Maggie Smith: Daphne Castle

Meurtre au soleil

Daphne Castle

Arlena Stuart Marshall: Oh, dear! I'm the last to arrive.
Daphne Castle: Have a sausage. You must be starving having to wait all that time in your room.

Daphne Castle: Arlena and I were in the chorus of a show together, not that I could ever compete. Even in those days, she could always throw her legs up in the air higher than any of us... and wider.

Daphne Castle: Dear Monsieur Poirot, a word in your ear. The whole world knows that you are a man of enormous discretion and gallantry, a man not only privy to the secrets of kings and prime ministers, but also a man who would never willingly stand by and see a lady in trouble without rushing to her aid. I appeal to you now, as just such a frail woman, in need of help. In fact I throw myself on your mercy. Couldn't we make this a private investigation? You know how peculiar people can be about a spot of murder.

Daphne Castle: I've just had a telephone call from your friend Sir Horace. He says he's having trouble with his... his... his piffle valve?
Poirot: Such a valve still has to be invented, Madame.
Daphne Castle: Oh, well I dare say you're right, I wasn't paying that much attention, anyway the result is he'll be 24 hours late.

Arlena Stuart Marshall: [arriving at outdoor buffet luncheon in swimming attire] I'm so sorry, are we late? Patrick insisted upon rowing me right round the island and its much bigger than I thought. Poor darling, he's absolutely exhausted.
Daphne Castle: [dryly, knowing what they've actually been up to] I'm not in the least surprised.

Daphne Castle: [notices Poirot in lobby] Oh, you - you must be Sir Horace Blatt's friend; perhaps - perhaps you'll sign in?
Poirot: [signs hotel register]
Daphne Castle: Oh, so you're the famous Hercule Poirot eh?
Poirot: Ah you are too amiable madame.
Daphne Castle: [sternly] Perhaps - I hope you haven't come here to practice your sleuthing games on my guests - they've all got far too many skeletons in their cupboards to join in with enthusiasm.

[last lines]
Daphne Castle: I've just had a phone call from His Majesty and he is very pleased with...
Poirot: The king of Tyrania?
Daphne Castle: He is very pleased with the matter being cleared up so quickly and so discreetly. He is so pleased he is awarding you the Order of Saint Gudrun the Inquisitive.
Poirot: Saint Gudrun the Inquisitive?
Daphne Castle: First class.
Poirot: How many classes are there?

Daphne Castle: Look, I was wrong about cherchez la femme. Sorry about that, but it's quite obviously cherchez le fruit. Rex, see, is the only one unaccounted for.

Daphne Castle: [greeting the Redferns] Hello! I'm Daphne Castle - welcome to the island.
Patrick Redfern: How do you do.
Christine Redfern: [unenthusiastic] It looks lovely, I'm sure we'll have a nice time here.
Daphne Castle: [twinkling] And a naughty one too - I hope!

Daphne Castle: I bet it pongs something rotten in there.
Poirot: Only of the breath of the sea.
Daphne Castle: Oh, how poetic you are, Monsieur Poirot. You have the true soul of France.
Poirot: The true soul of Belgium, Madame.
Daphne Castle: Yes, of course. How mortifyingly stupid of me! Oh, do please forgive me.
Poirot: In due course of time.

Daphne Castle: Every week it's my custom to collect all my staff together, you know, to give them a collective boot up the bum. It does no end of good, particularly the I-ties. Keeps them up to snuff, as my old Papa used to say. Anyway, that meeting was this morning at 11:30, and just before it I came up here to have a wash and I poked my nose in here and I saw Kenneth hard at it, so I - I just didn't disturb him.
Poirot: But, Madame, you cannot see the desk from the door.

Daphne Castle: Arlena and I were in the chorus of a show together. Not that I could ever compete. Even in those days she could always throw her legs up in the air higher than any of us... . and wider.

Daphne Castle: Darling, I'd love to help. But it's not publicity I need, it's the cash.
Rex Brewster: Oh, good God, darling, don't we all?

Daphne Castle: If I can't see you faces shining in every knife, fork and spoon, I'll have your guts for garters! Understood?

Daphne Castle: I was having my staff meeting. You know, giving the hired help a pleasing stream of the old rancid, and in particular pointing out to Andreas that there was absolutely no point in making your Curry de poulet Vindaloo so hot that it raised welts on the surface of your tongue.

Daphne Castle: How about a cocktail, Monsieur Poirot? White Lady, a Sidecar, Mainbrace or Between the Sheets?
Poirot: No, if I could have a Crème de Cassis or a Sirop de Banane. Do you have - banana syrup?
Daphne Castle: Certainly.

Kenneth Marshall: With me, a deal is a deal. I don't approve of quick marriage and easy divorce. Arlena is my wife. That's all there is to it.
Daphne Castle: Till death do you part?
Kenneth Marshall: Exactly.