From the opening art deco-like credits and opening music, I knew I was going to like this series - and I still do after 20 years, but especially the early shows. The original producers made some really good decisions: 1) casting David Suchet as Poirot, 2) having all the shows set in the 1930s and 3) having the shows include Hastings, Miss Lemon and/or Japp. The shows with them are much more entertaining and engaging than the later feature length shows without them. This show has the usual high production values although the plot line is a bit unnecessarily convoluted. My favorite scenes were those with Poirot and the young, naive and not terrible bright housemaid. Poirot was kind to her and did not appear to be looking down her - he displayed no signs of snobbishness. The second thing that struck me was how sad a situation the missing cook was in. After a lifetime of toil, her ship finally comes in (she thinks) and she inherits a very small and modest house in the country. She is so happy and proud of her little, rather shabby house. And, of course, it's not really hers and her dream world will soon come to an end. Poirot knows this and shows a bit of sadness about it - he's not yet a complete cynic.
21 Reviews
David Suchet starts his long run as Poirot
blanche-211 December 2013
I have to say, to me, David Suchet is most faithful to the Agatha Christie Poirot in the books. He is fastidious, vain, brilliant, and somewhat superior, and altogether perfect. Peter Ustinov was fantastic. He, like Margaret Rutherford, created his own character and was marvelous, bringing much more humor to the role.
This is the first in the series, The Adventures of the Clapham Cook, made in 1989. Poirot is consulted about a woman's missing cook, Eliza Dunn. She went to the market one day and never came back. This isn't Hercule's kind of case. It's not lofty enough, but there's something about it....he takes it.
A strange tale of inheritance follows, and Poirot soon finds himself dealing with a bank employee, which takes him far afield of what started out as a simple missing persons case.
This whole series is excellent and was and at times still is a mainstay of public television. This particular story is excellent, and we get to meet the cast of characters -- Poirot, Hastings, Miss Lemon,and Inspector Japp (Hugh Fraser, Pauline Moran, and Philip Jackson) all of whom are marvelous and just right for the period in which the story takes place. And who wouldn't want to live in that fabulous art deco building?
The first time I heard David Suchet's real speaking voice I was shocked. His Poirot accent is so brilliant. I had the privilege of seeing him on Broadway in Amadeus. What an actor.
Truly excellent series.
This is the first in the series, The Adventures of the Clapham Cook, made in 1989. Poirot is consulted about a woman's missing cook, Eliza Dunn. She went to the market one day and never came back. This isn't Hercule's kind of case. It's not lofty enough, but there's something about it....he takes it.
A strange tale of inheritance follows, and Poirot soon finds himself dealing with a bank employee, which takes him far afield of what started out as a simple missing persons case.
This whole series is excellent and was and at times still is a mainstay of public television. This particular story is excellent, and we get to meet the cast of characters -- Poirot, Hastings, Miss Lemon,and Inspector Japp (Hugh Fraser, Pauline Moran, and Philip Jackson) all of whom are marvelous and just right for the period in which the story takes place. And who wouldn't want to live in that fabulous art deco building?
The first time I heard David Suchet's real speaking voice I was shocked. His Poirot accent is so brilliant. I had the privilege of seeing him on Broadway in Amadeus. What an actor.
Truly excellent series.
A charming beginning to a great series
kaberi-893-6423161 September 2015
So I just finished spending a year reading all the Poirot novels and stories and watching all the Suchet Poirot episodes. In preparation for the Emmys, where Suchet is nominated for his work in Curtain, I'm watching all the episodes one last time and writing a review for each one.
This was a charming light hearted opener for the series. I like how they highlighted the way that Poirot was able to get information by appealing to the psychology of whoever he was talking to (often through flattery), whether it was lady of the house, the cook, or the porter at the train station. By far my favorite part was his interaction with the maid. I wonder if, having filmed the first interview with the maid and seeing how well it went, they decided to film the second scene with her as well, which was a deviation from the original short story.
I also enjoyed the references to Poirot's snobbery, especially the graceful apology he made to Mrs. Todd after almost refusing to help her. I think that was the best line from the original story that they borrowed.
This was a charming light hearted opener for the series. I like how they highlighted the way that Poirot was able to get information by appealing to the psychology of whoever he was talking to (often through flattery), whether it was lady of the house, the cook, or the porter at the train station. By far my favorite part was his interaction with the maid. I wonder if, having filmed the first interview with the maid and seeing how well it went, they decided to film the second scene with her as well, which was a deviation from the original short story.
I also enjoyed the references to Poirot's snobbery, especially the graceful apology he made to Mrs. Todd after almost refusing to help her. I think that was the best line from the original story that they borrowed.
Perfect on-screen short story
nastja9728 August 2012
A very nice little movie, quite faithful to the book.
Mrs. Todd, though, is a bit vulgar-looking, she wears too much makeup and too bright clothes - it's not like the strict plain housewife I imagined when I read the story. But this portrayal of her doesn't spoil the overall impression.
