No mystery: one of Agatha Christie’s fans solves a literary crime against her “Miss Marple” series

WORLD ^ | 8/13/05 | Gene Edward Veith

[yarddog]

I read her book "Ten Little Indians" some time ago. I was later surprised to learn the original title was not little Indians.

[Dog]

Jane they are talking about you....:-)

[Frank_Discussion]

It was "Ten Little..." Whats?

[Dog]

Don't you just hate it when someone does that to you....:-)

[yarddog]

The big one, the "N" word.

[ladyinred]

I am an avid reader of Agatha, and agree with this lady that one of the reasons I like her novels so much is the fact that there is no bad language and steamy sex etc. I am equally appalled that this adaptation has made a mockery of her wonderful books!

[Frank_Discussion]

Ohhh... Norman. Got it. Ten Little Normans.

[skip_intro]

I read her book "Ten Little Indians" some time ago. I was later surprised to learn the original title was not little Indians.

These days, "Ten Little Indians" wouldn't work either.

"Ten Little Homophobes", perhaps?

[minus_273]

well, it's not called Ten little indians anymore. Its not PC. It is now called "And then there were none". Literature? who needs that when you have the liberal media to keep you happy.

[sittnick]

For the record, I do not believe that it was ever as perjorative in England as it turned out to be in the U.S. Chesterton and Belloc use it simply as an adjective, the way one might say Turk or Mongol.

[Miss Marple]

Mrs. Measley has my undying gratitude for her valiant attempt to preserve the Christie novels. As you know, my screen name is based on my very favorite character, who could solve quite complex murder mysteries by relying on her knowledge of human nature, based on her observations of the peopel of St. Mary Meade.

The real Miss Marple would not apprpove of these new versions. Neither do I.

[skinkinthegrass]

"So much for the Modern Classics"...destroyed/mangled by Liberal Scum.

[Clique]

Are they are referring to the series starring Joan Hickson, made in the 1990s and broadcast in the U.S. on PBS-TV and later on A&E?

I have the whole set on tape. I have watched "Murder in the Library" many times, and I don't remember any lesbian element at all.

Or is this a new series that has just come out? Anybody know for sure?

[rhema]

"So much for the Modern Classics"...destroyed/mangled by Liberal Scum.

My wife and I simply couldn't make ourselves watch more than the first two episodes of the PBS series. We weren't aware of all of the specific indignities Miss Measley discovered and sent to WORLD, but the transparent, tendentious adulteration of the original works was obvious.

[LibFreeOrDie]

It's the new version, starring Geraldine Mc Ewan, shown just recently on PBS.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/mystery/marple/index.html

(At this rate, if PBS ever remakes the Inspector Morse and Adam Dalgleish stories, the two detectives will end up as gay lovers - the new Tommy and Tuppence!)

[Jemian]

It was "And Then There Were None." It was a great story. I first read it when I was in the sixth grade and I've been hooked on Christie ever since.

[rhema]

It's a new series, and it's entirely forgettable, Ms. Eaton's assurances notwithstanding:

"We are delighted to see the return of this signature series to MYSTERY!," says executive producer Rebecca Eaton. "Christie fans will not be disappointed: Geraldine McEwan is a delicious Miss Marple!"

[Clique]

Thank you. Well, directors and actors have a right to earn a living, and sometimes it seems that remaking things is all they can do. For the life of me I can't see how anyone could ever be a better Miss Marple than Joan Hickson.

If anyone has seen the new series and disagrees with me, please bring me up to date...because I don't plan to watch it.

[TwoStep]

**FYI**