Mystery! a Mind to Murder

By TONY SCOTT

Mystery! A MIND TO MURDER (Thurs. (9), 9-11 p.m., PBS)
 
Cast: Roy Marsden, Mairead Carty, Sean Scanlan , Robert Pugh, Peter Tuddenham, Donald Douglas, Cal Macaninch, Ann-Gisel Glass, Frank Finlay, Sian Thomas, Christopher Ravenscroft, Jerome Flynn, Biddy Hodson, Craig Edwards, Suzanne Burden, George Costigan, Suzannah Corbet, Jerome Willis, Juliet Prew, Peter Whitebread, Robert East, David Hemmings, Sheila Mitchell. Host: Diana Rigg. P.D. James' 1963 murder mystery summons up Roy Marsden's Cmdr. Dalgliesh for the ninth go, this timein a story about sudden death in an exclusive mental clinic in Suffolk. While some of the dialog's mush-mush, the puzzle's apt enough. It's contemporary, but the form's 1930s, complete with a gathering of suspects who each seem to have a motive, and Dalgliesh trying to pick the killer from the crowd. As in all James' work, the characters are terrif even though in this one the plotting's humdrum.
 

The unpopular administrator of the clinic is found in the basement with a chisel in her heart. The government has its own pressing reasons for pushing in Scotland Yard, Dalgliesh and his crew over local authorities.

TX: TX:Filmed at Bawdsey Manor, Suffolk, at Ipswich and in London by Anglia TV Entertainment, WGBH/Boston and Cipango. Exec producer, Chris Pye; producer, Hilary Bevan Jones; director, Gareth Davies; adapter, uncredited; based on novel by P.D. James; Marsden displays control and confidence in the face of political pressure -- the clinic harbors high-up personnel.

Moreover, story opens with Dalgliesh observing the death of one his subordinates, and with the possibility there's a tie-in with what's happened at the clinic. There are ample possible murderers, and some peculiar types darting around the clinic's old halls and grounds. A depressed Casey (Sean Scanlan), the wild-eyed Tippett (Cal Macaninch) accompanied by an imaginary "Frank," his good friend Estelle (Ann-Gisel Glass), and downright odd Mr. Cheesom (George Costigan) all add to the flavor.

Pair of doctors, Saxon (Sian Thomas) and married Baguley (Christopher Ravenscroft), have a secret alliance, and the porter, Nagle (Jerome Flynn), would seem to be too friendly with receptionist Priddy (Biddy Hodson). Nurse Ambrose (Suzanne Burden) turns out to be the deceased's heir, and Professor Etheridge (Frank Finlay) oozes suavity as the clinic's director.

More deaths tumble into the storyline, and David Hemmings turns up briefly as a government official. Director Gareth Davies goes to great pains to preserve individualism among the characters, who all have their motives tucked away somewhere. Denouement works OK, with Dalgliesh turning physical to chase the killer into a dangerous swamp (Marsden broke his arm during the pursuit).

Production looks good, and tech credits are excellent. Not a major "Mystery!" entry, it's still a puzzle, and it's traditional. There's motive, opportunity and an abundance of would-bes; tradition can be wearying, but it can also be reassuring.

Camera, Bill Broomfield; editor, Colin Goudie; art director, Sandie Shepherd; sound, Peter Edwards; music, Richard Harvey, Paul Pritchard; production designer, Spencer Chapman; casting, Jane Davies.