The mystery here is as twisted as in Christie's larger works. I liked it that the director didn't try to prolong it by adding a whole set of new characters and details. Almost everything is just as it was in the story.
I highly recommend the movie to everyone who likes the true Agatha Christie stories, her ideas and her characters, preserved on screen. Watching The Adventure of the Clapham Cook is literally like seeing that mysterious but also quite funny short story coming alive.
Mrs. Todd, though, is a bit vulgar-looking, she wears too much makeup and too bright clothes - it's not like the strict plain housewife I imagined when I read the story. But this portrayal of her doesn't spoil the overall impression.
The mystery here is as twisted as in Christie's larger works. I liked it that the director didn't try to prolong it by adding a whole set of new characters and details. Almost everything is just as it was in the story.
I highly recommend the movie to everyone who likes the true Agatha Christie stories, her ideas and her characters, preserved on screen. Watching The Adventure of the Clapham Cook is literally like seeing that mysterious but also quite funny short story coming alive.
More engaging and entangled then would first appear.
Sleepin_Dragon26 October 2015
A lady visits Poirot seeking his help in finding her missing cook. Not used to such trivialities Poirot is initially unsympathetic, wishing only for cases of National importance. Poirot eventually sympathises and takes the case on, he soon discovers that bigger things are at stake then just a missing cook.
Way back to 1989 to where it all started, it is an utterly charming episode, I love how it switches from humorous to serious, it's truly well realised. On the surface it seems like a simple little mystery, but underneath it's very interesting.
Quite incredible how quickly Suchet got into the role of Poirot, I wonder how much work and research was put into the part. You'd be forgiven for not knowing this was his first outing, his performance is that good. Hugh Fraser and Pauline Moran also seem as if they've been in their roles for years.
The supporting cast are excellent, Brigit Forsyth is a lot of fun as Mrs Todd, I loved how she put him down in the initial meeting. Freda Dowie has been a delightful actress, she was great in this, soft and sympathetic. Soon after this she would give an exceptional performance in Oranges are not the only fruit. Dermot Crowley is excellent too, such an understated performance.
A great short story that showcased the lack of constraints on Agatha Christie's imagination. Everyone getting used to their parts, a very good, solid start, brilliance lay ahead.
8/10
Way back to 1989 to where it all started, it is an utterly charming episode, I love how it switches from humorous to serious, it's truly well realised. On the surface it seems like a simple little mystery, but underneath it's very interesting.
Quite incredible how quickly Suchet got into the role of Poirot, I wonder how much work and research was put into the part. You'd be forgiven for not knowing this was his first outing, his performance is that good. Hugh Fraser and Pauline Moran also seem as if they've been in their roles for years.
The supporting cast are excellent, Brigit Forsyth is a lot of fun as Mrs Todd, I loved how she put him down in the initial meeting. Freda Dowie has been a delightful actress, she was great in this, soft and sympathetic. Soon after this she would give an exceptional performance in Oranges are not the only fruit. Dermot Crowley is excellent too, such an understated performance.
A great short story that showcased the lack of constraints on Agatha Christie's imagination. Everyone getting used to their parts, a very good, solid start, brilliance lay ahead.
8/10
"No no no, I am not some French gent, I am some Belgian gent."
bensonmum230 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Poirot agrees to take the case of a missing cook - a case he feels beneath him. But Poirot soon realizes there's more going on than he initially suspected. The case of the missing cook soon turns into a case of murder.
I suppose that The Adventure of the Clapham Cook is as good a place as any to begin the long running Poirot series. There's a lot here to enjoy. Somehow, Suchet nails Poirot and his many mannerisms and eccentricities from the start. Suchet is simply brilliant. In this episode, I especially enjoyed some of he little moments like Poirot's interaction with the housemaid, Annie. Instead of looking down on her, with a nod and a word, he makes her feel more important than she has in her entire life. The first episode does a decent job of introducing the other major characters - Hastings, Lemon, and Japp. While the characters are all fleshed-out more fully in later episodes, it's nice that they're here from the start. Poirot's scenes with Hastings, in particular, are excellent. One small example - the scene on the train when Hastings starts to put together the clues plays out exactly the way Christie wrote these moments in her books. You can almost see a light bulb being turned on over Hastings' head. Very well done. I also think these early episodes did a better job of paying attention to period detail than later episodes. This is especially true of the number of exterior shots.
However, while I've been a fan of Agatha Christie's books as long as I can remember, I run hot and cold on her short stories. The Adventure of the Clapham Cook has a number of weaknesses. First, the mystery is too easy to figure out. There aren't enough red herrings to make things really fun. It's all fairly straightforward. Second, the disguise used by the murderer (complete with fake beard) doesn't translate well to the screen. It's too easy to see through.
Still, it's a good episode that I rate a 7/10.
