Truly Miss Marple, the Curious Case of Margaret Rutherford - True Story
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- Margaret Rutherford’s true life story is in fact much more eccentric than the most famous fictional role she ever played: Miss Jane Marple - Agatha Christie’s amateur sleuth. Rutherford’s version was the very first appearance of Miss Marple on the big screen and it was far removed though from the petite, upper middle-class lady in the detective novels. Rutherford’s Marple was the personification of an English spinster, a bumbling hobby snooper, a know-it-all with an imposing jaunty stature.
Margaret Rutherford made her grand stage debut at 33. But it was in the role of Miss Prism in Oscar Wilde’s camp social commentary “The Importance Of Being Earnest“ that Rutherford was taken seriously by the critics. Her first cinema success was in “Blithe Spirit“ in 1945, where she plays Madame Arcati, an eccentric medium. In 1963 she won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her role in “The V.I.P.s” - one of the best ever performances by Margaret Rutherford. In more than 40 films and over 100 stage plays, Margaret Rutherford’s magic lay in her incredible talent for perfect comic timing together with her completely idiosyncratic and unique looks. Today the Miss Marple films are constantly repeated on television worldwide seems to make clear that there is still a huge interest in this eccentric character actress.
Margaret Rutherford’s private life and family history is even more colourful, tragic and stranger than any filmwriter could possibly imagine. It is almost identical to an Agatha Christie crime novel with a murder, suicide, madness, changes of identity, dark hidden secrets and fraud.
The films follows clues and unearth new evidence in not only London but in Chalfont St. Peter, Denham and Amersham in Buckinghamshire - sleepy villages where there is plenty to hide. Interview partners are Andy Merriman, biographer, 95 year old Gwen Robyns, ghost-writer of Margaret’s autobiography (1972), Tony Benn, her cousin and left-wing Labour politician, actress and comedian June Whitfield, painter Michael Noakes, famous for his royal portraits and character actress and best friend, Damaris Hayman.
![CWC 4th Listening Session with Speaker Prof. Dr. Ilia Delio OSF [ENGLISH]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/w49_TcqaCeU/mqdefault.jpg)
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Dame Margaret Rutherford and Alistair Sim......2 of the finest ever to grace the big screen...may they both rest in peace.
She is my all time favorite Miss Marple. There’s a scene in “Murder at the Gallop” where she’s dancing the Twist and giving the young people in the scene a run for their money.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏💃
I love that scene and never get tired of watching those films. My favourite will always be "Murder, She Said"
Have always loved her playing Miss Marple. When reading the books Id picture her as Miss Marple. Luv the scene your talking about with her dancing. Great films 😄
She was magnificent 😊
My favourite Miss Marple of all time. ❤
Thank you for this excellent documentary. I love Miss Rutherford. Sad to learn that she had such a troubled life.
I loved this! Margaret Rutherford was a great actress, I so enjoyed Miss Marple! There’ll never be another like her!
I agree !! 👍
Absolutely, she was a wonderful talent.
Always loved Margaret Rutherford ever since I was a child, she was a true one off.
This is without a doubt one of the best documentaries I have watched in recent times and a fitting tribute to the dear lady.
A tale of tragedy, triumph, and sadness.....but what really shines through is her beautiful heart.
Definitely worth watching.
FABULOUS. Thank you for a wonderful memorial to one of Britain's great actors, sorely missed. God rest you Margaret and thank you for bringing so much joy and laughter to your appreciative audiences.
I loved this wonderful actress. Shame on anyone who took advantage of her. Thanks for posting this, it was an enjoyable hour.
Thank you, Margaret Rutherford, for your wonderful work. Very well done! A wonderful tribute, as well.
One of my favorite actresses. She had incredible charm. I grew up loving her Mrs. Marple movies. God bless her.
A Truly great lady up there with Alastair Sims,Will Hay,Alec Guinness,a real British treasure,never to be repeated!
Who’s Alastair Sims? Surely you mean Alastair Sim.
My son has Will Hay cds ,they are hilarious 😅
Wonderful documentary’
What a talent Margaret Rutherford was..a rare breed!
Love all of her films ❣️
Me too
I still think the theme to her Miss Marple films is one of the best, most uplifting pieces of music going. I love it! A wonderful actress who I'm so glad is preserved on film!
