Poirot (TV Series)

The Adventure of the Cheap Flat (1990)

David Suchet: Hercule Poirot

Photos 

Quotes 

• [Mr. and Mrs. Robinson commiserate with Poirot, Hastings and Japp over the break-in to their flat, unaware that Hastings and Poirot were the culprits, who broke in to protect them from an assassin] 

  Captain Hastings : I say!

  [Hastings picks up a burglary tool left behind] 

  Captain Hastings : Look at this! Now there's a real professional's tool if ever I saw one.

  Chief Inspector Japp : [taking tool from Hastings and examining it closely]  Hm, and very careless to leave it behind, if you ask me. Perhaps I should have it checked for fingerprints.

  Hercule Poirot : [takes tool from Japp]  You will find nothing, Chief Inspector. For the real professional...

  Hercule Poirot : [smiling, holds up tool with gloved hand]  ... he wears the gloves.

• Hercule Poirot : [Referring to suspect Carla Romero whose flat the FBI and Scotland Yard have staked out]  Monsieur Burt, I understand that she has had some dealings with the Mafia.

  FBI Agent Burt : When will you guys understand, there is no such thing as the "Mafia" or the "Black Hand" or the "Cosa Nostra." Sure there's some immigrant families of mainly Southern European extraction who push each other around, but organized crime, *no sir*!

• Hercule Poirot : [questioning Carla Romero]  And there could never be a position for a woman of your ingenuity in the Ma...

  [Poirot stops short of saying "Mafia," realizing that Agent Burt is present] 

  Hercule Poirot : Pardon. In the Brotherhood.

  FBI Agent Burt : "Brotherhood." Look, the FBI is unequivocal in this matter. There is no such thing as the goddamn Brotherhood!

• Chief Inspector Japp : May I introduce Hercule Poirot, the private detective, and his associate Captain Hastings.

  Hercule Poirot : The American crime buster, hm?

  FBI Agent Burt : Japp, I hope you're not so short of manpower you're hiring a shamus. What are they good for... chasing lost dogs. This is a matter of international security we're dealing with here.

  Chief Inspector Japp : I have no intention of hiring anyone, Burt. And if you must know Mr. Poirot here has an outstanding reputation.

  FBI Agent Burt : Oh... a gumshoe... of distinction. And I suppose Al Capone's running for president.

• Hercule Poirot : You see, Agent Burt. Sometimes a lost dog can be found in a place so conspicuous it is the last to be considered.

• [first lines] 

  Captain Hastings : It's all over, Poirot. You can open your eyes now.

  Hercule Poirot : [opening his eyes]  Hastings, this is the last time.

• Hercule Poirot : Really, Hastings, you must try to keep up with the newer idioms.

• Hercule Poirot : Hastings, it is always wise to make a thorough inspection before arriving at a final decision.