Hickory Dickory Dock is the second episode of series six of Agatha Christie's Poirot. It was broadcast on 12 February 1995. The feature-length episode was directed by Andrew Grieve and the screenplay was written by Anthony Horowitz. It is an adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel of the same name.
Synopsis[]
An outbreak of apparent kleptomania at a student hostel is not normally the sort of crime that arouses Hercule Poirot's interest. However, Miss Lemon persuades him to investigate, as the hostel is run by her sister – and the Detective soon finds it to be a 'unique and beautiful' problem.
Comparison with Original Novel[]
Spoiler warning: A spoiler is announced! The following section contains details about the plot of Hickory Dickory Dock and its adaptation.
(may contain spoilers - click on expand to read)
In common with the rest of the series, the setting is moved back in time from the post-World War II period of Christie's original novel to the 1920s and 1930s.
This adaptation also differed from Christie's original in that Sharpe is replaced with the recurring character of Inspector Japp. The number of residents at the hostel have also been significantly reduced to simplify the ploy. Hence Elizabeth Johnston, Akimbombo and Chandra Lal among others have been removed.
A considerable effort has also been made to inject suspense and period authenticity/interest into the story been means of some side plots:
- There is an entire sideplot involving a sinister-looking man who maintains surveillance on Hickory Road and who works at the rucksack shop at Hickory Road. Sally Finch is seen sneaking suspiciously out of the hostel by the fire escape. Later she has a secret meeting with this man. Sally tells him she is getting frightened and he promises he will "deal with" Poirot. All this is intended to throw a lot of suspicion on Sally. Only much later do the viewers learn that he is in fact a senior officer in HM Customs and Excise invesitgating a smuggling racket and Sally Finch is actually one of his secret agents.
- This adaptation can cause a number of inaccuracies - in the case of Hickory Dickory Dock, the most significant of these concerns a subplot featuring the Jarrow March and MP Sir Arthur Stanley, who is seen to be dying in hospital as the march reaches London. In real life, the Jarrow March took place in 1936 but Stanley did not die until 1947. In the book, "Sir Arthur Stanley" is described as a biochemist, and his death clearly takes place in the 1950s - obviously a completely fictional character.
Specific plot variations:
- The bet about being able to get hold of poison and the subsequent theft of the morphine is done by Colin McNabb and not by Nigel Chapman. So it was Colin who stole the stethoscope. A bottle of morphine is found in Colin's room by Japp and Colin is arrested.
- The splattering of the green ink, intended to serve as misdirection, has been omitted.
- Mrs Nicoletis is the mastermind behind the smuggling ring which in this case involves only diamonds, not drugs as well. In the original Poirot believe she was only the visible front. She also owned the rucksack shop at Hickory Road. She is killed by stabbing and not by poisoning.
- Sabrina Fair is not used as a base for the smuggling racket in this adaptation. Mrs Nicoletis has a cousin Giorgios who buys the smuggled diamonds. Unique to this adaptation, Valerie gave herself away because of her unique style of stitchwork used on the rucksacks.
- The entire plot element of the smugglers having forged passports is not mentioned at all. Patricia Lane is killed not because she knew about Nigel Chapman's two passports but because she had seen an old family photo which revealed the secret of Nigel Chapman's past.
- Celia Austin was not killed because she knew about forged passports, or even because she might know about Nigel's secret past. Here it is simply because she had seen who had cut up the rucksack.
- There is no mention of the relationship between Valerie and Mrs Nicholetis.
Spoilers end here.
Cast[]
- David Suchet as Hercule Poirot
- Philip Jackson as Chief Inspector Japp
- Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon
- Paris Jefferson as Sally Finch
- Jonathan Firth as Nigel Chapman
- Damian Lewis as Leonard Bateson
- Gilbert Martin as Colin McNabb
- Elinor Morriston as Valerie Hobhouse
- Polly Kemp as Patricia Lane
- Jessica Lloyd as Celia Austin
- Sarah Badel as Florence Hubbard
- Rachel Bell as Mrs Nicoletis
- Granville Saxton as John Casterman
- David Burke as Sir Arthur Stanley
- Bernard Lloyd as Mr Endicott
- Terry Duggan as Butcher
- Mark Denny as Jarrow Marcher
- Tony Kirwood as Passport Officer
- Peter Glancy as Customs Officer
- Andy Linden as Giorgios Nicoletis
- Mark Webb as Journalist
- Anthony Houghton as journalist
- Terry Francis as Journalist
- Alec Linstead as Pharmacist
- Brian McDermott as Chief Inspector
- Michael McKone as Manager (probably the one at J. Whittall, the rucksack shop)
- John Webb as Vicar
Tropes and themes[]
Filming Locations[]
- Marchesi London Store, 117 Mount St, London - as Allen Butchers
- Dover Breakwater West End Light Lighthouse & Port, Dover
- Carter Lane, London EC4 - Hickory Road
- YHA London St Pauls Hostel, 36 Carter Lane - Hickory Road hostel.
- Building at corner of Carter Lane and Dean's St - entrance of a goods unloading area dressed up as Hickory Road tube station.
- Shop at corner of Carter Lane and Addle Street (today a restaurant) - J. Whittall, the rucksack shop.
- Corner of Carter Lane and Wardrobe Place - secret meeting between Casterman and Sally.
- University College London Main Campus, Gower Street, London
- Cruciform Building (formerly the UC Hospital main building) - Sir Arthur Stanley is taken into this building on arrival. The Wilkins Building can be seen in the background.
- Wilkins Building - Japp and Poirot walk out here after interviewing Colin McNabb.
- UCL Main library, Flaxman Gallery and Donaldson Reading Room - Poirot, Japp and Miss Lemon interview Sally.
- Chandos House, 2 Queen Anne St, W1G 9LQ - Poirot, Japp and Miss Lemon exit this house after interviewing Valerie. Her dress design school is probably within.
- High Trees, 1 Shire Lane, Gerrards Cross, Chalfont St Peter - Sir Arthur Stanley's house.
- Charterhouse Square, London
- Florin Court - Whitehaven Mansions
- Charterhouse Square park - Poirot walks through this and is then "kidnapped" by Casterman.
- Entrance to the Queen Elizabeth II Infirmary Within Suttons Hospital, Charterhouse Square - Casterman's car drives through this portal after Casterman "kidnaps" Poirot.
- Brushfield Street, London - Olympus Jewellers is at No. 42. Customs and excise vehicles move in for raid.
- Morden tube station - chase scene
- Brompton Cemetery, Fulham Road, London - funeral
- 12 Queens Road, Moden, SM4 5DF - Japp's house