I suppose that The Adventure of the Clapham Cook is as good a place as any to begin the long running Poirot series. There's a lot here to enjoy. Somehow, Suchet nails Poirot and his many mannerisms and eccentricities from the start. Suchet is simply brilliant. In this episode, I especially enjoyed some of he little moments like Poirot's interaction with the housemaid, Annie. Instead of looking down on her, with a nod and a word, he makes her feel more important than she has in her entire life. The first episode does a decent job of introducing the other major characters - Hastings, Lemon, and Japp. While the characters are all fleshed-out more fully in later episodes, it's nice that they're here from the start. Poirot's scenes with Hastings, in particular, are excellent. One small example - the scene on the train when Hastings starts to put together the clues plays out exactly the way Christie wrote these moments in her books. You can almost see a light bulb being turned on over Hastings' head. Very well done. I also think these early episodes did a better job of paying attention to period detail than later episodes. This is especially true of the number of exterior shots.
However, while I've been a fan of Agatha Christie's books as long as I can remember, I run hot and cold on her short stories. The Adventure of the Clapham Cook has a number of weaknesses. First, the mystery is too easy to figure out. There aren't enough red herrings to make things really fun. It's all fairly straightforward. Second, the disguise used by the murderer (complete with fake beard) doesn't translate well to the screen. It's too easy to see through.
Still, it's a good episode that I rate a 7/10.
The one that started it all...
TheLittleSongbird6 May 2012
I have always been an Agatha Christie and Poirot fan, and this was an interesting starting point to one of my favourites of all time on television. Better was still to come, with everybody finding their feet, but this is a most promising start, though while still clever the story isn't the most plausible of Poirot mysteries. Also Mrs Todd's clothing is not entirely accurate in comparison to the rest. However, as to expect from this series, it is a classy and elegant looking adaptation, with the music haunting and beautiful and the writing intelligent. David Suchet would give better performances later on in this same role in other episodes, but he still disappears behind the character and is always never less than convincing, often outstanding. The same can be said for Hugh Fraser, Phillip Jackson and Pauline Moran too and Brigit Forsyth and Dermot Crowley are solid in their support roles of Mrs Todd and Simpson. All in all, a promising start that opened the door to even better episodes to the series. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Good start for a great series
gridoon20241 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Hercule Poirot is looking for a matter of "national importance" to investigate, but he settles for the disappearance of a female cook because the case intrigues him, in the very first episode of the "Poirot" series (which, when all is said and done, will have lasted 25 years!). Sometimes a TV series needs a little time to "find its footing", but "Poirot" did not: mostly everything that fans of the series love about it (mystery, humor, casting, music, vintage props, clothes, hats, cars, etc.) is already here from the first episode. The producers have spared no expenses (or at least it looks that way) in their efforts to fully transport you to mid-1930s England. And David Suchet needs no time to settle into the role of Poirot, either; he inhabits it right from his first few seconds on screen. The story, however, is not among the most challenging in the series, with one key disguise in particular very easy to see through. Still, this is a good introduction into the world of Hercule Poirot. *** out of 4.
I've seen this first episode of couple of times........
saintmike80115 September 2018
.....and had forgotten how simple it is, compared to the later episodes when most of them were a couple of hours long. I liked this story, even it is a little preposterous (although I guess most of Poirot's stories are sort of preposterous).
It's nice to see the regulars so young looking and I'd totally forgotten how cute a young Miss Lemon was, and how she was totally efficient from the first episode.
And since I've watched all of the Midsomer Murders etc, it's fun to see how many actors appear in one and then another.
It's nice to see the regulars so young looking and I'd totally forgotten how cute a young Miss Lemon was, and how she was totally efficient from the first episode.
And since I've watched all of the Midsomer Murders etc, it's fun to see how many actors appear in one and then another.
The start of a classic series.
Sulla-25 January 2019
A nice little mystery to start with and it has been very well covered by others. David Suichet is indeed the definitive Poirot and will never be bettered.
But I want to concentrate on the other main characters
Hugh Fraser is an excellent Captain Hastings. He's not the sharpest knife in the box but he is totally loyal. He is also extemely likeable.
Miss Lemon is also wonderful. Totally efficent and also easy on the eye even though Hastings never seems to notice this
Detective Chief Inspector Japp is an old fashioned policeman. He's a bit of a slogger but he is canny enough to listen to Poirot and allow him to solve the crime for him
But I want to concentrate on the other main characters
Hugh Fraser is an excellent Captain Hastings. He's not the sharpest knife in the box but he is totally loyal. He is also extemely likeable.
Miss Lemon is also wonderful. Totally efficent and also easy on the eye even though Hastings never seems to notice this
Detective Chief Inspector Japp is an old fashioned policeman. He's a bit of a slogger but he is canny enough to listen to Poirot and allow him to solve the crime for him
The Adventure of the Clapham Cook
Prismark105 June 2017
Art Deco must have been the keyword when this series was developed. From the opening titles, to the location buildings used to the way the sets were dressed, this 1930s set series has a modernist sheen to it. Even some of the shots used have a German Expressionism feel to it.
By the late 1980s London Weekend Television became better known for light entertainment shows or shows featuring celebrities. No doubt envious of prestige Granada Productions such as Sherlock Holmes this was a concerted effort to increase their drama output.
