Maigret (TV Series) Maigret's Little Joke (1963) User Reviews

Maigret's Little Joke

[Prismark10 · 7/10 · 14 May 2023]

The final episode of the BBC series of Maigret. It follows on from the previous episode. Torrance's killer is sentenced to execution. Maigret has his arm in a sling after getting shot.

The Maigret's are off on holiday, a little fishing trip and the new promoted Inspector Lucas will be minding the police station.

When the naked body of the wife of Dr Javet is found in her apartment. Lucas investigates. The Javerts were meant to be holidaying in Nice, so her sudden return to Paris is puzzling.

Suspicion falls on Dr Negrel who worked at the practice and might have been having an affair with Mrs Javert.

Maigret meanwhile becomes involved, a young lady contacts him. Even before then he could not help sending anonymous notes to Lucas.

It soon becomes clear that Dr Javert is the main suspect but he has a good alibi and he set up Negrel.

It is up to Lucas to shred the doctor's story but he too has his own share of loyal lovers.

An enjoyable story, just enough of a stench of sleazy goings on that was popular in Simenon's works. Some

The series bows out with a little more location shooting in Paris. Also a change in the order of things, Lucas promoted and maybe Maigret getting on a bit.

A fitting final episode

[Tony-Holmes · 10/10 · 8 January 2023]

Saw this on the UK Talking Pictures channel, who are showing all 4 series of Maigret, originally early 60s BBC. We're in the 4th series now, and the quality has generally improved, this one no exception.

The final episode of all, ending the 4th series, and it was a fitting, excellent show. Following on from the previous episode, which saw Torrance murdered, and Maigret shot, this one referred to the murderer's execution, AND the (much-delayed?!) promotion of trusty assistant Lucas to Inspector (though Maigret & his wife both referred to him as Sergeant, after all those years!).

Maigret was sporting a sling, as he was supposed to be on sick leave, & his wife was looking forward, at last, to a holiday when they wouldn't be disturbed by a case! However, he did manage to get involved, having seen this last murder (of a doctor's wife) splashed in the papers, and the Bistro owner (nearest the HQ) referring to the possible suspects.

He also got accosted by the fiancee of one of the possible suspects, and he therefore does a couple of surreptitious interviews, though trying to stay out of Lucas' way, as it is officially the new Inspector's responsibility. Mrs Maigret is keeping a sharp eye on any signs of the Chief getting involved, so he resorts to sending Lucas a couple of anonymous notes (the 'joke' of the title!), posing a pointed question, and the info that a key witness (a concierge) is actually almost blind!

The episode features (as usual in this 4th series) more location film than had previously been the case, and Lucas even gets a trip to Cannes (the Doctor & his wife kept a holiday villa there). It soon becomes apparent that most of the key characters haven't been telling the whole truth, with some extra-marital affairs to unravel, and the murderer is discovered to have been at the murder scene when claiming an alibi somewhere else!

Solid support from the cast (well-known faces Ann Way, who was in masses of TV, and tons of stage work, Barry Letts, Stephanie Bidmead and Michael Goodliffe, amongst others), and a nice joke at the end, when Lucas shows that he'd known all along who had been sending the helpful anonymous notes! Barry Letts may be known by some viewers as having been a key figure in the Doctor Who series, producing and directing, also introducing some much-loved characters.

This series brought back fond memories of the originals, back in the early 60s, it'll now leave a little gap in our viewing week.

Light-hearted end to the series

[lucyrfisher · 10/10 · 7 April 2024]

Though the cast are mourning Torrence, who was such a vivid member of the team in this series. Janvier has joined from the Vice Squad, though we don't meet him.

Maigret, shot in the shoulder in the previous episode, finds it hard to fill his days. But there's a good mystery in the papers - a doctor's wife, thought to be in St Tropez, turns up naked in her flat. (In the book she's in a cupboard?) Her husband dodges between Nice and two rather plain mistresses, while letting his wife go her own way. But she has the money...

Maigret is contacted by the fiancee of the doctor's assistant - she's also rather plain but characterful. He can't intervene, but sends helpful notes to Lucas, who is in control of the case.

The episode ends with the Maigrets embracing - they're off to Concarneau. But I wish they'd made more eps.