen and Ellen Corby) have been taking care of the family in Virginia. The family consists of seven children: John-Boy(Richard Thomas); Jason(Jon Walmsley); Mary Ellen(Judy Norton); Ben(Eric Scott); Erin(Mary McDonough); Jim Bob(David Harper); and Elizabeth(Kami Cotler). While the Waltons prepare for their father's homecoming, the local sheriff(David Huddleston) is trying to catch a "Robin Hood" who steals food from warehouse stores and gives it to poor families. Little do the Waltons realize that this man is John's friend Charlie Sneed(William Windom) and he has provided the Waltons with their Christmas turkey. While the children are out cutting down a Christmas tree, Olivia and John's parents hear that the bus John was taking home has crashed and one man is dead. They decide not to tell the children. However, Olivia eventually confides in John-Boy and sends him out in search of his father. Obviously, John Walton did not perish, but saving his appearance until the last ten minutes of the film made for a heartwarming moment. The Homecoming was better than I remembered it. The children were fantastic and very natural. It's easy to understand why each of them was retained to appear in the TV series. I must admit that although Andrew Duggan does a good job in his brief appearance as John Walton, I think Ralph Waite was the perfect choice to do the TV show.

Michael Learned speaks sbout Patricia Neal

After the film, there was a short tribute to Patricia Neal. Ironically, it was led by the woman who replaced her as Olivia Walton, Michael Learned. Neal and Learned appeared as mother and daughter in Mary McDonough's 2000 film short entitled For the Love of May. Learned shared that the short was filmed in her dining room and what a pleasure it was to work with Patricia Neal. She also revealed that she asked Patricia Neal why she didn't play Olivia in the TV series. Neal told Learned that she was never offered the role for the TV show. Learned was very respectful as she relayed the story. You could tell she had empathy for her predecessor.


Jon Walmsley, Judy Norton, Eric Scott, Mary McDonough


There was an intermission. It was followed by a panel discussion on stage with the stars of The Homecoming, all seven Walton children plus David Huddleston who played Sheriff Bridges. Richard Thomas is appearing currently in an Off Broadway play, so he came a bit late. In fact, I must say that I was impressed with his graciousness and energy, considering he had already worked a full night! David Huddleston was the only actor present who worked with the Walton children both in The Homecoming and in the TV show. Ironically, Huddleston mentioned that he primarily worked with Richrd Thomas on both occassions. In The Homecoming, only John-Boy has a scene with Sheriff Bridges. When Huddleston guest starred on the show in an episode entitled "The Literary Man," he played a man who claimed to be an writer and had traveled extensively. This man, A.J. Covington, becomes friends with apiring author John-Boy. Therefore, Huddleston said he and Thomas did the majority of his scenes together. It was a pleasure to listen to this wonderful character actor speak about his experiences on the set of the Waltons, Huddleston still has that great, deep voice for which he's famous.

David Harper and Kami Cotler

There were also actors who appeared on the TV series who participated in the panel discussion. Michael Learned joined her TV children on stage. In addition, Ellen Geer (daughter of Will Geer) and Radames Pera spoke about their episode entitled "The Ceremony." This is considered one of the series' best episodes as it deals with a Jewish family trying to hid their religion as they are refugees from Nazi Germany. The family feared holding a Bar Mitzvah for their 13 year old son because they had experienced persecution in their native land. Both Geer and Pera commented on Hamner's courage in taking on such subject matter.

Michael Learned, Hal Williams, Radames Pera

Also, particpating in the panel discussion were Hal Williams(Harley Foster) and Lynn Hamilton(Verdie Grant). As African Americans, both actors commented on being pleased to have played such strong characters. Both praised Earl Hamner for his willingness to ask them if their characters accurately depicted African Americans of the period. Hamilton said she took her role very seriously as she was based on woman who Hamner knew. Hamilton said that no tonly did she want to do the role justice but pay tribute to a great real life woman. Hal Williams said he is proudest of the work he did on The Waltons. He felt Hamner took great time in developing scripts with honesty, intelligence, and integrity that is rare in the business.

David Huddleston

I must admit I enjoyed the antecdotes shared by the Walton children. There was a genuine love and respect for each other that filled the stage. One great story from The Homecoming was all the children were told to be careful around Patricia Neal because she had recently recovered from a stroke. (In fact, this was her first project after her stroke.) Unfortunately, Eric Scott(Ben) said Edgar Bergen was the victim of their enthusiasm. In the scene where they are told that a missionary is giving away free toys, the children jump up from their seated positions around the radio. Grandpa Walton is in the center of the group on a chair and gets knocked over. Apparently, that was not in the script, it just happened and director Fielder Cooke left it in. luckily, Bergen did not hold a grudge. In fact. David Harper(Jim Bob) remembers Edgar Bergen getting a suitcase and taking out a dummy to entertain them on the set. Harper says little did he know as a child that he met Charlie McCarthy. Kami Cotler(Elizabeth) concurred that it was a very special memory.

All the stars on stage

Will Geer and Ellen Corby were loved by their TV grandchildren who spoke glowingly of them. Richard Thomas said Will Geer made the young actors recognize how lucky they were to be employed and working with great production team. I also discovered that Will Geer was a victim of the McCarthy era. He refused to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Geer continued to do stage work and often gave lodging to other blacklisted actors who were not as fortunate. Ellen Geer has written a book about her father which I hope to find. Ellen spoke lovingly about how her father taught her craft by doing stock with her when she was starting out. Judy Norton(Mary Ellen) spoke about Ellen Corby and how she too mentored the children. Judy remembers that Ellen was a consummate professional, always on time with her lines down perfectly. In addition, Corby was kind and took an interest in helping the young actresses on the set prepare for the day's shooting. It was obvious that Geer and Corby were genuinely loved by the actors who played their grandchildren. They are also missed by TV fans because their talent was tremendous.

Richard Thomas read "Twas the Night Before Christmas

After the panel discussion, Richard Thomas read "Twas the Night Before Christmas." He did a wonderful job. He kidded that he felt the pressure to do well since Santa Claus was on stage with him! (David Huddleston played the role in  1985's Santa Claus:The Movie) Next, Jon Walmsley(Jason) sang "Home for the Holidays" and did his own guitar accompaniment. The evening ended appropriately with Walmsley playing the guitar and Norton leading the actors in the song "Goodnight." Then, in true Walton family tradition, the cast wished each other a goodnight. It was an amazing event and all for $20! Shows like this just aren't made anymore. Some would call The Waltons corny -- so be it! Give me corny over dark angst anyday!

FYI -- Ralph Waite was not present at the event and no mention was made of his absence.