The Alphabet Murders

This article is about the film. For the poem, see John Tranter. For the 1970s serial killings in Rochester, NY, see Alphabet murders.

The Alphabet Murders
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Frank Tashlin
Written by	David Pursall (screenplay) Jack Seddon (screenplay) Agatha Christie (novel)
Starring	Tony Randall Anita Ekberg Robert Morley
Music by	Ron Goodwin
Cinematography	Desmond Dickinson
Distributed by	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release dates	August 1965 (1965-08) (UK) 17 May 1966 (1966-05-17) (U.S.)
Running time	90 min
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

The Alphabet Murders is a British detective film based on the novel The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie, starring Tony Randall as Hercule Poirot.

Plot

Albert Aachen, a clown with a unique diving act, is found dead, the murder weapon a poison dart. When a woman named Betty Barnard becomes the next victim, detective Hercule Poirot suspects that Sir Carmichael Clarke could be in grave danger.

As he and Captain Hastings look into the crimes, a beautiful woman with an interesting monogram named Amanda Beatrice Cross becomes the focus of their investigation, at least until she leaps into the Thames.

Cast

• Tony Randall as Hercule Poirot
• Anita Ekberg as Amanda
• Robert Morley as Hastings
• Maurice Denham as Japp
• Guy Rolfe as Duncan Doncaster
• Sheila Allen as Lady Diane
• James Villiers as Franklin
• Julian Glover as Don Fortune
• Grazina Frame as Betty Barnard
• Clive Morton as 'X'
• Cyril Luckham as Sir Carmichael Clarke
• Richard Wattis as Wolf
• David Lodge as Sergeant
• Patrick Newell as Cracknell
• Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple
• Stringer Davis (Rutherford's husband) as Mr. Stringer.

Production background

The part of Poirot had originally been intended for Zero Mostel but the film was delayed because Agatha Christie objected to the script. The film varies significantly from the novel and emphasises comedy, the specialty of director Frank Tashlin. Poirot is given buffoonish characteristics, while still remaining a brilliant detective.

See also

• Agatha Christie's Great Detectives Poirot and Marple, another case of Marple and Poirot coexisting in the same story

External links

• The Alphabet Murders at IMDb