T.R. Bowen Movies

The first of several British TV adaptations of Ann Perry's "Inspector Pitt" mystery novels, The Cater Street Hangman stars Eoin McCarthy as Thomas Pitt, an extremely class-conscious police detective working London in 1881. The case at hand involves the brutal and bizarre murders of several young girls who have recently visited the vicarage in a well-to-do neighborhood. Much to his surprise (and secret delight), Inspector Pitt is aided in his investigation by Charlotte Ellison (Keeley Hawes), an independent, free-thinking young aristocrat who has obviously set her stylish cap for the humble lawman. Fans of Perry's original novel should be advised that the ending has been changed, eliminating all hints of what once was known as "the love that dare not speak its name." In the United States, The Cater Street Hangman was broadcast by cable's A&E network on December 19, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Rag Nymph is a 1997 UK television miniseries directed by David Wheatley and adapted from the popular novel by Catherine Cookson. In 19th century urban England, young orphan Millie Forester (played by Perdita Weeks) lives on the streets by herself. Her prostitute mother commited suicide and a pimp wants to recruit her for a job at a brothel. Luckily she is saved by Aggie Winkovski (Val McLane), a bag lady who makes a living by selling junk and rags. Aggie has also taken in teenaged Ben (Alec Newman), who develops a special friendship with the young adult Millie (played by Honeysuckle Weeks). ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Part of the long-running British mystery series Sherlock Holmes starring Jeremy Brett, "The Dying Detective" originally aired in the U.K. in 1994 during the seventh season. In this episode, a scientist studying disease is accused of posing a threat to a married couple. Adelaide Savage (Susannah Harker) is convinced that her cousin Culverton Smith (Jonathan Hyde) is putting her family in jeopardy. When her husband, Victor Savage (Hugh Bonneville), does turn up dead, it appears that he had the same type of disease that Culverton was studying. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

The final installment of the British mystery series based on the books by Agatha Christie, Miss Marple: The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side first aired in 1992. Miss Jane Marple (Joan Hickson) investigates the poisoning death of a party guest at the home of film actress Marina Gregg (Claire Bloom). This story had been filmed once before in 1980 with Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple and Elizabeth Taylor as Marina. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

There is certainly nothing wrong with this remake of the Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing mystery of 1939. The question, however, is why one would want to substitute others when the original was so superlative. Jeremy Brett, however, does a fine job as Sherlock Holms as he investigates strange happenings at the Baskerville Hall--all of which seem to prove that the family is being haunted by the ghost of a dog. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide

Originally broadcast on British television in 1986, the series The Return of Sherlock Holmes is directed by filmmaker John Madden and stars Jeremy Brett as the titular detective. In this adventure, "The Priory School," Holmes discovers a missing teacher while investigating the kidnapping of Lord Arthur Saltire (Nissar Moti), the son of the Duke of Holdernesse (Alan Howard). ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

The first installment of the British mystery series based on the books by Agatha Christie, Miss Marple: The Body in the Library was first aired in 1984. In the village of St. Mary Mead, Miss Jane Marple (Joan Hickson) investigates the home of Colonel Arthur (Moray Watson) and Mrs. Dolly Bantry (Gwen Watford). The couple was shocked to discover the body of a dead girl wearing makeup and an evening gown in the library of their country manor, Gossington Hall. As soon as the police can identify her, another mysterious dead body is discovered. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide