The Swinging Christies: Agatha Christie in the 1960s

Gray and Mark go trick-or-treating and uncover the truth about Hallowe’en parties in the 1960s, via Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie! They even risk their lives - and fingers - by playing a fiery game of Snapdragon!

You can find us on X and Instagram under @Christie_Time. Our website is Christietime.com. 

The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown.

You can listen to the audiobook of ‘Agatha Christie’s Marple’ via Audible, Spotify and all other good audio retailers.

Next episode: we delve into the Agatha Archives!

00:00:00 - Opening titles

00:00:41 - Introductory chat

00:02:38 - Origins of Hallowe’en

00:15:57 - Hallowe’en in the 1960s

00:28:01 - What would a 1960s Hallowe’en party have entailed? Apple bobbing, Jack o’lanterns, trick or treating, games

00:46:10 - We play Snapdragon!

00:51:08 - More games, the broomstick competition

00:57:08 - Next episode, how to get in touch

00:58:56 - Closing titles

00:59:25 - Coda

Solutions revealed - Hallowe’en Party!

TW: murder of children

To mark (ha) the publication of Mark’s new book, ‘Agatha Christie’s Marple: Expert on Wickedness’, Mark and Gray have recorded a special commentary of the 1961 Miss Marple film, Murder She Said. Along the way Mark teases some nuggets of gold from his new book!

Listen on to the end for an exclusive sneak peek of the audiobook of ‘Agatha Christie’s Marple’, read by Jane Slavin!

You can find us on X and Instagram under @Christie_Time. Our website is Christietime.com. 

The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown.

You can download the audiobook of ‘Agatha Christie’s Marple’, read by Jane Slavin, via Audible, Spotify and all good audio retailers.

Next episode: Hallowe'en!

00:00:00 - Opening titles

00:00:38 - Interview with Mark Aldridge

00:05:48 - Murder She Wrote commentary

01:29:11 - Next episode, how to get in touch

01:30:05 - Closing titles

01:30:33 - Extract from the audiobook of 'Agatha Christie’s Marple'

You catch Mark and Gray in a reflective mood, as they reunite for a retrospective on the series so far - everything they have learned and anything they missed along the way, with the help of some lovely listener feedback!

You can find us on X and Instagram under @Christie_Time. Our website is Christietime.com.

The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown.

Next episode: watch this space…

00:00:00 - Opening titles

00:00:38 - Introductory chat

00:04:54 - Recapping the series so far

00:17:11 - Corrections, clarifications, extras

00:30:47 - The Mailbag

00:59:09 - Next episode, how to get in touch

01:01:34 - Closing titles

01:01:59 - Coda

Solutions revealed! - The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side

TW: racist saying quoted

Mark and Gray dodge the paparazzi and marvel at Christie’s fame, including her success in the theatre, on screen, and around the world. But surely it’s not the podcast’s curtain call..? Find out what’s happening next for The Swinging Christies! 

Includes interview clips from Mathew Prichard and Agatha Christie herself!

You can find us on X and Instagram under @Christie_Time. Our website is ChristieTime.com.

00:00:00 - Opening titles

00:00:59 - Introductory chat

00:03:11 - The 1960s: Christie’s most successful decade?

00:15:14 - Christie in Theatreland, Mathew Prichard

00:33:45 - Christie on the small screen, Mathew Prichard

00:52:53 - Agatha Christie the celebrity

01:09:49 - Christie’s biggest fans

01:15:55 - Publicity and press

01:23:09 - Mary Westmacott

01:26:27 - Agatha Christie’s Autobiography

01:29:32 - Christie’s Late Style

01:37:09 - Next episode, how to get in touch

01:41:01 - Closing titles

01:41:28 - Coda

The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown.

Next episode: Reflections

The clock is ticking for Mark and Gray, as The Swinging Christies examines Agatha Christie's references to the advancement of technology in the 1960s and the Cold War!

You can find us on X and Instagram under @Christie_Time. Our website is Christietime.com.

The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown.

Next episode: Fame

00:00:00 - Opening titles

00:00:50 - Introductory chat

00:05:38 - Why did it feel like the end of the world in the 1960s?

