Margaret Rutherford was, as far as I know, the first to play Miss Marple in the movies, but I understand that Agatha Christie thought she was a poor choice. This was not the way she had envisioned Miss Marple at all. Both Joan Hickson and Geraldine McEwan are much closer to the original idea of the little lady who observed quietly, asked an occasional question, and didn't miss a thing. Between the two of them, I consider it a toss-up. They're both excellent.

As far as Joan Hickson not bringing out Miss Marple's formidable intellect is concerned, I can't agree. When someone said something to her and she responded with her characteristic, "Oh, do you really thinks so?" you could hear the 60-cycle hum from her brain loud and clear.

I think Geraldine McEwan is great, too, but the last thing I saw her in was the Mapp and Lucia series, and I can't that out of my head when I'm watching Miss Marple.

Don Firth