This is the best Crown Court episode l’ve yet seen. Small wonder, with script by (Dame) Ngaio Marsh & a brilliant rendition by (The Divine) Joan Hickson. Her voice was the giveaway - but it took a while to realize. Geniuses at work here…
Hi James. RE Crown Court 'Evil liver'. I agree, great episode and great performances all round. BUT I think they hey missed a trick at the end; The Dr. should have been seen leaving with a copy of the Daily Telegraph on his hand. 😁 That would have been fun. 😁😁
That wasn't '_just_ a daytime show'!! Wash your mouth out for shame! This was a National Institution, watched by -millio- well, ok, thousands of avid fans. 😆😆😆😆😆😆 There was a lot less choice back then remember, so daytime tv could attract serious talent, even Granada! Whoever was home and had the time was a captive audience anyway. (I used to love watching this when I was home for lunch from school.
Writers, directors and producers trusted the intelligence and attentiveness of their audiences so much more in those days. Can you imagine the bells and whistles they’d have to add these days to meet their own low expectations of the viewers’ capabilities? Manufactured arguments in the fly-on-the-wall JuryCam, post-verdict interviews with the jury members, quick-cut voiceover recaps every 15 minutes, interjections by “Judge” Rinder and intrusive on-screen “insights” live from Twitter. All presented by Nick Knowles.
Joan Hickson was superb here as eccentric, God fearing, nosey Mary Freebody, loved her as an actress. She played Miss.Marple brilliantly in BBC's adaaption.
+London No Dippy Dolly She's my favorite Miss Marple, yet for unknown reasons I NEVER recognize her in anything else. I just have one of those, "I know that actress" reactions. It just happened again last week in some old program I watched.
I've read Ngaio Marsh off and on for years but just found this story and read it. Was glad to find this video of it. Joan Hickson was superb, also loved Spenser Banks as Tidwell. Joan is my favorite Miss Marple of all time. Thank you!
Ahaa! That's why I knew him. Spencer Banks played the male lead in Timeslip. A children's television Sci-Fi series & comic strip in Look-in magazine. His character was the polar opposite of the butcher's boy.
Two actors in this played (David Waller) CI Jowett, and(William Simons) DC Thackery on the Sgt. Cribb series. That was a great British police drama series too.
I remember watching this when I was a kid and being a bit scared by whatever I think the defence counsel was putting to the prosecution. To anyone thinking of pursuing a career in law, this is a very good study aid.
I loved seeing the snooty Mrs. Eccleston walk into a courtroom full of people who'd just found out she was an adulterer. Ngaio Marsh--there's no master like an Old Master. Or mistress, if you want to be picky.
This particular episode is one of those that went out on Saturday nights around 8 pm - they tried as an experiment putting episodes on Saturday nights - complete cases in one episode of over an hour in duration in the summer of 1975 - but it reverted to being an afternoon programme in the autumn! I can only assume that the jury in this particular case - made up of members of the general public, apart from the foreman - must have been forewarned of the “death” of Major Ecclestone!
2.22 "I had a drink: listened to the wireless". My late Granny used to say that, the wireless. She died in 1969. It's been years since I've heard someone call the radio the wireless.
I also call it the wireless and I was only a child when this first aired. It depends where you live and what your family called things. I am sure that you have not heard everybody in the world say what they call the item under discussion. So it is naive to say that because you have not heard it said, that it is not said far and wide.
Thank you for posting this. I have been reading a book of stories by Dame Ngaio Marsh which included the script for this episode, but not the jury's verdict, so I just had to come here to find out. It does seem very suspicious that somebody who was obviously Miss Freebody went on to change her name to Marple and get involved in a whole set of other murders, though. I don't know how she got away with it!
Written by Ngaio Marsh and there's dear Bre'r Fox all wigged and gowned! Lovely performance by Joan Hickson, and I wouldn't have spotted Liz Dawn if not for that irascible shrug off.
