And does anyone have any thoughts about the A&E adaptation of this case?
I have my DVDs now, so I rewatched this one. I loved it! I think it's a sharp, clear adaptation, with lots of great little character moments.
First off, may I say that this show has the ABSOLUTE BEST NECKTIES. I could rewatch episodes for the neckties alone!
I love Archie's ongoing wariness of Perritt. His quick and protective pulling of his gun in the front room is great. He also does a lot of enjoyable wordless-amusement in this episode; his reaction shots are always a joy.
Wolfe using Archie's cover name cracks me up. "Four feet across, Harold," he says sweetly across the table.
They did a good job with the dying-word clue, I think it was just ambiguous enough, and very effortful. I think that's a hard task, when moving from page to screen! It's like when a character is disguised as someone else--easy to say on paper, but can be very hard to actually pull off.
Rowcliffe is hilariously uncomfortable at having to talk to Wolfe in Wolfe's bedroom, with Wolfe resplendent in pajamas and robe. Hee!
Wolfe and Fritz going completely nuts over the giant box of meat is great. I mean, their eyes are practically spinning around in their heads. I understand; I get that way with lamb chops, and I'm not even in a Great Meat Shortage. :D
The one thing I'd change is Perrit's line reading on the bit Archie refers to as the "voice of a killer". I like Perrit's performance in general, he has a very matter-of-fact authority that clearly won't brook interference. He seems to be a believable mob boss without cliche flourishes. But that line I think needed to be more distinctive, different and chilling--like, I would have suggested quiet and slow, maybe let his eyes go blank. Something that would make sense as especially frightening to Archie, more and differently than Perrit's usual brusque ordering voice has so far.
no subject
I have my DVDs now, so I rewatched this one. I loved it! I think it's a sharp, clear adaptation, with lots of great little character moments.
First off, may I say that this show has the ABSOLUTE BEST NECKTIES. I could rewatch episodes for the neckties alone!
I love Archie's ongoing wariness of Perritt. His quick and protective pulling of his gun in the front room is great. He also does a lot of enjoyable wordless-amusement in this episode; his reaction shots are always a joy.
Wolfe using Archie's cover name cracks me up. "Four feet across, Harold," he says sweetly across the table.
They did a good job with the dying-word clue, I think it was just ambiguous enough, and very effortful. I think that's a hard task, when moving from page to screen! It's like when a character is disguised as someone else--easy to say on paper, but can be very hard to actually pull off.
Rowcliffe is hilariously uncomfortable at having to talk to Wolfe in Wolfe's bedroom, with Wolfe resplendent in pajamas and robe. Hee!
Wolfe and Fritz going completely nuts over the giant box of meat is great. I mean, their eyes are practically spinning around in their heads. I understand; I get that way with lamb chops, and I'm not even in a Great Meat Shortage. :D
The one thing I'd change is Perrit's line reading on the bit Archie refers to as the "voice of a killer". I like Perrit's performance in general, he has a very matter-of-fact authority that clearly won't brook interference. He seems to be a believable mob boss without cliche flourishes. But that line I think needed to be more distinctive, different and chilling--like, I would have suggested quiet and slow, maybe let his eyes go blank. Something that would make sense as especially frightening to Archie, more and differently than Perrit's usual brusque ordering voice has so far.
Anyway, this adaptation is highly recommended!