At Bertram's Hotel is a BBC television film adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel starring Joan Hickson in the lead role as Miss Marple. It was directed by Mary McMurray and the screenplay was written by Jill Hyem and first aired on 25 January 1987 as the 8th episode of BBC's Miss Marple TV series. It was an adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel of the same name.
Synopsis[]
Miss Marple has a nostalgic stay at one of London's most elegant and venerable hotels where nothing seems to have changed from long ago. She soon discovers that it is "almost too good to be true".
Comparison with original novel[]
(may contain spoilers - click on expand to read)
The adaptation is fairly faithful to the original novel except for a few small changes.
- Miss Marple doesn't encounter Bess Sedgwick at the Army & Navy Stores. She actually follows Bess to Derry & Toms and eavesdrops on her and Malinowski at the Kensington Rooftop Gardens.
- There is no high level conference at Scotland Yard. Davy is already conducting surveillance on the hotel at the beginning of the show.
- Elvira does not need to stage a jewel theft a Bollard's to raise the money to travel to Ireland. This entire side plot is eliminated. She merely asks Derek Luscombe for an advance on her allowance because she says she plans to go shopping with Bridget.
- Canon Pennyfather is shown with Whittaker at the Athenaeum and then at an Indian restaurant which is dramatised in detail but he does not go to the cinema.
- Malinowski drives a red Jaguar and not a white Mercedes Otto. The number is still FAN2266.
- In the original Elvira Blake is not yet arrested at the end. Bess is killed in a car accident while escaping. The book ends with Davy determined not to let Elvira get away with it. In this adaptation, Elvira is arrested and taken away. Miss Marple finds a diary belonging to Elvira which (presumably) had some damning evidence in it. The show ends with the police going through the hotel which presumably will be closed down shortly.
Cast[]
- Joan Hickson as Miss Marple
- Caroline Blakiston as Bess Sedgwick
- Helena Michell as Elvira Blake
- James Cossins as Colonel Luscombe
- Joan Greenwood as Selina Hazy
- George Baker as Chief Inspector Fred Davy
- Preston Lockwood as Canon Pennyfather
- Irene Sutcliffe as Miss Gorringe
- Brian McGrath as Michael Gorman
- Neville Phillips as Henry
- Robert Reynolds as Ladislaus Malinowski
- Peter Baldwin as Mr Humfries
- Douglas Milvain as Sir Ronald Graves
- Philip Bretherton as Det. Inspector Campbell
- Edward Burnham as Dr Whittaker
- Rashid Karapiet as Indian Waiter
- Amanda Royle as B.E.A. Stewardess
- Randal Herley as Richard Egerton
- Henrietta Voigts as Alice
- Charlotte Barker as Bridget Sotheby
- Kate Duchêne as Rose
- Helen Horton as Mrs Cabot
- Daphne Neville as Woman at Airport
- Donald Burton as TV Commentator (voice)
- Uncredited actress as Monica Sotheby
Tropes and Themes[]
Filming Locations[]
- Elmdon Building (Old Birmingham Airport terminal) - interiors of London Airport terminal, Bess Sedgwick's arrival. She is also seen driving off the front entrance. Spiral staircase is behind her car. Later Derek Luscombe is there to receive Elvira.
- Severn Valley Railway - Miss Marple's journey to London
- Marylebone Station - Miss Marple's arrival.
- Stuart Tower, London W9 - Miss Marple's taxi appears to be heading northwest on Randolph Ave. She looks at Regent's Court, then is astonished to see the Stuart Tower.
- 20 Essex Street, WC2R 3AL - Bertram's Hotel front entrance
- Nearby, Essex Street Water Gate and Steps - after Mickey Gorman's murder, a constable runs up having found a gun
- University Women's Club, 2 Audley Square, W1K 1DB - Bertram's Hotel interiors.
- Kensington Roof Gardens - on the roof of the Derry & Toms building. Bess and Malinowski's meeting.
- Middle Temple - Elvira calls on Richard Egerton
- Battersea Park, Pear Tree Cafe - Miss Marple encounters Elvira and Malinowski
Unidentified locations[]
- Bridget Sotherby's house
- Terminal where Canon Pennyfather checks in for his flight to Lucerne-not same flooring as the old Birminghm terminal. Could be a set
- Star of India restaurant - street scene as the Canon approaches, and also the interior
- Malinowski's shooting range
- Road to Chadminster
- Canon Pennyfather's house (interior)
- Inspector Davy's office and corridor outside
Trivia[]
- The interior used as the lobby of Bertram's Hotel, is the same interior used as The Elizabeth Club for Ladies in the 1987 adaptation of 4.50 from Paddington.