Ron Goodwins music
@@davidreid8075Absolutely. The man was a genius!
sassy
What a beautiful video on a very delightful Lady. Margaret Rutherford will forever be “Miss Marple”. What a story of tragedy and trauma even after her death. I live in The United States of America in the state of California and very much appreciate the sharing of this video on TH-cam but also the sharing of her multiple movies. It was done, in my opinion, with taste and honesty. Even though she had tragedy and trauma she was strong to live her best life. Thank you Margaret Rutherford ❤
To me this lovely,funny, wonderful lady was Miss Jane Marple and no one ever came close to her acting this part. I was only 6 when this lady died, but i have watched and watched and rewatched all that she was ever in.It's so sad to see that she went down hill so much and that someone took advantage of her wonderful nature. It is only a few years ago that i found out that she was actually married to Stringer Davis, but it is so lovely to see just how much they actually cared for each other. Thank you to all that contributed to this program, as it let a grown up wee girl see and understand what happened to her childhood heroine.
Yes, Margaret Rutherford was certainly unique and a remarkable person. I admire her for pursuing her dream to become an accomplished actor and empathy for her depressions.
I think she was great and besides that, a complete proper style when acting as Miss Marple. Besides that, I really do admire somebody who kept it all together after so many family issues. She was a winner.
Dame Margaret died when I was 6 years old. It wasn't long before my parents bought a TV. By the age of nine I was hooked on Miss Marple and Margaret Rutherford. Absolutely loved her bravado and performance. I still love her movies today. A great sleuth and eccentric actress, with an abundance of enthusiasm for her artistry. Thoroughly enjoyed these interviews and biography. Made me just like her even more. A sad beginning to her life, but what a winner! Thank you for upload. Amazing. ❤
A great piece of research ,I've been a fan of her films since childhood ,I've read a number of articles about her ,but none as in depth as this ,I didn't realise and appreciate what a strength and determination of character she must of had throughout her life especially considering the tragic childhood she experienced,such an amazing talented actress .
Thank you for this absolutely fascinating documentary. What a marvellous actress, still remembered and missed to this day.
I simply loved Margaret as Miss Marple!!! She was unique in that role!!! I would like to see movies of her!!!
She was an exceptional woman, wasn't she ? One of my favorite actresses of all time.
I’ve always loved Margaret Rutherford and thought her an outstanding talent. A very sad story about her parents.
I would watch anything with Margaret Rutherford in it . Blythe Spirit is one of my favourite all time films ❤
Her movies were shown on TV in the seventies behind the Iron curtain. Everyone got to love her immediately and indeed, she was the epitome of a British lady for us.
I`m so sorry Margaret suffered from depression during her life.
I just love her as Miss Marple.
What a wonderful lady she was and an immense talent. Even if she'd only acted in Blithe Spirit shed have been completely unforgettable.
I watched 'Blithe Spirit' last week and fell instantly in love with Margaret. Thank you for honoring her with this wonderful documentary!
Dame Margaret Rutherford filled a unique position in the British spectrum of performers. She is truly missed from their landscape. Her lovely soul shone through making us all warm to her. She was so enjoyable to watch no matter what age I was (pre-teen, young woman and now older blah) Anyhow, I'm a fan who misses her star.
My absolutely favourite actor. She passed just a few months before my mother, I was twenty years old. I will always love her Miss Marple. RIP to an amazing lady
Always a favorite actress of mine; I feel sorry for anyone who has never heard of Margaret Rutherford. Great biography, thank you!
What a well-crafted documentary on a true national treasure. Dame Margaret was irreplaceable.
Tense, MrDavey. The word is is.
Margret Rutherford and Joan Hickson are my two favorite actresses, particularly in the roll as Miss Marple. One for subtle humor and one for portraying a very believable well loved maiden aunt.
She's an inspiration overcoming a slew of adversities and then managing to carve out a successful career as an actress.
One of the true Greats of stage and film. What a beautiful tribute this film is. She did indeed have people's hearts. God bless her.
She brought her own compelling and affective manner to the iconic role of Miss Marple.
It stands on it's own merit.
Whenever I see Margaret Rutherford I see my late nan staring back at me, total doppelgangers. So much so that once a stranger was convinced my nan was in fact Margaret Rutherford and couldn't be persuaded otherwise so my nan gave the lady an autograph . Wonderful actress.
My absolute favourite comedy actress of all time. Rest in Peace Ms Rutherford.
Awesome documentary, but rather sad too. Very talented actress. Loved her.❤
Despite the adverts and some odd stylistic choices, that was a lovely documentary. I didn't know Damaris Hayman was a good friend to her (in her Doctor Who appearance she wears what is possibly one of Margaret's cloaks with the scarf attachment). The archive interview is so sweet. Margaret won my heart as a child seeing Murder At The Gallop, she had a vague resemblance to my Nan so it was like my Nan was Miss Marple. SO many great performances.
