HICKERY DICKERY DOCK

REVIEWED BY CARISSA HORTON

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Because of: violence, thematic elements

Rated:

Ah yes, the debonair detective Hercule Poirot (David Suchet). This diminutive private eye is well known throughout England and the outer reaches of Europe as a top notch investigator. Natively Belgian, Monsieur Poirot is a rather sensitive little man, particularly when it comes to his carefully coiffed moustache or his homeland (heaven forbid anyone should assume him to be from France). Residing in a high-rise London apartment, Poirot and his partner, Captain Arthur Hastings (Hugh Frasier), are one of the best teams ever invented whether on the screen or in book form. Hastings is rather simple-minded, naive, and has a tendency to act first and think after, but he counteracts Poirot’s sometimes stiff demeanor, creating an ideal duo.

For this particular mystery we go into the life of Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran), Poirot’s devoted secretary, and most likely the only woman who would be up to the challenge of working for him. Miss Lemon’s sister, Florence Hubbard, is the caretaker of a hostel for college students on Hickory Road where specific and odd items begin vanishing from the students’ possessions. Items such as a stethoscope, a scarf, lightbulbs, a diamond ring, and strangely enough, one shoe which was simply misplaced and later recovered. Miss Lemon is beside herself with worry for her sister’s sake, and her concern becomes noticeable to Poirot when she begins making unheard of typographical errors where, had the circumstances been normal, the writing would have been perfection itself. Miss Lemon explains her palpable concern to her employer and Monsieur Poirot generously volunteers his services to Florence in an effort to ease the minds of all involved.

The announcement of Poirot’s arrival for a criminal mind lecture has the students in a dither, some excited, others apprehensive. That night, he is calmly ensconced as an honored and distinguished guest, politely responding to each introduction: Sally Finch, an American exchange student researching English Lit, Patricia Lane studying politics, Celia Austin majoring in chemistry, Colin McNaab a future psychologist, Nigel Chapman whose fascination is for medieval history, Leonard Bateson soon to be Dr. Bateson, and Valerie Hobhouse who intends to take the fashion world by storm. Colin swiftly latches onto Poirot’s true purpose for consenting to visit them, and Poirot finds himself being adeptly questioned by the young man and his colleagues. The evening passes rapidly with Poirot delicately querying the students concerning the pilfered goods. At the conclusion of his lecture Poirot departs, leaving the young people to discuss amongst themselves the consequences for whomever purloined the articles in question.

Young Celia Austin is a sweet girl with a secret; not a particularly deadly one, but important nonetheless. The very next morning, she and Colin cautiously avoid arousing suspicion and hurry to Poirot’s apartment, where Celia confesses her penchant for snatching items belonging to her fellow boarders. Colin’s support of her “condition,” which he is certain to be kleptomania, is rather touching, and even Poirot is softened by the young man’s affection. Celia is determined to return the belongings, and replace the ones she misplaced or discarded. However, she does not confess to all the stolen goods, particularly not to the lightbulbs, a jar of boracic powder, or a knapsack which was previously located, torn to shreds.

Something is horribly disturbing at Hickory Road, and that evening everything comes to a head. One of the students is discovered hideously dead or morphine poisoning. The urgency to uncover the one responsible for both thefts and now a horrifying murder has increased tenfold as has Poirot’s determination. Things are not as they seem, more than one individual is lying, and more people will be lost to the horror of death before this mystery’s end is in sight.

Of course, where you find murder, you will find violence, and Hickory Dickory Dock is no exception. One person dies of poisoning with desperate gasping sobs, another is stabbed directly through the heart, and yet another is murdered by a ruthless fiend who uses a sock carrying a paperweight. Blood isn’t seen too often, but the last victim is in a horrifying state, and all the victims stare forth blindly at the screen. A few extremely minor swear words find their way into the script, but I cannot imagine them upsetting any person’s sensibilities. Some drinking is involved, mostly by the owner of the hostel. Truly the only thing I found offensive with this particular Agatha Christie film was the mention of a bidet, used for washing certain areas of a gentleman’s anatomy. Though it was handled in a delicate manner (the true purpose is never distinctly mentioned), I truly wish it had been left out entirely. Not all is bad though, for there are a few humorous points to the movie, particularly when Poirot’s dear friend Chief Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson) comes to stay with him until Japp’s wife returns from holiday.

These few problems are not enough to condemn this film, which, though not my favorite Christie film, is truly fascinating. I particularly enjoy how you view some of the scenes from the perspective of a mouse, hence the title Hickory Dickory Dock. The beginning is slow moving, but about halfway through the pace quickens, and then events occur rapidly, enhancing the viewer’s excitement and thrill. The incidents that transpire, from the robberies to the murders, are manipulated by a person with no moral center and that very fact can unnerve and sicken people, as it did me. When a human being comprehends right from wrong, but simply does not care, it’s worthy of our concern. The conclusion gives you pause to contemplate your own life, and who or what is important to you, which means the storyline was a success in its own right. Although I prefer Death in the Clouds or Dumb Witness, I was enthralled despite myself so if you are prepared for a good mystery with some unnerving violence and a thrilling plot, then Hickory Dickory Dock is right for you.