The Mirror Crack'd (1980)

The Mirror Crack'd - 1980

Our next film is 1980's murder mystery "The Mirror Crack'd", a story about feuding movie stars and murder set in the English countryside.

The film's cast includes Angela Lansbury, Geraldine Chaplin, Tony Curtis, Edward Fox, Rock Hudson, Kim Novak, Elizabeth Taylor, Marcella Oppenheim, and Pierce Brosnan.

Film star Marina Gregg is making a return to acting after a long period of "illness" (which is later explained to have been a nervous breakdown after past traumatic events).  She comes to the village of St. Mary Mead in England.

A reception is being held at Gossington Hall in order for the members of the community of St. Mary Mead to meet the cast, including a longtime rival of Marina's, Lola Brewster.  The film is a costume drama and centers on the rivalry of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Queen Elizabeth I.

When Marina and Lola come face to face, the animosity that has built up over many years is on full display.  The two can barely tolerate each other and trade pointed barbs at each other's expense.  "Lola, dear, you know there are really only two things I dislike about you," says Marina.  "Really?  What are they?" asks Lola.  With a deadpan expression in those violet eyes, Marina replies, "Your face."

Tragedy strikes the party, however, when a cocktail meant for Marina is given to another party goer, who promptly dies after drinking it.  As the intended victim, Marina is driven into a frenzy.

Inspector Delbert Craddock is put in charge of investigating the murder.  He's aided by his aunt, Miss Jane Marple, from whose notice nothing escapes.  "Gossip?" she asks.  "I prefer to call it a healthy interest in human nature," she says with a smile.

Everyone is questioned in connection with the murder.  Among the first is Marina's assistant Ella, who has a serious crush on Marina's husband.

Also questioned are Lola Brewster and her husband, the film producer Marty Fenn.  Lola's hatred of Marina is more than enough motive for her to have committed the murder.

And there's also Marina's husband, Jason Rudd, who plays the part of the devoted husband very convincingly.

Inspector Craddock and Miss Marple discuss the case at length, posing various possibilities and scenarios to one another.  Miss Marple is always anxious to hear the latest developments from her nephew.

Things aren't going well on the movie set, either.  Marina and Lola are still at each other's throats, and caught in the middle is Marina's husband Jason.  "I could eat a can of Kodak and puke a better movie," says Lola.

And Marina's life is still in danger.  She discovers a poisoned cup of coffee offered to her on the movie set, and a number of death threats that have been made up of newspaper clippings have also been sent to her.

Miss Marple must work quickly to get to the truth of the murder and the reason for the attempts on Marina's life.  Can she do it before death strikes again?

Cast rundown:

   Angela Lansbury..........................Jane Marple

   Geraldine Chaplin........................Ella Zielinsky

   Tony Curtis.................................Martin N. Fenn

   Edward Fox.................................Inspector Delbert Craddock

   Rock Hudson...............................Jason Rudd

   Kim Novak..................................Lola Brewster

   Elizabeth Taylor...........................Marina Gregg

   Marcella Oppenheim.....................Margot Bence

   Pierce Brosnan............................Actor Playing Jamie

And that's all for The Mirror Crack'd.  It's a film that gives viewers the first opportunity to see Angela Lansbury in the type of role for which she would become most famous, the super sleuth of Cabot Cove Jessica Fletcher from TV's "Murder, She Wrote".  Lansbury said that she enjoyed playing the role of Miss Marple very much, but she felt that the movie was dreadful.  The film didn't do well at all at the box office.  In fact, Lansbury had originally signed a 3-movie contract centering on Miss Marple.  The other two were never made.

One of the most amusing things in this film is the relationship between Marina Gregg and Lola Brewster.  I love the sharp comments the two trade.  "What are you supposed to be, a birthday cake?" asks Marina.  "Too bad everybody's had a piece," she says dryly.  Not to be outdone, Lola says, "Chin up, darling...both of them."

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