In this opening episode Poirot decides to take on a mundane case of a missing cook in Clapham. She went to the market one day and never came back. Poirot's investigation takes him to the Lake District where he finds a woman who has suddenly come to an inheritance to a missing bank employee and the theft of some bonds.
Assisted by his friend Hastings who is certainly not as bright as Poirot, in fact I think even the audience are ahead of him. Inspector Japp is there to provide police support.
David Suchet is comfortably at ease playing Poirot, not as snobbish as I expected him to be, you see him at ease talking to domestic servants and not talking down to them. Suchet and Hugh Fraser definitely bring out the comedy in the script but the mystery itself was not very strong.
It does not help that every time the bad guy came on screen, it is accompanied by sinister music and his disguise was a bit of a giveaway. I doubt your little grey cells need to be too troubled in this first episode.
By the late 1980s London Weekend Television became better known for light entertainment shows or shows featuring celebrities. No doubt envious of prestige Granada Productions such as Sherlock Holmes this was a concerted effort to increase their drama output.
In this opening episode Poirot decides to take on a mundane case of a missing cook in Clapham. She went to the market one day and never came back. Poirot's investigation takes him to the Lake District where he finds a woman who has suddenly come to an inheritance to a missing bank employee and the theft of some bonds.
Assisted by his friend Hastings who is certainly not as bright as Poirot, in fact I think even the audience are ahead of him. Inspector Japp is there to provide police support.
David Suchet is comfortably at ease playing Poirot, not as snobbish as I expected him to be, you see him at ease talking to domestic servants and not talking down to them. Suchet and Hugh Fraser definitely bring out the comedy in the script but the mystery itself was not very strong.
It does not help that every time the bad guy came on screen, it is accompanied by sinister music and his disguise was a bit of a giveaway. I doubt your little grey cells need to be too troubled in this first episode.
A good start to the series
pawebster24 September 2007
It is interesting to see this, the very first episode, of the Poirot series. All the regular characters are introduced, but they are still finding their way, which is understandable. This applies especially to Suchet, who, particularly at the beginning of the episode, is not quite the Poirot of later stories. Japp is grimmer and gruffer than he otherwise will be.
The period settings are very good, but one of the costumes -- that of Mrs Todd -- is like something from amateur dramatics and doesn't quite match the rest.
The story is an interesting, if preposterous, one and is well presented.
The period settings are very good, but one of the costumes -- that of Mrs Todd -- is like something from amateur dramatics and doesn't quite match the rest.
The story is an interesting, if preposterous, one and is well presented.
The Show that Started Suchet's Poirot Ball Rolling
aramis-112-8048805 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This episode established David Suchet as a Poirot to be reckoned with.
The mystery itself is not much of a mystery. A cook has disappeared and the frantic family enlists Poirot's help to recover her as good cooks are hard to find.
Poirot is beside himself. The great Poirot, called upon to find a cook. Suchet's rages as Poirot were always comic, so they did not put viewers off the character.
What established Suchet best (besides the smile he flashes in the opening credits) was the manner he uses with the other domestics, putting them at their ease and giving them a grin. Suchet's Poirot is a seducer.
Other Poirots have had their adherents and detractors. In "Murder on the Orient Express" Albert Finney went to great lengths to be the best screen Poirot ever. Peter Ustinov has his fans, despite his ungainly appearance and his teetering Poirot on the verge of being a completely comic character.
Suchet is the first Poirot to try to find the character's humanity (whether Christie gave him much or not). And his shows get off to a good start, just like Jeremy Brett's "Sherlock Holmes." They did not stint on production values. As far as they shot into the depth of the scene they dressed it in period 1930s mode. At the outset of the series, the shows look scrumptious.
Perhaps they wanted a mystery that wasn't much of a mystery to acquaint viewers with the Poirot character, I don't know. I do know David Suchet, despite playing a balding Poirot, steps into the role and makes it enjoyable from the start.
The mystery itself is not much of a mystery. A cook has disappeared and the frantic family enlists Poirot's help to recover her as good cooks are hard to find.
Poirot is beside himself. The great Poirot, called upon to find a cook. Suchet's rages as Poirot were always comic, so they did not put viewers off the character.
What established Suchet best (besides the smile he flashes in the opening credits) was the manner he uses with the other domestics, putting them at their ease and giving them a grin. Suchet's Poirot is a seducer.
Other Poirots have had their adherents and detractors. In "Murder on the Orient Express" Albert Finney went to great lengths to be the best screen Poirot ever. Peter Ustinov has his fans, despite his ungainly appearance and his teetering Poirot on the verge of being a completely comic character.
Suchet is the first Poirot to try to find the character's humanity (whether Christie gave him much or not). And his shows get off to a good start, just like Jeremy Brett's "Sherlock Holmes." They did not stint on production values. As far as they shot into the depth of the scene they dressed it in period 1930s mode. At the outset of the series, the shows look scrumptious.
