The Bastard: The Kent Family Chronicles (1966)

Synopsis: Having met with cinematic success with Agatha Christie's Miss Marple as played by Margaret Rutherford, MGM turned to another of Christie's detectives, Hercule Poirot, here incarnated in the unlikely personage of Tony Randall. The film's an unfortunate mess, which is doubly sad since talented satirist director Frank Tashlin should be capable of getting a handle on the whole affair. Poirot stalks a killer who is bumping off victims in alphabetical order.

Rutherford makes a guest appearance, but even that fails to enliven the proceedings. Poirot would be better served by Albert Finney and Peter Ustinov a decade later, but Anita Ekberg fans should note that the buxom blonde is reunited here with her Hollywood or Bust director.

Cast: Andrew Stevens, Kim Cattrall
Runtime: 180 min