Mystery! Rumpole of the Bailey: Rumpole at Sea

Host: Diana Rigg.

Cast: Leo McKern, Marion Mathie, Robin Bailey, Benjamin Whitrow, Anna Sharkey , Julian Holloway, Lorelei King, Josephine Blake, Ted Taylor, David Quilter, Alkis Kritikos, Ramsey Gilderdale.

Sixth series of stories featuring grouchy, rumpled London barrister Horace Rumpole shows him in peak form; team of writer John Mortimer and actor Leo McKern can doubtless continue these thoughtful — and very funny — mysteries as long as they care to.

Story launching current series finds Rumpole and spouse (Marion Mathie) at sea, on an Adriatic second-honeymoon cruise. A fellow passenger disappears; Rumpole is called upon to discover whodunit, if “it” was done at all.

Ship’s passengers include cleric (Benjamin Whitrow), mystery writer (Julian Holloway) and Rumpole’s current nemesis, Judge Graves (Robin Bailey). Any could be up to something (it’s the cleric’s wife who has vanished), and the solution, while clever, supports the theory that the inherent charm of “Rumpole” stories is in characterization rather than sleuthing.

Popular on Variety

Writing is excellent, with Mortimer having particular fun with always-suspicious mystery writer; “Don’t you think he dances rather too well for a vicar?” he asks Rumpole at one point. And, as usual, weary love between the Rumpoles gives an edge to its comfort: He’s always complaining about her, but they’re clearly well-suited to one another.

Episode benefits from watery location; tech credits seem par for British videotaped drama.

“Rumpole” episodes are seen in the U.S. under aegis of WGBH, Boston, which appends intro and outro to series under “Mystery!” banner, with Diana Rigg charmingly telling stories to expand episodes to one-hour running time.

Actual episode runs only 47 minutes, allowing a good three to four minutes for Rigg’s show-closing anecdote concerning a long-ago buccaneer — apparently the closest thing to a nautical story that her writers could come up with.

Jump to Comments