Perhaps they wanted a mystery that wasn't much of a mystery to acquaint viewers with the Poirot character, I don't know. I do know David Suchet, despite playing a balding Poirot, steps into the role and makes it enjoyable from the start.
Mr. High and Mighty Poirot, a good cook's a good cook
SimonJack27 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Hercule Poirot gets his comeuppance early in this episode of Agatha Christie's most famous detective. Mrs. Todd calls him proud and conceited right off the bat. Poirot responds thoughtfully to the correction, and we mystery lovers are off on another wonderful story of intrigue.
"The Adventure of the Clapham Cook" is one of the more unusual and best Poirot mysteries. As presented by this film for the BBC, it also has considerable comedy. Poirot and Captain Hastings make a trip to the country - the real country in the north of England. And one scene, shown twice, of a very long bridge with a stream of traffic is quite poignant. It drives home the tremendous care and quality of work that goes into putting these great stories on film. The almost endless stream of vintage automobiles of the period is most impressive.
I have to label this with a spoiler alert for this one note. The story leaves an unsettling matter unresolved. That is the "legacy" of Eliza Dunn, the former cook. Poirot and Hastings visit her at her remote little cottage in the far expanse of northern England. Poirot says to Hastings that he doubts she will have more than a six-month lease on the house. So, when the case is solved and the criminal apprehended, there seems to be no more thought about poor Eliza Dunn who will be evicted from what she came to believe was a cottage bequeathed to her. We are left to surmise that she will be shocked at that time, won't understand what it was all about, and hopefully won't be depressed but will return to the city to find work and survive.
One can imagine an even better outcome for Miss Dunn. That being that she would return to the Todd's, who had not yet been able to find a suitable cook. And then the uppity and ill-mannered Mr. and Mrs. Todd will be left wondering when Eliza tells them that Mr. Poirot had found her and visited her.
This is a wonderful, suspenseful tale that will have one guessing right up the last. Here are some favorite lines from the film.
Mrs. Todd, "Did you pay for that bit in the paper saying what a clever detective you were, or did they put it in themselves?" Hercule Poirot, "Madam?" Mrs. Todd, "Well, I'm sorry, I'm sure, but you know what newspapers are like nowadays. Nothing but puff."
Hercule Poirot, "I'm sorry madam, but I do not take that particular kind of business. I wish you good day." Mrs. Todd, "So that's it, is it? Too proud, eh? Only deal with government secrets and counterfeit jewels? Well, let me tell you, Mr. high and mighty Poirot, a good cook's a good cook. And when you have one, it's as much to you as pearls are to some fine lady." After a thoughtful pause, Poirot breaks into a smile and says, "Madam, you are in the right and I am in the wrong. Your remarks are just and intelligent." Turning to Hustings, he says, "This case will be a novelty, Hastings. Never before have we hunted the missing domestic. For here is this problem of national importance."
Hercule Poirot, "Merely because a man does not offer you a drink, Hastings, does not mean that he is necessarily guilty of other crimes."
Hercule Poirot, "Ah, that is human nature, Mr. Cameron. But it is comforting for us mere mortals to know that banks too have their difficulties.
Hercule Poirot, "Let me just say that the case I'm engaged in is of national importance." Chief Inspector Japp, "Well, I'm glad to hear it, Poirot. Someone was trying to tell me you've gone into the missing domestics business. No, no, I said. Not Poirot, I said. Hard times or not, he wouldn't fall that far."
Captain Hastings, looking over a rock ledge at a valley spread out in the distance, says, "Wonderful position here, Poirot." Hercule Poirot, "If you are a rock it is wonderful."
Hercule Poirot, looking out of the train window traveling in the Lake District, "Look at it Hastings. Not a building in sight. Not a restaurant. Not a theater. Not an art gallery. A wasteland." Captain Hastings, "I thought you liked the country." Hercule Poirot, "But this is not the country, my friend. The country is full of trees and flowers and public houses. This is a desert."
"The Adventure of the Clapham Cook" is one of the more unusual and best Poirot mysteries. As presented by this film for the BBC, it also has considerable comedy. Poirot and Captain Hastings make a trip to the country - the real country in the north of England. And one scene, shown twice, of a very long bridge with a stream of traffic is quite poignant. It drives home the tremendous care and quality of work that goes into putting these great stories on film. The almost endless stream of vintage automobiles of the period is most impressive.
I have to label this with a spoiler alert for this one note. The story leaves an unsettling matter unresolved. That is the "legacy" of Eliza Dunn, the former cook. Poirot and Hastings visit her at her remote little cottage in the far expanse of northern England. Poirot says to Hastings that he doubts she will have more than a six-month lease on the house. So, when the case is solved and the criminal apprehended, there seems to be no more thought about poor Eliza Dunn who will be evicted from what she came to believe was a cottage bequeathed to her. We are left to surmise that she will be shocked at that time, won't understand what it was all about, and hopefully won't be depressed but will return to the city to find work and survive.
One can imagine an even better outcome for Miss Dunn. That being that she would return to the Todd's, who had not yet been able to find a suitable cook. And then the uppity and ill-mannered Mr. and Mrs. Todd will be left wondering when Eliza tells them that Mr. Poirot had found her and visited her.
