One of the most famous actresses in Germany who portrayed amateur detective Miss Marple is actress Margaret Rutherford. Her representation of Miss Marple does not necessarily correspond to that of the readers of Agatha Christie’s books. Contrary to the original novel, the Miss Marple of slender and tall stature, who raises a sallow and gives a frail impression, Margaret Rutherford was of small, well-built physique.

The literary Miss Marple would probably never ride a horse, fence or participate in a golf tournament or a shooting competition with handguns. Margaret Rutherford gave the figure of the amateur detective a quite comedic train, which was not foreseen by Agatha Christie, which made the character of Miss Marple likable even to people who have not read any of the novels about her yet.

For the reasons already mentioned and other reasons, Agatha Christie was impressed by the films with Margaret Rutherford. This included the fact that Miss Marple is accompanied by the librarian Mr. Stringer (played by Stringer Davis). The character of Mr. Stringer did not appear in the literary text, however, but since Davis was Rutherford's husband and she insisted that her husband play in the movies, the role of Mr. Stringer was added to the story for him.

Although Agatha Christie’s Miss Mapple did not have the same built as Margaret Rutherford, Rutherford played Miss Marple in four films. The following movies were released between 1961 and 1964: Murder She Said, Murder at the Gallop, Murder Most Foul and Murder Ahoy directed by George Pollock.

However, only Murder She Said is based on a Miss Marple novel. Murder at the Gallop and Murder Most Foul are based on stories in which the Belgian private detective Hercule Poirot conducts the investigation and Murder Ahoy is based only on subjects of the Queen of Crime. Moreover, the Miss Marple depicted by Margaret Rutherford does not live in St Mary Mead, County Downshire, but in the village Milchester.

Agatha Christie change her opinion during the four movies after realizing how popular her heroine Miss Marple had become thanks to Rutherford's representation. She dedicated Margaret Rutherford the novel The Mirror Crack'd. The book was made ??into a film in 1980, and since the action takes place in Filmmillieu, a series of high-profile stars could be employed. Miss Marple was portrayed by actress Angela Lansbury in the well-known television series Murder, She Wrote. Tony Curtis, Rock Hudson, Kim Novak, Geraldine Chaplin and Elizabeth Taylor guest starred in the Guy Hamilton production.

From 1984 to 1992, the BBC produced a twelve-part series under the title of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, in which Joan Hickson played the role of Miss Marple. The series was filmed in Norfolk, Devon and near Oxford. As the setting for St Mary Mead, the village where Miss Marple lives, serves the city of Nether Wallop in Hampshire. The press and the critics of the film adaptations of the 12 novels in which Miss Marple investigates were just as excited as the audience.

The local conditions were portrayed just as lovingly and in detail as houses, cars, decorations, fashion, makeup and hairstyles. Not only were the visual amenities of the series praised by everyone, but the writers and the director had kept the presentation of Agatha Christie's books very close to the literary text.

Incidentally, Joan Hickson played in the film version of Murder She Said from 1961 a small supporting role in which she is the maid Mrs. Kidder. We should also mention that Joan Hickson was already Agatha Christie’s favourite for the role of Miss Marple in 1964. The author saw Joan Hickson in the play Death Waits earlier that year and wrote her a letter in which she told the actress that she hoped that one day Joan Hickson would play her beloved Miss Marple.

The actress Helen Hayes (known from big movies like Airport and Herbie Rides Again) was the next one to portray the amateur detective Miss Marple in the film adaptations of Fata Morgana and A Caribbean Mystery.

Since 2004, the British ITV (Independent Television) has been producing the television series Agatha Christie's Marple, in which Geraldine McEwan played the role of Miss Marple. After she retired, the role was taken over by the younger Julia McKenzie played.

Among viewers, Agatha Christie's Marple became quite popular, and one could not notice looking at the fan base that the series was limited at the factory original. Thus, plots or motives were changed in the series, Miss Marple's former love life was completely cut and in one film the identity of the murderer was changed. Moreover, the series also used books that weren’t even about Miss Marple.

Among the fans of amateur detective Miss Marple, the portrayal of Joan Hickson is considered the best, as this series meets Agatha Christie’s, the Queen of Crime, written specifications best.

Miss Marple Novels by Agatha Christie

The Murder at the Vicarage

The Body in the Library

The Moving Finger

A Murder is Announced

They Do It with Mirrors, or Murder with Mirrors

A Pocket Full of Rye

4.50 from Paddington, or What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw!

The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side, or The Mirror Crack'd

A Caribbean Mystery

At Bertram's Hotel)

Nemesis

Sleeping Murder