The Theft of the Royal Ruby (Agatha Christie's Poirot episode)

The Theft of the Royal Ruby is the ninth episode of series 3 of the ITV British television drama series Agatha Christie's Poirot featuring David Suchet as Hercule Poirot, first broadcast on 24 February 1991 in the UK. The episode is an adaptation of the Agatha Christie short story The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding and was directed by Andrew Grieve with dramatisation by Anthony Horowitz and Clive Exton.

Synopsis
During Christmas holidays, Poirot gets a visit from the Egyptian prince whose royal ruby has been stolen by a prostitute. The investigation takes Poirot to the English countryside, where he gets to experience the true English Christmas.

The TV adaptation is fairly faithful to original short story with some changes to characters. This episode involves Poirot alone. Hastings, Miss Lemon and Japp do not appear.

Comparison with Original Story
(may contain spoilers - click on expand to read)

Cast

 * David Suchet as Hercule Poirot
 * Frederick Treves as Colonel Lacey
 * Stephanie Cole as Mrs Lacey
 * David Howey as Jesmond
 * Antony Zaki as Prince Farouk (as Tariq Alibai)
 * Helena Michell as Sarah Lacey
 * John Vernon as David Welwyn
 * Nigel Le Vaillant as Desmond Lee-Wortley
 * Robyn Moore as Gloria
 * John Dunbar as Peverill
 * Alessia Gwyther as Bridget
 * Jonathan R. Scott as Colin (as Jonathan S. Bancroft)
 * Edward Holmes as Michael
 * Siobhan Garahy as Annie Bates
 * Susan Field as Mrs Ross
 * Gordon Reid as Chocolate Shop Owner (see Dupres)
 * Christopher Leaver as Parsloe
 * Peter Aldwyn as Durbridge
 * Iain Rattray as Head Waiter
 * James Taylor as Waiter

Tropes and themes

 * Art Deco 1930s - Joldwynds, Surrey as King's Lacey . Strictly speaking Joldwynds is an example of Moderne rather than Art Deco architecture.
 * The Chase - Poirot pursues Lee-Wortley to the airfield.

Filming Locations

 * St Martin's Court, London - Dupres' chocolate shop. As Poirot exits the chocolate shop, he meets Jesmond's men just outside what is today the Salisbury Pub.
 * Admiralty Arch
 * Foreign and Commonwealth office
 * Adelphi Building, John Adams Street - facade of hotel where Farouk stays.
 * The Royal Arcade - David Welwyn's shop
 * Joldwynds, Holmbury St Mary, Surrey - Kings Lacey
 * St Mary's Church, Hurley - Christmas church service
 * Ye Old Bell Inn, Hurley - Farouk stayed here while Poirot was at Kings Lacey
 * Crossways Farm, Abinger, Surrey - Welwyn and Poirot drive through a barn to bypass a steam engine which is blocking the road
 * Unknown location - Elstree Aerodrome. May not be the actual Elstree Aerodrome.

Vehicles and props

 * Stampe-Vertongen SV.4 - Lee-Whortley's aircraft. The registration G-AAVX is fictional.
 * Fowler General Purpose Steam Engine 7459, "Endurance" registrati on BW4506 - blocks the road when Welwyn and Poirot are rushing to catch up with Lee-Whortley.
 * 1936 Austin Ten Sherborne - Welwyn's car