This is a wonderful, suspenseful tale that will have one guessing right up the last. Here are some favorite lines from the film.
Mrs. Todd, "Did you pay for that bit in the paper saying what a clever detective you were, or did they put it in themselves?" Hercule Poirot, "Madam?" Mrs. Todd, "Well, I'm sorry, I'm sure, but you know what newspapers are like nowadays. Nothing but puff."
Hercule Poirot, "I'm sorry madam, but I do not take that particular kind of business. I wish you good day." Mrs. Todd, "So that's it, is it? Too proud, eh? Only deal with government secrets and counterfeit jewels? Well, let me tell you, Mr. high and mighty Poirot, a good cook's a good cook. And when you have one, it's as much to you as pearls are to some fine lady." After a thoughtful pause, Poirot breaks into a smile and says, "Madam, you are in the right and I am in the wrong. Your remarks are just and intelligent." Turning to Hustings, he says, "This case will be a novelty, Hastings. Never before have we hunted the missing domestic. For here is this problem of national importance."
Hercule Poirot, "Merely because a man does not offer you a drink, Hastings, does not mean that he is necessarily guilty of other crimes."
Hercule Poirot, "Ah, that is human nature, Mr. Cameron. But it is comforting for us mere mortals to know that banks too have their difficulties.
Hercule Poirot, "Let me just say that the case I'm engaged in is of national importance." Chief Inspector Japp, "Well, I'm glad to hear it, Poirot. Someone was trying to tell me you've gone into the missing domestics business. No, no, I said. Not Poirot, I said. Hard times or not, he wouldn't fall that far."
Captain Hastings, looking over a rock ledge at a valley spread out in the distance, says, "Wonderful position here, Poirot." Hercule Poirot, "If you are a rock it is wonderful."
Hercule Poirot, looking out of the train window traveling in the Lake District, "Look at it Hastings. Not a building in sight. Not a restaurant. Not a theater. Not an art gallery. A wasteland." Captain Hastings, "I thought you liked the country." Hercule Poirot, "But this is not the country, my friend. The country is full of trees and flowers and public houses. This is a desert."
A good start to the series
grantss14 July 2016
Hercule Poirot is approached by Mrs Todd with a case. She wants Poirot to investigate the disappearance of her cook, Eliza Dunn. To Poirot it looks like nothing more than a domestic leaving her employer but he reluctantly takes the case. He and Captain Hastings set out to the Todd household in Clapham, where nothing significant turns up. Through advertisements in newspapers they track down Eliza Dunn. The story behind her departure piques Poirot's interest and he starts to think that something far more sinister may be afoot.
The first episode of the wonderful Poirot series, and it's a good one. Quite short by comparison with most of the later episodes but it crams a lot in. Intriguing, especially as the story develops from searching for a domestic who likely just changed employers to something much more interesting, and illegal.
As a bonus, we have the entire gang present - Poirot, Japp, Hastings and Lemon - and the more of them there are in an episode, generally the better it is.
The first episode of the wonderful Poirot series, and it's a good one. Quite short by comparison with most of the later episodes but it crams a lot in. Intriguing, especially as the story develops from searching for a domestic who likely just changed employers to something much more interesting, and illegal.
As a bonus, we have the entire gang present - Poirot, Japp, Hastings and Lemon - and the more of them there are in an episode, generally the better it is.
Fully Realized
tedg1 March 2015
Over the years, I have written one tirade after another about Clive Exton, the adapter of Christie for many of these Poirot mysteries. He just doesn't get the form, what makes the form of the detective story so captivating.
What he does is substitute character for discovery. The excuse, I am sure is that colorful characters can be cinematic and by design, Poirot's grey cells are always inferred, never seen. But I know that one can capture the process on film, because others have done it — even others within this long running series. So I pound my forehead when I see wasted opportunity.
But I do have to give him some credit, I think. This is the first in the very long sequence, years and years. Yet it appears fully formed, as whole as it will ever be. The characters have the same qualities they will keep. The locations, the dressing of sets and actors, and the percentage of populated street scenes.
All this would have been worked out in some detail, probably more preproduction work than any one episode would ever require. I assume that Exton played a role in this, because these are the hooks he exploits better than other writers on the team.
I disagree with his decisions. What works with the books is that there is a powerfully weaving mind in the body of a narcissistic pomp, not the other way around. But I do think he did a good job at what he attempted.
What he does is substitute character for discovery. The excuse, I am sure is that colorful characters can be cinematic and by design, Poirot's grey cells are always inferred, never seen. But I know that one can capture the process on film, because others have done it — even others within this long running series. So I pound my forehead when I see wasted opportunity.
But I do have to give him some credit, I think. This is the first in the very long sequence, years and years. Yet it appears fully formed, as whole as it will ever be. The characters have the same qualities they will keep. The locations, the dressing of sets and actors, and the percentage of populated street scenes.
