And Then There Were None (1945)

Eight people are invited for the weekend to an island mansion. Including two servants, the ten guests discover the mystery host has ulterior motives, and the ten proverbial Indians are killed off one at a time.

Based on Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Indians, not the novel but her play adaptation. Interestingly, when she first tried to publish the book in the US, publishers insisted she change the title. Apparently the original title was too racist, even for 1940’s America. Go figure.

Essentially an Old Dark House mystery, the viewer is sent off in many directions, and everyone has their suspicions. Many great character actors are here but I want to point out Roland Young. He didn’t make an amazing number of films, but is always memorable when we cross paths. Also Judith Anderson who appeared in even fewer films, but some really good ones. I most remember her as the creepy Mrs. Danvers in Hitch’s Rebecca. Her big scene was the best thing about that movie, by far. And I must mention Angelica’s grandpa.

As mentioned, two of the ten guests were hired as servants. That was just a ruse to get them into the house, but they continued to function as servants, even after the killings began. I suppose British class structure is more rigid than I thought.

And Then There Were None is a better than fair mystery. Sure, details are kept from the audience to make it work but nothing felt deceitful. It was fun and amusing, and my mom would have loved it. AMRU 4. A slightly better copy would have been nice.