This was one of the most bizarre cases in the entire series. I think the judge was a bit too lenient towards the doctor, but his directions to the jury were spot on under the circumstances
Thomas Tidwell who’s played by spencer banks who played Simon Randall in the atv tv series Timeslip and he already looks so much older in this in 1975 already. Edit: Though he was 16 when he was in Timeslip and he was 21 by 1975 so it’s understandable.
.the judge is bieng driven to stockport town hall.there is not a crown court there.only magistrates.but in those days.the court's were on the market area.
What a TV show this was. I watched one episode whilst recovering from a pretty badly broken leg. The episode involved a Greek Cypriot character... i think.
These are very compulsive aren't they 😂 lovely to see Joan Hickson having such fun with her part! I don't suppose that there was an episode that followed on from this with a trial for what happened? Does anyone know? @jez142?
I know it is tantamount to blasphemy to criticise the incomparable Joan Hickson but her overacting in this episode is laughable, in fact, almost as bad as that of the major. In fairness, the scriptwriter must bear a share of the blame for creating these cardboard characters. This is an excellent series with some exceptions, such as this.
This is the best Crown Court episode l’ve yet seen. Small wonder, with script by (Dame) Ngaio Marsh & a brilliant rendition by (The Divine) Joan Hickson. Her voice was the giveaway - but it took a while to realize. Geniuses at work here…
Hi James. RE Crown Court 'Evil liver'. I agree, great episode and great performances all round. BUT I think they hey missed a trick at the end; The Dr. should have been seen leaving with a copy of the Daily Telegraph on his hand. 😁 That would have been fun. 😁😁
I knew this episode was going to be great with Joan Hickson as the defendant. It didn't disappoint! Great performances from all.
Written by Dame Ngaio Marsh. Never ceases to amaze me the talent that was attracted to this daytime TV show.
That wasn't '_just_ a daytime show'!! Wash your mouth out for shame! This was a National Institution, watched by -millio- well, ok, thousands of avid fans. 😆😆😆😆😆😆 There was a lot less choice back then remember, so daytime tv could attract serious talent, even Granada! Whoever was home and had the time was a captive audience anyway. (I used to love watching this when I was home for lunch from school.
Writers, directors and producers trusted the intelligence and attentiveness of their audiences so much more in those days. Can you imagine the bells and whistles they’d have to add these days to meet their own low expectations of the viewers’ capabilities? Manufactured arguments in the fly-on-the-wall JuryCam, post-verdict interviews with the jury members, quick-cut voiceover recaps every 15 minutes, interjections by “Judge” Rinder and intrusive on-screen “insights” live from Twitter. All presented by Nick Knowles.
Joan Hickson was superb here as eccentric, God fearing, nosey Mary Freebody, loved her as an actress. She played Miss.Marple brilliantly in BBC's adaaption.
+London No Dippy Dolly
She's my favorite Miss Marple, yet for unknown reasons I NEVER recognize her in anything else. I just have one of those, "I know that actress" reactions. It just happened again last week in some old program I watched.
Yes, she was awesome.
Brilliant actress, in loads of old films
@@qhspersonAgree, fabulous character actress... in this & other programmes. THE best Miss Marple, absolutely.
yes i love her in the film clockwise(1986)
I used to love watching these episodes in the seventies with my grandmother, they bring back some lovely memories. Thank you. 😊
Absolutely brilliant blend of comedy and melodrama. Thanks for sharing this.
I'd like to see the case covering the inevitable follow-up once the subsequent police investigation is complete.
Joan Hickson was such a wonderful actress!
My favourite Miss Marple 😊
@@petesymes8291 The definitive, I’d say, Pete. 👍
@@jezt42So would I.
I've read Ngaio Marsh off and on for years but just found this story and read it. Was glad to find this video of it. Joan Hickson was superb, also loved Spenser Banks as Tidwell. Joan is my favorite Miss Marple of all time. Thank you!
Ahaa! That's why I knew him. Spencer Banks played the male lead in Timeslip. A children's television Sci-Fi series & comic strip in Look-in magazine.
His character was the polar opposite of the butcher's boy.
Me too - that’s why I came to watch it! I wanted to know what verdict was delivered.
