Poirot (TV Series)

The Affair at the Victory Ball (1991)

Hugh Fraser: Captain Hastings

Photos 

Quotes 

• Captain Hastings : [dressed as the Scarlet Pimpernel]  I still don't think they'll let you in; I thought I made it clear the Victory Ball is a costume do.

  Hercule Poirot : Hercule Poirot does not wear costumes.

  Captain Hastings : Everybody does. The whole idea is to go as someone famous.

  Hercule Poirot : Precisely.

  Captain Hastings : Oh. I see.

• [last lines] 

  James Ackerley : I'm honoured that you took up my invitation. I'm sure it was a most enlightening experience for our listeners.

  Hercule Poirot : Thank you.

  Receptionist : Mr Ackerley! They've been trying to find you. The switchboard's been flooded with callers.

  Hercule Poirot : Ah...

  Receptionist : Complaining about the dreadful accent. Lowering the standard of spoken English. All that sort of thing.

  James Ackerley : Oh.

  Receptionist : Sir John Reith's waiting to see you in his office.

  James Ackerley : So sorry. Messieurs.

  Chief Inspector Japp : Don't take it too hard, Poirot.

  Hercule Poirot : Indeed no. I am not at all surprised.

  Captain Hastings : You're not?

  Hercule Poirot : No. Chief Inspector, you really ought to look to your elocution.

  Chief Inspector Japp : So help me, there's nothing wrong with my lingo!

  Hercule Poirot : You see, that is exactly the kind of expression like "'alf a mo" that brings the language into disrepute. Come, Hastings. I shall lend to the Chief Inspector my personal copy of 'The English as She Should be Spoken'.

  [exits the building] 

  Hercule Poirot : Taxi!

• Captain Hastings : [Recites a line from "The Scarlet Pimpernel"]  They seek him here, they seek him there, those Frenchies seek him everywhere.

• Mrs Mallaby : [stepping out of a taxi]  Mr Poirot!

  Hercule Poirot : Ah, Madame Mallaby!

  Mrs Mallaby : Captain Hastings, we meet again. I wonder, could you...

  [passing a pile of hat boxes] 

  Captain Hastings : Of course.

  Mrs Mallaby : Oh, I couldn't decide on my outer look. Anyway, Eustace can afford it. He is Viscount Cronshaw now.

  Taxi Driver : One and six quid.

  Captain Hastings : Oh.

  [reaching his pocket] 

  Mrs Mallaby : To what do we owe this delegation?

  Captain Hastings : Well, Mr Poirot has taken into his head to see these famous figurines.

  Mrs Mallaby : Oh.

  Hercule Poirot : A foolish whim.

  Mrs Mallaby : Is His Highness at home, Samuelson?

  Butler : Yes, His Lordship is in the morning room, madam.

  Mrs Mallaby : Thank you. This way, gang.