Phryne goes to a jazz club in Melbourne to meet an old acquaintance, Charles Freeman. Phryne had had a fling with Charles' brother, Vic, who, as Charles says "was lost in the war" ten years previously. Charles is in desperate need of money and wants Phryne to buy his never used bi-plane but before he can share more about his difficulties, they are interrupted. Soon thereafter, a club patron that Charles had been seen having a heated argument with is murdered. Because of the argument and the fact that Charles fled the scene, he quickly becomes the prime suspect. Phryne assures his mother that she will do all she can to clear Charles. It is soon discovered that the murdered man, Leonard Stevens is a low-down blackmailer. A number of people have secrets that they very much want kept hidden and for which they were being blackmailed. One of the secrets is about a homosexual relationship - a "crime" punishable by a jail sentence in the 1920s. There is a strong and welcome element of humor in this episode including a scene where Officer Hugh Collins has to frisk the women at the club and the scene of the exchange between Phryne and the medical examiner. But the most light hearted scenes are those about the budding romance between Hugh and Dot. Their outdated hesitancy and faltering is quite endearing. Hugh becomes quite concerned when he realizes that Dot may be Catholic - "because Mother wouldn't approve." Later Dot concludes her nightly prayers with "Please God give Hugh a sign that you're Catholic." A naive and charming scene. Also of note in the episode is Deni Hines as jazz singer Nerine Rogers - her singing was fantastic. This is a witty and entertaining episode with a murder method reminiscent of a Golden Age detective story.
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (TV Series)
The Green Mill Murder (2012)
User Reviews
Review this title5 Reviews
An interesting means of murder
bensonmum25 April 2017
While out dancing at a jazz club, a man is murdered right in front of Miss Phryne Fisher. Her friend, Charles, was seen arguing with the murdered man just before he was killed. In addition, it's discovered that Charles was being blackmailed by the dead man. To make matters even worse, he's disappeared. Things certainly don't look good for old Charles. As it turns out, however, Charles wasn't the only person being blackmailed. Miss Fisher uncovers a slew of people with a motive for murder.
Overall, The Green Mill Murder was an enjoyable enough episode - not spectacular, but decent enough. The mystery here is more difficult to solve than the previous episodes. I didn't guess the outcome. The means of murder ends up being rather ingenious, but most probably very unlikely to succeed. Once again, watching Miss Fisher go about her investigation is what I like most about the show. Whether it's climbing the side of a building or flying a plane, Miss Fisher's exploits are always entertaining. The episode touches interestingly on topics that would have been scandalous in the 1920s - homosexuality, inter- racial marriage, and even Protestant / Catholic relationships. While all this may seem routine today, it's interesting to watch how these topics would have been dealt with 100 years ago. For example, homosexuality was punishable by a multi- year prison sentence. Finally, the supporting characters get a real chance to shine in The Green Mill Murder. The budding romance between Miss Fisher's maid, Dot, and Constable Collins gets considerable airtime. I never use this word, but it's sweet.
Overall, The Green Mill Murder was an enjoyable enough episode - not spectacular, but decent enough. The mystery here is more difficult to solve than the previous episodes. I didn't guess the outcome. The means of murder ends up being rather ingenious, but most probably very unlikely to succeed. Once again, watching Miss Fisher go about her investigation is what I like most about the show. Whether it's climbing the side of a building or flying a plane, Miss Fisher's exploits are always entertaining. The episode touches interestingly on topics that would have been scandalous in the 1920s - homosexuality, inter- racial marriage, and even Protestant / Catholic relationships. While all this may seem routine today, it's interesting to watch how these topics would have been dealt with 100 years ago. For example, homosexuality was punishable by a multi- year prison sentence. Finally, the supporting characters get a real chance to shine in The Green Mill Murder. The budding romance between Miss Fisher's maid, Dot, and Constable Collins gets considerable airtime. I never use this word, but it's sweet.
This is truly wonderful.
Sleepin_Dragon18 August 2020
Who killed Leonard? Socialite Phyrne Fisher can't even enjoy a jazz band without murder flowing her around.
There is some real quality once again, the story, the acting and the gorgeous visuals. I keep expecting there to be a little bit of a lull, if anything this series if getting better, perhaps my favourite story so far, it's very clever, and the music is first rate.
Deni Hines is wonderful as Nerine, she plays the part of the star very well, she even upstages the charismatic Phryne.
Love that scene where Huw walks in and sees Dot all made up.
Excellent, 9/10.
There is some real quality once again, the story, the acting and the gorgeous visuals. I keep expecting there to be a little bit of a lull, if anything this series if getting better, perhaps my favourite story so far, it's very clever, and the music is first rate.
Deni Hines is wonderful as Nerine, she plays the part of the star very well, she even upstages the charismatic Phryne.
Love that scene where Huw walks in and sees Dot all made up.
Excellent, 9/10.
silent films
brooklynvitus10 May 2021
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