How wonderful! A great documentary on Margaret. Thank you so much. Love it. ❤
What a National Treasure. Great Doc. A story that should be told.
I just saw three of Dame Margaret Rutherford's films and was so curious about her. This documentary is fantastic. Thank you for posting it on TH-cam. Damaris Hayman called her charismatic. Yes. Unique. Yes. Underrated actress. Yes.
That telephone call interruption is gold 🤣👏🏻🙌🏻
I have utterly adored Margaret Rutherford since I was a small child. She was the masterful embodiment of delightfully communicative facial expressions and had immaculate timing. If I had a time machine I'd ask her to play the Doctor in Doctor Who - she'd be deliciously eccentric and otherworldly, as well as a captivating presence.
Oooooh! You are so right! I would also have liked a run with Tim Curry as the doctor.
Very well said, J M :)
Indeed! I'd also would have delighted to have seen Penelope Keith as an incarnation of the Doctor. Odd choice, perhaps, but consider her comic timing and ability to play total "posh arrogance" ... well, it would have been interesting!
I can see Ms Keith playing the venerable Doctor, Bubo - an interesting selection, indeed !! :D
@Gianmarco Sabato How so??? You're obsessed with her, trolling every Rutherford film available on yt yet you never give an actual reason. WTF is your problem???
The poor lady being treated with ECT!! No wonder she forgot the best parts of her life. She was such a legend.
What a lovely documentary this is! Thank you to all involved in the making of it and for up-loading it. Personally I really enjoyed the little bits with the clapperboards and the banners with the names of the interviewed persons. And what splendid persons the interviewees are! The subject comes across so marvellously that one just has to seek out a few more of her movies. An 'Oscar' awarded for acting talent, not influence or looks. Thank you again.
On a lighter note. My relative was a hairdresser on the ocean liners and told me that Miss Rutherford liked to have an egg used on her hair! I still really enjoy her films!
Discovered this wonderful actress later in my life. Clearly the gift of such talent will continue to delight and inspire generations that follow. That's an exceptional gift to leave this world
I looooove Margaret. If she’s in any movie or tv show, I stop and watch. What a sad situation about her parents. I never knew that until this show. Great show.
What a Lady. made my childhood much sweeter. Yes, she had to go through a bit in her life. love her. True Britishness. R.I.P.
I totally agree xx
I don't agree with the "Britishness" thing but I do believe Margaret epitomized true Englishness. R.I.P.
I'm just now discovering Margaret Rutherford and can't get enough of her! Mom was forever reading Agatha Christie so I don't know what took me so long.
You can sense she was a person of immense kindness, warmth and love. Everybody's favourite aunt xxxx
I have grown to admire this wonderful actress..comedy is just the ability to turn the face of sadness upside down.... and she did it beautifully.
The part where the interviewer asked them about living together as actors was interesting. It gave me goosebumps to listen to their answers, especially Margaret's, and to see the genuine connection between them is very special.
I saw her live on stage in London! What a treat. What amazed me was through the years I have met Arabic people, Spanish people who adored her as Mrs. Marple. How wonderful.
WHAT DID YOU PLAY OR PLAYS DID YOU SEE MARGARET IN? THANK YOU. :)
Isn't she just lovely🌹
When I was a child, I saw her performance in Blithe Spirit and was entranced! I had never seen a British actress --usually reserved, cool, articulate and formal -- come across as vital, quirky, and bursting with energy with disregard to "image" or perception (someone else's) limitation to what a character could be. What an inspiration.
Fascinating story. Always loved her performances, but this was all new to me. Thank you.
I've loved Margaret Rutherford, since I was a child, and love lasts a lifetime. I'm in constant search of her work, and take every opportunity to view her films. This was such a treat, and I love her even more. I always noticed she had Stringer Davis in all of her movies, and knowing they were married I knew she was the reason he was always there. God bless both of their sweet souls. May they rest in peace together.❤️
I adored them both, I watch the Miss Marple films she starred in over and over again... You can see her beauty shine through her eyes...Thank you so much for sharing this..
Margaret Rutherford's sad and difficult start in life reminds me of Marilyn Monroe's similarly painful circumstances in early life, and how both had, and still have, a natural way of charming us all and inspiring us to love them deeply. There's something magical about it.
"If she cut herself, she'd probably bleed tea"... spot on, Mr Merriman, provided you add a touch of milk.
Or even lemon!
She had my heart and she lifted me up..Lovly, lovely woman 🌈✨🌈
That was a wonderful story about this precious actress.
