The lovable granny

Ms. Marple: Murder at the Gallop (1963)

They say murder is no laughing matter, but this Agatha Christie based movie makers decided to give a light-hearted comedic feel to this one. Even the original title from the story is based on is quite sombre, 'After the Funeral'.

Ms Marple, Agatha Christie's loveable freelance detective, is acted by Margaret Rutherford who looks like someone's eavesdropping granny rather than a window climbing, torch-light armed crime buster. She, however, does a marvellous job in this murder mystery based in a stable in the English countryside.

As Ms Marple goes around asking for donations, she and her side-kick bumps into a dying rich man in his usual secluded mansion. Even though the police suspect it to be a death caused by natural causes, a heart attack, Ms Marple is adamant that it is anything but a natural death. She is further convinced when she sneaks in to overhear the reading of the old man's will.

With the backdrop of a horse-riding retreat, feuding relatives, dance and a priceless painter, Ms Marple impresses us with her charm, wit, energy and tireless hunt for clues. A good movie with charming typical English tongue-in-cheek dialogue.

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