Poirot: Set 12

At last. With the appearance of the 3 tapes that comprise "Poirot, Set 12," the Acorn Media series of releases of all the Poirot episodes is now available, the short episodes on tape only but soon to be released on DVD and the longer episodes in both formats.

The three stories in this last set are a cut above average (and that average is pretty high in this series). "The King of Clubs" involves the murder of a detestable film producer and opens with a very funny and technically fascinating sequence of a movie set during the era of the early talkies. Note especially the use of matte for special effects. While you might find the "solution" not quite satisfying, the whole thing is a lot of fun.

"The Dream" suffers as most television versions do of stories that involve one character made up to resemble another one. A little subplot is added concerning Miss Lemon's need for a decent typewriter and Poirot's strangely obtuse reaction to her demands. Again the opening sequence around the assembly line of a great pie factory with its female workers in fetching blue and white uniforms is beautifully done.

"The Incredible Theft" does have a double turn of events at the end and a pretty good car chase preceding it. And it is in this episode that we learn from Hastings that Chief Inspector Japp talks in his sleep as he relives past arrests!

It is little touches like this that have made the series such a success, not to mention the fine acting of leading and supporting actors and the impeccable period designs. Set 12 is a worthy ending to a fine set of video recordings from Acorn Media.

The "Poirot Collector's Set Volume 12" contains three 50-minute episodes from the series' introductory season in 1989: "The King of Clubs", "The Dream", and "The Incredible Theft", all on one disc. All three of these episodes take place in England and feature David Suchet as the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, Hugh Fraser as his friend Capt. Hastings, Pauline Moran as Poirot's most efficient secretary Miss Lemon, and Philip Jackson as Scotland Yard's Inspector Japp. The other seven episodes from Series 1 can be found on Collector's Sets 9, 10, and 11. This was an impressive debut season for the "Poirot" series, and it stands the test of time. The humor is as sharp, the lovely modernist sets as captivating, and the fussy Belgian sleuth as endearing as they were 20 years ago. The episodes are:

Capt. Hastings introduces Poirot to his old friend Bunny Saunders (Jonathan Coy) in "The King of Clubs". Saunders is directing a movie for Parade Studios under the thumb of its boorish studio head Henry Reedburn (David Swift), who is making the cast and crew miserable. The leading lady, Valerie Saintclair (Niamh Cusack), is a big star, while the leading man is aging alcoholic Ralph Walton (Gawn Grainger). Miss Saintclair's financé, and one of the film's financiers, is European royal Prince Paul (Jack Klaff), an acquaintance of Poirot. And so the Prince knows whom to call when Miss Saintclair finds Reedburn dead in his home the same evening that Saunders, Walton, and Saintnclair herself had unfriendly occasions to be there.

In "The Dream", Poirot is summoned by an ill-tempered Mr. Benedict Farley, founder and president of Farley's Foods, known for their immensely successful, mass-produced meat pies. Mr. Farley has been having a recurring dream in which he kills himself in his library. He wants to know what Poirot makes of it but will not give the detective access to the premises. Shortly after, the dream seemingly comes true. It would seem like a routine suicide except for the dream. Farley's second wife Louise (Mary Tamm), his frustrated daughter Joanna (Joely Richardson), and perhaps his protective private secretary Mr. Cornworthy (Alan Howard) are suspect. But Poirot is having a fit, because he cannot seem to get the little grey cells working efficiently on this case.

"The Incredible Theft" offers a bit of political intrigue. An anonymous woman has been trying to get an appointment with Poirot, and, when she does, she claims that a social gathering at her home is a matter of national emergency. She is Margaret Mayfield (Ciaran Madden), wife of Tommy Mayfield (John Stride), an armaments manufacturer who is developing a plane called the Kestrel for the British military. In hopes of getting a commitment of more funding, he has invited Sir George Carrington (John Carson) for an evening of entertainment. But Mrs. Mayfield is concerned about another guest, Miss Vanderlyn (Carmen du Sautoy), a know German sympathizer who may be after the Kestrel plans. So Poirot joins the guest list. This episode features a vintage car chase.

The DVD (Acorn 2005): Bonus features are parts of a text interview with David Suchet and a brief text bio for Agatha Christie. These are the same features as on Volume 11. There are also selective filmographies for 6 actors. No subtitles.

If you want this, and the other eleven Collector's sets, then you want: Agatha Christie's Poirot - The Classic Collection. These sets are the same as the Classic Collection sets Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Classic Collection - Set 1 through Poirot: Classic Collection Set 4. Don't be fooled into buying duplicate DVDs.

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