All my long life I have always loved any film Margaret Rutherford was in, bless her. She truly was a star.
Brilliant, really enjoyed this. You never know the personal torment people live through or how exploited they become through hangers on. That she was a kindly lady comes through well. Thank you for this upload.
Thanks for this! I grew up with Margaret Rutherford's movies as a child. It will be a pleasure to watch them again with a more adult appreciation of her art and life. She's a great lady and an unforgettable icon of a more civilized era.
The one and only Miss Marple ! What a wonderful way to celebrate her life , she will always live on in her films and in the heart's of all of us who loved her . God bless her 👍
This is a truly heartbreaking story but I don't understand how anyone could give this a thumbs down.
It's democracy in action. We have a choice.
Adding a like can mean lots of things. Liking the documentary or loving the actress or marking a post as seen.
@@seltaeb3302 yes!
There is a percentage of people who know it will upset kindly, normal people. It is the same person that tears legs off spiders for amusement, who sets out to upset someone just because they seem happy..
I have read that thumbs down actually help the video more than doing nothing. The more 'action' - good or bad, gets yt algorithms to offer the video to more people.
It is really something to ignore - not to worry about. Your distress is what these awful people hug to themselves, in glee. Ignoring it as totally unimportant is the best response
Don't worry now you can't see the thumbs down anymore because it is considered hate signal
P.s she is excellent in the 1945 Blithe Spirit film playing (Madame Arcarti) along with Rex Harrison. That is One to watch . A great favourite of mine.
Jonathon Bide totally agree
She was fabulous in that, and as the Duchess of Brighton in The VIPS with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
Jonathon Bide - thanks, I’ll watch.
Yes, Madame Arcarti in Blithe Spirit ... such a brilliant role in a great movie. Love Margaret
Loved her in that.
I've adored Margaret Rutherford since I was a child. She's was a gem of a character actress & her unique style & somewhat eccentric parts, epitomised something which is quintessentially British & truly wonderful. When I watch her delightful black & white movies I feel deeply sad for a time in British history that will never come back or be equalled.
But it was also a time of dark secrets, hidden abuse, and no recourse for victims.
I remember trying to describe Miss Rutherford to someone once I said she was an absolutely brilliant actress who would alway be the perfect Miss Marple. They asked me what she looked like because they thought maybe they've seen one of her movies. I said she is the ultimate English actress she looks like your favorite aunt ,a English Bulldog and a pile of tweed laundry.
😢the way her husband spoke of her, her view of success made me just fall in love with her. Always enjoyed her as an actress. She was such a beautiful person as well.
1st class documentary about a 1st class lady!! And you can't help but love her husband and fellow actor, Stringer, as well!
An absolutely solid documentary which really shows Margaret to be a true star and beautiful person. I loved the story about Taylor with her pink trailer and Margaret with her burner stove! Thanks @True Story!
As a child I adored MR. My mother met her once in a lift in a London hotel. Apparently she really was as she appeared. Thanks for sharing, i wish they'd show her films again :)
Elf Craft & Vinyl Swindon - watch on TH-cam on tv.
Bravo! That was as good a biography as one could get! Long Live The Memory Of Margaret Rutherford !
RIP June Whitfield who “passed away peacefully” at the age of 93 on 28th Dec 2018.
Robin Bockman 😯 ahhhh no way I did not know that , great comedy actress ♥️🌻
I loved her in Noel Cowards' Blythe Spirit, with Rex Harrison. She was truly the star of the film.
A lovely documentary I'd never seen before, I loved Margaret Rutherford, she was my all time favourite Miss Marple. I never knew about the last bits of her life though and the Oscar thing. Very interesting, and lovely to see Damaris Hayman again who I remembef from many TV and films when I was younger.
What a lovely story. I’m glad she and Stringer found one another. Seemed like lovely people. Bittersweet ending.
Thank you for uploading this!! Love Margaret Rutherford!!!
shelly priest I have always love Margaret Rutherford.
I remember loving the old St Trinians movies as a child and loving this actress ever since. RIP dear lady and June Whitfield too.
i enjoyed watching this. She has graced the TV's of New Zealand as well. Such an interesting lady.
this was the era of real actresses rather than celebrities and beauty pageants
@Vlodec This era of actor's were just mad, loveable eccentric characters. Today's actor's have to rely on drugs and clinics to have a half a personality that they had. I doubt very much Margaret had to get her parts from the casting couch.
@@maureen3621 Well said. She was so talented she didn't need the "casting couch" anyway.
Deputy: why all the apostrophes?