A plot of Christie-esque proportions, with the incomparable & later to be Miss Marple, La Hickson, what more could one ask - Superb!!
Wow, Crown Court is in the house! I remember this show. Thanks for posting.
Two actors in this played (David Waller) CI Jowett, and(William Simons) DC Thackery on the Sgt. Cribb series. That was a great British police drama series too.
I love the intro showing the Judge's home and the Daimler coming to ferry him to work with police escort.
I remember watching this when I was a kid and being a bit scared by whatever I think the defence counsel was putting to the prosecution. To anyone thinking of pursuing a career in law, this is a very good study aid.
barbara anne cortina Either this or Law & Order.
Mrs Pooh, from To The Manor Born is in it too.
I loved seeing the snooty Mrs. Eccleston walk into a courtroom full of people who'd just found out she was an adulterer.
Ngaio Marsh--there's no master like an Old Master. Or mistress, if you want to be picky.
I loved the hint of a "common" accent. Absolutely top notch acting all round.
Great. Wow, afternoon TV has really changed.
And certainly not for the better!.
This particular episode is one of those that went out on Saturday nights around 8 pm - they tried as an experiment putting episodes on Saturday nights - complete cases in one episode of over an hour in duration in the summer of 1975 - but it reverted to being an afternoon programme in the autumn!
I can only assume that the jury in this particular case - made up of members of the general public, apart from the foreman - must have been forewarned of the “death” of Major Ecclestone!
Jez t, I’ve no idea who you are, but many thanks for putting this on RUclips.
2.22 "I had a drink: listened to the wireless". My late Granny used to say that, the wireless. She died in 1969. It's been years since I've heard someone call the radio the wireless.
I am much younger and love calling it the wireless.
I also call it the wireless and I was only a child when this first aired. It depends where you live and what your family called things. I am sure that you have not heard everybody in the world say what they call the item under discussion. So it is naive to say that because you have not heard it said, that it is not said far and wide.
David Waller (the Major) played a similar role in an episode of Rumpole of the Bailey, as a garden centre owner trying to get his partner convicted.
True! The sneak!! That was a good Rumpole w the garden gnomes 😂
I don’t know about liver but there’s certainly a lot of ham in this episode.
Lol
Thank you for the link Kemper!
All about Agatha, all the time!;D
Poor little cat!
Thanks for these. Brought back many happy memories.
Also the defence lawyer played Sergeant Fox in the Inspector Alleyn Mysteries.
Lynne Gill Inspector, not Sergeant, Fox.
And Alf Ventress in Heartbeat.
Wonderful well scripted series I remember watching this in the afternoons when I was at home with my daughter as a baby
Thank you for posting this. I have been reading a book of stories by Dame Ngaio Marsh which included the script for this episode, but not the jury's verdict, so I just had to come here to find out.
It does seem very suspicious that somebody who was obviously Miss Freebody went on to change her name to Marple and get involved in a whole set of other murders, though. I don't know how she got away with it!
I've had an evil liver the morning after almost every Friday night since I was 18. And I'm damn proud of it. So there.
Written by Ngaio Marsh and there's dear Bre'r Fox all wigged and gowned! Lovely performance by Joan Hickson, and I wouldn't have spotted Liz Dawn if not for that irascible shrug off.
This was one of the most bizarre cases in the entire series. I think the judge was a bit too lenient towards the doctor, but his directions to the jury were spot on under the circumstances
I used to watch these at lunch time with my mother.
It's Vera Duckworth at 42.37
Hickson is unbelievable she was an amazingly talented actress
thanks for sharing,enjoyed that one
The butcher's boy gets me every time..LIVER.!!!!
“Wait for it ! Wait for it !”
@@briandelaney9710 ooh yes 😍
Classic cockney, ‘Well, ‘course I did, didn’t I?’
It's amazing how relevant these are. Just substitute an XL bully.
Daphne Heard played Hinge and Bracket's clumsey cleaner Maud Print in 'The Enchanting World of Hinge & Bracket'.
