Versatile actor and writer best known as Wexford in the TV detective stories
Of all the television detectives of recent years, George Baker's Inspector Wexford, with his mature West Country burr, slight air of fallibility and occasional stubbornness, was the one who seemed to spring from real life rather than an author's fancy. Sometimes ponderous, sometimes wrong, always homely, Baker's Wexford had his affable ex-constable's feet firmly on the ground. The character had a solid, believable family life. The actor, also a family man, had a hand in some of the adaptations that went under the title of the Ruth Rendell Mysteries. Whatever the combination of factors, it gave Baker, who has died aged 80 of pneumonia, his greatest success.
Not that fame was unfamiliar to the actor, whose career had got off to such a promising start back in the 1950s. The British cinema spotted his handsome features almost...
Of all the television detectives of recent years, George Baker's Inspector Wexford, with his mature West Country burr, slight air of fallibility and occasional stubbornness, was the one who seemed to spring from real life rather than an author's fancy. Sometimes ponderous, sometimes wrong, always homely, Baker's Wexford had his affable ex-constable's feet firmly on the ground. The character had a solid, believable family life. The actor, also a family man, had a hand in some of the adaptations that went under the title of the Ruth Rendell Mysteries. Whatever the combination of factors, it gave Baker, who has died aged 80 of pneumonia, his greatest success.
Not that fame was unfamiliar to the actor, whose career had got off to such a promising start back in the 1950s. The British cinema spotted his handsome features almost...
- 10/9/2011
- The Guardian - Film News
In July of 2009, A&E released the Hercule Poirot and Jane Marple DVD set that included all of those included in this new Great Detectives Anthology. The difference between this set and that 2009 release is the addition of 5 Sherlock Holmes mysteries (featuring Peter Cushing), the omission of 7 Poirot mysteries one Marple mystery. Exactly why this change in the old set was made is hard to say, but the set definitely benefits from the addition of Sherlock Holmes to the mix, it immediately makes the set more palatable to a wider audience who may not have foreknowledge of the two comparatively lesser known detectives who headlined the first set.
The Sherlock Holmes mysteries included in the set are “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, “A Study in Scarlet”, “The Boscombe Valley Mystery”, “The Sign of Four” and “The Blue Carbuncle”.
Just like with the original Poirot & Marple set, they’re oddly out of order,...
The Sherlock Holmes mysteries included in the set are “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, “A Study in Scarlet”, “The Boscombe Valley Mystery”, “The Sign of Four” and “The Blue Carbuncle”.
Just like with the original Poirot & Marple set, they’re oddly out of order,...
- 10/25/2010
- by Lex Walker
- JustPressPlay.net
London -- ITV has commissioned eight new Agatha Christie films, among them a remake of "Murder on the Orient Express," as part of a renewed output deal with British producer Chorion, which owns rights to the Christie estate.
The eight movies will include four starring David Suchet as legendary Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and four to star "Cranford" actress Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple.
ITV has enjoyed success with a series of Christie remakes from Chorion including "At Bertram's Hotel," which also aired on PBS in the U.S. The shows will be executive produced by Chorion's Phil Clymer.
ITV director of drama Laura Mackie said the franchises have "enduring" appeal for viewers. "There is always an appetite for a really good whodunit," she said. "And these really are the best whodunits on television."...
The eight movies will include four starring David Suchet as legendary Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and four to star "Cranford" actress Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple.
ITV has enjoyed success with a series of Christie remakes from Chorion including "At Bertram's Hotel," which also aired on PBS in the U.S. The shows will be executive produced by Chorion's Phil Clymer.
ITV director of drama Laura Mackie said the franchises have "enduring" appeal for viewers. "There is always an appetite for a really good whodunit," she said. "And these really are the best whodunits on television."...
- 10/30/2008
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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