In my opinion the overall quality of acting has gone up exponentially over time and only keeps improving. Competition is fierce and acting has turned into it's own field of study. That's not even taking into account how much better the production and direction has gotten which is to an even higher degree in my opinion. Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, Natalie Portman, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron and Kate Blanchett are all modern day actresses that are head and shoulders above her. The remarkable thing is how good these women are in so many different roles as well.
'Africa', HEAR!,HEAR!.🙋👍👍
I remember back in the eighties I lived in Munich and before I got an apartment I stayed in a youth hostel, one night they were showing 4-50 from Paddington on the T.V the communal room was packed to bursting and the Germans were loving it.
Amazing woman and actor. I grew up watching B&W Ealing films and such (Pinewood etc). What a joy to see her on screen. A gem!!
Always loved Margaret Rutherford. Unique and gentle, and wonderful comic timing. Thanks for this upload
Gentle. That's the thing I sensed but couldn't put a word on.
Thank you just love Margaret Rutherford. My favourite was Blithe Spirit with Rex Harrison. It's interesting how so many comedic actors have sad private lives. Hilarious when the friend who was her understudy's phone rang mid filming of the interview and she picks it up and says 'oh bollocks '😂
She said, 'Oh, shut up.' And they left in her phone number. Some idiots involved in the making of this documentary.
Figaro Hey! I found it endearing and in the spirit of eccentricity us Brits so often love
Figaro Hey! Yes the phone number being so audible really disturbed me. Hope the lady hasn't experienced any problems as a result.
I loved her films as a kid and love them still(53) she definitely did have a way of lifting you, as she was so unique, enjoyable and fun to watch. ❤️❤️ she is one of the film greats
I think they must of had a beautiful relationship. They needed each other and they made each other better.
Born in 1892 meant she had that lovely Edwardian gentleness and sense of duty. I'm just about old enough to remember great aunts and other women from that era, and they all had that in common.
So true. Society and families are lost without it
She was truely marvellous.
She was totally HILARIOUS in 'The VIPs' as the dotty Duchess of Brighton. She's in her seat on the plane she calls out: "Conductress, kindly take my hat and put it in the hold!" Her delivery of all her funny lines had me in absolute stitches...she was the star of the show, competing as was with Elizabeth Taylor's breathtaking beauty. The film was really brilliant...track it down if you have not seen it. A young Maggie Smith is hopelessly in love with her boss, Rod Taylor...but I"ll never forget Margaret's brilliance!
You sold me. Lol! I'm going to look it up as soon as I'm done with this documentary.
Have you see the 'Runaway Bus' with Margarat Rutherford in the airport reception. So funny. Especially when the Airport helpful staff make the mistake of addressing her as 'Madam. To which Margarat Rutherford replies. "And don't call me Madam! Miss! Do I look like a Madam? Lol. Seems to always make me laugh.
Vernon Buxton I always love when the vips comes on purely because I love Margaret Rutherford.
I've not seen it. Def gonna look this up❤💛💚🕉
Margaret Rutherford (along with Maggie Smith and Rod Taylor) is the only good thing about the V.I.P.s. The rest is a soapy mess unless you like the Taylor/Burton melodrama. When I saw it again a few years ago, I fast forwarded it past the Burtons.
A charming, quirky film. One factual mistake: Mathew Pritchard is Agatha Christie's grandson, not nephew.
What a wonderful description, “She’s so English, if she cut herself she’d bleed tea”!
John Lightfoot 😆 yes I loved that
This misses out a role unlike any other. During the war she played the part of Mrs Danvers, the terrifying housekeeper in Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca. Very far from her usual dotty characters, and a role beautifully played in the later film with Laurence Olivier by the Australian Dame Judith Anderson.
I can't help it, but the thought of someone killing someone else with a chamber pot is such an example of real life black humour that it should be in a Miss Marple movie and not in real life ......
I always loved Margaret Rutherford, especially in all the Miss Marble series. She was truly a fabulous actress and I so loved this video showing what a wonderful and loving person she was. Thank you for this.
1. Miss Marple. 2. Geraldine McEwan IS miss Marple followed by Julie McKenzie and Angela Lansbury then Hickory
There is something almost ethereal about "Blithe Spirit" & not in a sinister or pernicious way.
I remember watching it as a kid in the 70's on a beautiful summers evening & the whole feel of the film conjured up that sense you get on a still English mid summer's night when, if there is a full moon, it never really gets dark even in the wee hours & you are bathed in this sort of "day night."
Very hard to quantify or explain but if you know it you will get it. It sort of echoes the film's mood in that, both in an actual & spiritual sense there is no "darkness" in it.