+London No Dippy Dolly
I love those programs, and I love Maud's stories.
Liz Dawn is a prison officer/jailer, not a police officer.
loved this episode
Great stuff !!!
Brilliant!
Bang got what was coming to him!
Great show
His dog should have been put down for killing her cat
Loved the butcher’s boy, laughed my head off while making rock cakes this afternoon.
the chewing gum guy who delivered the meat from the butchers looks like a very young Damian Lewis from HOMELAND?
He is in emerdale
Who does he play?
I took him for Hugh Laurie!
That was my first reaction, too.
yes i thought it was him at first
Proper theatre. Great characters and not filled with the good looking muppets on Tv today.
The adulteress wife is a looker though.
@@MisAnnThorpe Yes, and the doctor.
Dear me, not blessed yourself!
Bravos to all!
A bit difficult to take the judge seriously after his retirement from being the Bishop of St. Oggs....
Thomas Tidwell who’s played by spencer banks who played Simon Randall in the atv tv series Timeslip and he already looks so much older in this in 1975 already.
Edit: Though he was 16 when he was in Timeslip and he was 21 by 1975 so it’s understandable.
Spencer Banks from Timeslip playing very differently than Simon Randall!
i cant help but laugh every time i watch this
Surely, the defendant should have been found guilty of sending threatening letters....
44:59 pronounced dead after a 2 second examination??? I think not LOL
'' I looked and ' bang' he was dead .'' Great drama.
Wow that was a Corker!
Awesome. :)
Wonderful
Is that Andy from the prehistoric adventures?
Very good
Thomas Tidwell 🤣🤣🤣
Crazy.
Can't imagine the Major owning anything so common as an Alsatian.
Probably an old Blackshirt reliving his glory days
29:29 Is the randy doc now making a move on the butcher's boy ? He's insatiable.
lol - I see what you mean :D
For pity's sake, just enjoy the bloody thing without the stupid comments
Or Alsationable!
@@melclo3641 I hope you appreciate that mine was humourous and not stupid?!
@@melclo3641 Oooh , touchy ! Hit a nerve there, have we ?
William Simmons!!
.the judge is bieng driven to stockport town hall.there is not a crown court there.only magistrates.but in those days.the court's were on the market area.
remember this.
Class
Well this is more understood with' slience of the lambs' how migs died.
who,multiple migs in the next cell?😂
What a TV show this was. I watched one episode whilst recovering from a pretty badly broken leg. The episode involved a Greek Cypriot character... i think.
Crown Court- plan B'ing witnesses before Bobby Donnell made it cool.
An excellent piece of theatre..............but the judge was far too tolerant.
So much for the supposedly more respectable and well behaved middle classes.
Interesting note: an "Alsatian" is actually a German Shepherd.
No, it's not. They are different.
They are actually 2 distinct breeds,generally the German shepherd is smaller.
@@darkknight1340 not in Britain. The GSD was renamed during WWI until the '70s. Now it's just the GSD again.
Are they the same as Alstations, then?
Wow. Oh and 15:05 🤣
56.45 homer Simpson
The Mojor
These are very compulsive aren't they 😂 lovely to see Joan Hickson having such fun with her part! I don't suppose that there was an episode that followed on from this with a trial for what happened? Does anyone know? @jez142?
What's with the white wigs?!
Formality and a symbol of authority
I know it is tantamount to blasphemy to criticise the incomparable Joan Hickson but her overacting in this episode is laughable, in fact, almost as bad as that of the major. In fairness, the scriptwriter must bear a share of the blame for creating these cardboard characters. This is an excellent series with some exceptions, such as this.
Agree about Joan Hickson. Also this is more of a whodunnit than a legitimate Crown Court. But great credit to Jez T for sharing this excellent series.
She's playing the part of a very eccentric spinster 'mad cat lady', extremely well. Not overacting at all for the part.
Interesting to see Miss Marple in the dock and this was more like a whodunnit too!
I have characters like this around me. And am probably one myself. She's spot on.
It's overblown, but so are many British murder mysteries...all part of the fun 😊