The Mystery of the Missing Moustache. Or Who Stole Poirot's Moustache. A
complex case indeed. The Hercule Poirot in this film has no moustache - something
that every other Poirot has had and something that the Poirot of the books
takes great pride in. A magnificent well-lacquered finery above his lip.
And they couldn't be bothered in this early adaptation of Christie's book
(1933) of the same title and aka Thirteen at Dinner. It is one of her more
enjoyable books because there are enough clues within to figure it out on
your own. The film is less generous with hints of the murderer. A three-time
murderer which is a good number - not too many, not too few. After the first
murder you need a few more popping up to keep your interest. Other than leaving
out a few breadcrumbs the film sticks very closely to the plot of the book.
Lady Edgware (Jane Carr) comes to Poirot to ask him to intercede with her
husband and convince him to give her a divorce. Not really Poirot's usual
line of work but she is an ex-American actress, very charming, lively and
quite lovely. Poirot being French - I mean Belgian - cannot say no. But Lord
Edgware says he already agreed to that months ago. And then promptly gets
murdered later that night. Suspicion falls immediately on the wife but she
was at a dinner party with twelve others giving her an alibi. Poirot (Austin
Trevor) investigates with the help of his right hand man, Hastings (Richard
Cooper). Hastings is rather fun here and unlike any other Hastings I have
come across - he keeps interrupting Poirot during his questioning of witnesses
much to Poirot's irritation. This film is ok - I will watch anything Poirot
or Miss Marple related and was delighted when I came across this on YouTube.
The actors are unknown to me but Jane Carr is great in her role and Trevor
is all wrong but still it's Poirot. But damn, a grand moustache would have
helped. Trevor appeared as Poirot in two earlier films but both are lost
- no word on his moustache.
