Murder Ahoy (1964)

The last in Margaret Rutherford's Miss Marple series, Murder Ahoy finds the always amiable amateur sleuth in an original screenplay, not one based upon an Agatha Christie novel. Aficionados will notice the Christie absence, most obviously in the finale, which gives Marple a much more physically active role than usual (including a swordfight), but Ahoy is still a top notch piece of escapism. The humor is a bit broader in David Pursall and Jack Seddon's screenplay, and the conflict between Marple and Inspector Craddock seems somewhat contrived, but the plotting is still self-assured and the mystery interesting. The writers have also given the character of Mr. Stringer (played by Rutherford's husband, Stringer Davis) rather more to do, which is all to the good. There's a chemistry between the husband-wife team, although it's one of mutual affection rather than sexuality, and Davis is endearingly befuddled -- "cute" in the better sense of the word. Of the rest of the supporting cast, Lionel Jeffries goes a bit too far as the Captain but is otherwise solid. Director George Pollock unobtrusively keeps things moving at a lively clip. Calling the series off after Ahoy may have disappointed its fans, but it did allow the series to go out while still shipshape. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide