Hercule Poirot is hired by a country squire called Marcus Waverley (played by Geoffrey Bateman) to help him prevent his young son, Johnnie (played by Dominic Rougier), from being kidnapped. The kidnappers had sent the Waverleys letters demanding large sums of money, but since they repeatedly refused to pay up, another was sent giving the exact date and time that the kidnapping will take place. Poirot takes Waverley to visit Chief Inspector Japp of the Yard, but fails to convince him that it is a threat to be taken seriously. So Poirot and Hastings accompany Waverley to his country estate, Waverley Court. That night his wife, Ada (played by Julia Chambers), is taken ill as a result of being poisoned. On the following morning an enraged Waverley fires all of his staff with the exception of his long standing butler, Treadwell (played by Patric Jordan), believing one of them to be responsible for the whole thing. Meanwhile, Japp has decided to take it seriously and has arrived with back up to protect the child and apprehend whoever is behind it. Poirot and Hastings go out in the latter's Lagonda sports car to enjoy a pub breakfast. But, on their way back the car breaks down and Poirot is forced to walk back to the house on foot. Sure enough, Johnnie is kidnapped and the perpetrators managed to evade the police by putting the clocks inside the house forward by ten minutes. Has Johnnie been kidnapped by a ruthless gang, or does the culprit(s) and the motive lie closer to home?
All in all, The Adventure Of Johnnie Waverley is another high quality adaptation of one of Agatha Christie's short stories. David Suchet was by now establishing himself as the quintessential Poirot, accurately capturing the character's eccentricities and mannerisms in his detailed performances. Here, we see that he is disappointed not to be getting the traditional full English breakfast whilst staying at Waverley Court. Then at the cozy English inn that he and Hastings visit, he orders everything from scrambled eggs and kidneys to sausages. He even allows Hastings to order him a pint of beer at breakfast, although he is surprised that one would drink it at that time of day! In later episodes though he would express a big dislike for the English cuisine - a full English, in particular. The acting is very good all round with Geoffrey Bateman as Marcus Waverley and Patric Jordan as the loyal family manservant Treadwell being particularly noteworthy. Hugh Fraser and Philip Jackson offer their usual dependable support, which complements Suchet's performance as they provide the vital chemistry as his loyal friends and associates. The dramatization is excellent, Renny Rye once again does a fine job as director and all other aspects of the production: lighting, sets and costumes are spot on.
All in all, The Adventure Of Johnnie Waverley is another high quality adaptation of one of Agatha Christie's short stories. David Suchet was by now establishing himself as the quintessential Poirot, accurately capturing the character's eccentricities and mannerisms in his detailed performances. Here, we see that he is disappointed not to be getting the traditional full English breakfast whilst staying at Waverley Court. Then at the cozy English inn that he and Hastings visit, he orders everything from scrambled eggs and kidneys to sausages. He even allows Hastings to order him a pint of beer at breakfast, although he is surprised that one would drink it at that time of day! In later episodes though he would express a big dislike for the English cuisine - a full English, in particular. The acting is very good all round with Geoffrey Bateman as Marcus Waverley and Patric Jordan as the loyal family manservant Treadwell being particularly noteworthy. Hugh Fraser and Philip Jackson offer their usual dependable support, which complements Suchet's performance as they provide the vital chemistry as his loyal friends and associates. The dramatization is excellent, Renny Rye once again does a fine job as director and all other aspects of the production: lighting, sets and costumes are spot on.