All this would have been worked out in some detail, probably more preproduction work than any one episode would ever require. I assume that Exton played a role in this, because these are the hooks he exploits better than other writers on the team.
I disagree with his decisions. What works with the books is that there is a powerfully weaving mind in the body of a narcissistic pomp, not the other way around. But I do think he did a good job at what he attempted.
A case that is not insignificant
AvionPrince1624 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed that first episode; i loved the music, i like also the performance of the actor and of course in any Poirot i love also that case that seemed at first sight a little bit simple but it will reveal more depth and more complex after. So we know everything about the case and i found really interested that step by step we approach to the resolution of the case that evolve in a murder. So yeah everything have the explanation. Why he took the luggage? Why he acts like this? It was really a nice discovery and i enjoyed to investigate with Poirot. I still enjoyed the episode despite its 2023 at the time i wrote this review. A nice surprise from the famous detective.
David Suchet makes his debut as Poirot.
jamesraeburn200323 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Hercule Poirot is approached by Mrs Todd (played by Brigit Forsyth) who asks him to find her cook, Eliza Dunn (played by Freda Dowie). Initially, Poirot refuses saying that it isn't what he specialises in. However, he reluctantly agrees to take on her case after she tells him straight that "a good cook's a good cook" and just as important as "stolen secrets and countesses' jewels". Poirot and Captain Hastings (played by Hugh Fraser) go to Mrs Todd's home in Clapham, London, where the detective questions the maid, Annie (played by Katy Murphy), who tells him that Eliza Dunn had sent for her belongings even though she had stated no intention of leaving. Mr Todd doesn't think that any crime has been committed whilst the lodger, a young bank clerk called Arthur Simpson (played by Dermot Crowley), appears to be unaware of her disappearance. When Mr and Mrs Todd dismiss him from the case with a cheque for a paltry one guinea, Poirot is offended and vows to continue with the investigation. It soon becomes apparent that Eliza Dunn's disappearance is connected to Chief Inspector Japp's (played by Philip Jackson) case involving an absconding bank clerk called Davies and the theft of £90,000 in negotiable securities from the bank where he had worked. Poirot finally succeeds in tracing Miss Dunn through an advertisement in the newspapers to Keswick, near Carlisle in the North Country. He and Captain Hastings learn that she had been deliberately gotten out of the way by a deception. She had been approached by a mysterious Australian man called Mr Crotchet who, claiming to be a lawyer, told her that she had come into a legacy of £150 and a house. But, in order for her to be able to claim it, she had to leave her job and London immediately. Returning to London, Poirot once again calls upon Annie, the maid, for help and discovers the reason for the deception enabling Japp to apprehend a murderer and recover the stolen £90,000 worth of negotiable securities...
David Suchet made his debut as Agatha Christie's eccentric but extremely intelligent Belgian detective in this marvellous TV adaptation from a short story of the same name. Here, he establishes himself as the definitive Poirot accurately capturing all of the character's traits, nuances and eccentricities and he is a joy to watch. At the start Captain Hastings is unsuccessfully trying to get him interested in some of the cases being covered in the press. This is because he is too pre-occupied with attending to his wardrobe and trimming his moustache. His embarrassment at accepting Mrs Todd's case is also hilarious, especially when she tells him to his face what she thinks of it all and he has no option but to take it on. Yet, behind his brave face he is still embarrassed and begs Hastings not to tell Japp that he has taken on what he believes to be a trivial matter. However, when the case is concluded and it turned out to be more involved than he first thought, he frames the one guinea cheque from Mr and Mrs Todd and hangs it on the wall above his desk as a reminder "Never to despise the trivial, the undignified. A disappearing domestic at one end. A cold blooded murder at the other". Performances are excellent throughout: Brigit Forsyth excels as Mrs Todd as does Dermot Crowley as the seemingly mild-mannered bank clerk. Katy Murphy has a great part as Annie, the parlour maid, who provides Poirot with a vital clue in solving the mystery. Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson and Pauline Moran are good in the roles in which they would regularly support Suchet in the series that followed this pilot episode. They provided the vital chemistry between Poirot and his friends and associates that was one of the joys of watching the show. Another strength of the series was the excellent production values - costumes, settings, attention to period detail - and the first rate dramatization, which are much in evidence here. The skilled direction is by Edward Bennett.
David Suchet made his debut as Agatha Christie's eccentric but extremely intelligent Belgian detective in this marvellous TV adaptation from a short story of the same name. Here, he establishes himself as the definitive Poirot accurately capturing all of the character's traits, nuances and eccentricities and he is a joy to watch. At the start Captain Hastings is unsuccessfully trying to get him interested in some of the cases being covered in the press. This is because he is too pre-occupied with attending to his wardrobe and trimming his moustache. His embarrassment at accepting Mrs Todd's case is also hilarious, especially when she tells him to his face what she thinks of it all and he has no option but to take it on. Yet, behind his brave face he is still embarrassed and begs Hastings not to tell Japp that he has taken on what he believes to be a trivial matter. However, when the case is concluded and it turned out to be more involved than he first thought, he frames the one guinea cheque from Mr and Mrs Todd and hangs it on the wall above his desk as a reminder "Never to despise the trivial, the undignified. A disappearing domestic at one end. A cold blooded murder at the other". Performances are excellent throughout: Brigit Forsyth excels as Mrs Todd as does Dermot Crowley as the seemingly mild-mannered bank clerk. Katy Murphy has a great part as Annie, the parlour maid, who provides Poirot with a vital clue in solving the mystery. Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson and Pauline Moran are good in the roles in which they would regularly support Suchet in the series that followed this pilot episode. They provided the vital chemistry between Poirot and his friends and associates that was one of the joys of watching the show. Another strength of the series was the excellent production values - costumes, settings, attention to period detail - and the first rate dramatization, which are much in evidence here. The skilled direction is by Edward Bennett.
Overture.
rmax30482312 May 2014
Warning: Spoilers
It's always interesting to see how a long and successful television series begins and compare the earlier with the later episodes.
The differences in this case aren't striking. Poirot's accent and general demeanor are the same. The mustache is more modest than that baroque thing under his nose in some later stories. But, all in all, he minces along and complains about a grease spot on his suit, just as he always will. Hastings is appreciably younger but firmly Hastings. Miss Lemon is as voluptuous as ever, and Inspector Japp is burdened with the same lugubrious features.
The story itself reminded me a little of some of Conan-Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, at least some elements of it. The duping of a naif by a person is disguise turned up once in a while in the Holmes stories. There were echoes of "The Red Headed League." And all of these fictional detectives display an intuition that would stagger a fortune teller, not just Holmes and Poirot but, equally, Columbo.
Example: A murderer goes to great lengths to obtain a particular battered old trunk. He intends to hide a dead body in it. But what does he want an ordinary and weathered trunk? Because it's less likely to be opened by customs inspectors when he ships the body-containing trunk to Venezuela. He's going to take it with him to Caracas because he doesn't want to be bothered disposing of the body in England. Got that? Poirot got it. He figured it all out in no time.
Complete fun.
The differences in this case aren't striking. Poirot's accent and general demeanor are the same. The mustache is more modest than that baroque thing under his nose in some later stories. But, all in all, he minces along and complains about a grease spot on his suit, just as he always will. Hastings is appreciably younger but firmly Hastings. Miss Lemon is as voluptuous as ever, and Inspector Japp is burdened with the same lugubrious features.
The story itself reminded me a little of some of Conan-Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, at least some elements of it. The duping of a naif by a person is disguise turned up once in a while in the Holmes stories. There were echoes of "The Red Headed League." And all of these fictional detectives display an intuition that would stagger a fortune teller, not just Holmes and Poirot but, equally, Columbo.
Example: A murderer goes to great lengths to obtain a particular battered old trunk. He intends to hide a dead body in it. But what does he want an ordinary and weathered trunk? Because it's less likely to be opened by customs inspectors when he ships the body-containing trunk to Venezuela. He's going to take it with him to Caracas because he doesn't want to be bothered disposing of the body in England. Got that? Poirot got it. He figured it all out in no time.
Complete fun.
Poirot slumming
VetteRanger27 January 2023
Poirot is having a slow day and is approached by a woman to find her missing cook, who has simply quit and vanished, and it's SO HARD to find good help. Poirot is shamed into taking the case, which he considers to be entirely beneath him, and doesn't want his police detective rival to discover.
As it turns out, of course, the case is far more complicated than a missing cook, eventually involving a bank theft and a missing man who Poirot is convinced was murdered, but doesn't get a lot of cooperation to find the body or even believe his theory.
This was a great way to begin this marvelous series.
As it turns out, of course, the case is far more complicated than a missing cook, eventually involving a bank theft and a missing man who Poirot is convinced was murdered, but doesn't get a lot of cooperation to find the body or even believe his theory.
This was a great way to begin this marvelous series.
Even the trivial is worth investigating.
planktonrules12 May 2023
"The Adventure of the Clapham Cook" is the first Poirot show starring David Suchet...a man now inextricably tied to this famous fictional detective.
The story starts off with Poirot and his secretary discussing possible cases. Poirot again and again refuses to take cases which seem perfectly worth his time and finally, inexplicably, chooses what seems like a mundane and unimportant case. It seems a woman is upset because her maid just disappeared...though there's no reason to suggest foul play. Despite this, Poirot's interest is piqued and he pursues the case with as much vigor as one of his 'important' cases!
This episode does a good job of establishing the characters and style of the series. Well acted and surprisingly interesting!
The story starts off with Poirot and his secretary discussing possible cases. Poirot again and again refuses to take cases which seem perfectly worth his time and finally, inexplicably, chooses what seems like a mundane and unimportant case. It seems a woman is upset because her maid just disappeared...though there's no reason to suggest foul play. Despite this, Poirot's interest is piqued and he pursues the case with as much vigor as one of his 'important' cases!
This episode does a good job of establishing the characters and style of the series. Well acted and surprisingly interesting!
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