00:15:31 - The Cuban Missile Crisis aka a Caribbean Mystery

00:30:11 - The Doomsday Clock and The Clocks

00:37:45 - The Bomb and Ban the Bomb, MAD, détente

00:49:46 - Global student movements and Passenger to Frankfurt

00:53:15 - Espionage

01:17:52 - Scientific advancements

01:33:10 - Space exploration

01:39:02 - Next episode, how to get in touch

01:40:27 - Closing titles

01:40:53 - Coda

Solutions revealed! - The Clocks, Ordeal by Innocence

This episode of The Swinging Christies explores globaliastion, the US-UK cultural exchange, the decline of the British Empire and the rise of the Civil Rights movement - all topics that were swirling whilst Agatha Christie was writing!

You can find us on X and Instagram under @Christie_Time. Our website is Christietime.com. The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown.

Next episode: Armageddon

00:00:00 - Opening titles

00:00:50 - Introductory chat

00:05:05 - Agatha Christie in the world

00:08:54 - The ongoing disintegration of the British Empire

00:27:10 - Increasing multiculturalism and racism

00:38:53 - Joining the EEC

00:43:04 - Anglo-American cultural exchange

00:59:39 - Travel and transport

01:13:10 - Citizens of the world

01:15:49 - Next episode, how to get in touch

01:17:14 - Closing titles

01:17:40 - Coda

Solutions revealed! - A Caribbean Mystery, Endless Night

TW: Discussions of racism and xenophobia, including some racist language in quoted material

Tune in to the sixth episode of The Swinging Christies, drop everything and peace out! Mark and Gray examine the references to drugs in Agatha Christie's 60s novels, plays, films and short stories. Purple hearts for everyone!

You can find us on X and Instagram under @Christie_Time. Our website is Christietime.com.

The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown. 

Next episode: Empire

00:00:00 - Opening titles

00:00:55 - Introductory chat

00:01:46 - Drugs everywhere in the 1960s!

00:04:01 - Christie in the Dispensary 

00:16:37 - Christie’s invented poisons - Calmo, Serenite, Benvo

00:29:28 - Real poisons in the Swinging books and adaptations

00:35:06 - Thallium and The Pale Horse

00:37:27 - Purple hearts and Third Girl

00:43:16 - Ups and downs with uppers and downers

00:57:23 - The Harlequin Tea Set

00:59:58 - Psychedelia 

01:09:55 - Next episode, how to get in touch

01:10:10 - Closing titles

01:11:38 - Coda

Solutions revealed! - A Caribbean Mystery, Third Girl, The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side, Endless Night, The Pale Horse

In the fifth episode of The Swinging Christies, Mark and Gray spook each other by discussing everything from contemporary fears to olde folklore in the 1960s Agatha Christies. 

You can find us on X and Instagram under @Christie_Time. Our website is Christietime.com.

The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown. 

Next episode: Drugs 

00:00:00 - Opening titles

00:00:39 - Introductory chat

00:05:21 - Horror landscape in the 1960s

00:21:05 - Domestic horror

00:36:28 - Folklore

00:51:25 - Horror and insanity, suicide

01:12:19 - Hardboiled thrillers, violence

01:22:00 - Sanitised horror in adaptations

01:30:06 - Rising crime in the 1960s

01:37:33 - Next episode, how to get in touch

01:38:22 - Closing titles

01:38:49 - Coda

Solutions revealed! - Hallowe’en Party, A Caribbean Mystery, The Patient, By the Pricking of My Thumbs, The Pale Horse, Endless Night, At Bertram’s Hotel 

TW - death of children, suicide, mental illness, outdated terms in quoted material 

Episode four of The Swinging Christies sees Mark and Gray get all togged up and browse down Carnaby Street, as they examine style, art and Agatha Christie. 

You can find us on X and Instagram under @Christie_Time. Our website is Christietime.com.

The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown. 

Next episode: Horror

00:00:00 - Opening titles

00:00:42 - Introductory chat

00:04:37 - The fashion industry in the 1960s

00:14:40 - What was in vogue?

00:19:55 - The miniskirt!

00:28:22 - Animal print, bikinis, the dolly bird look, the babydoll look

00:37:28 - Boutique culture

00:41:38 - Fashion magazine Vogue

00:45:27 - Make-up and hair

00:53:14 - Men’s hair and fashion

00:59:59 - The Peacock

01:03:53 - Art and aesthetics

01:12:56 - Revivalism (to be continued…)

01:15:47 - Next episode, how to get in touch

01:16:30 - Closing titles

01:16:57 - Coda

Solutions revealed! - The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding, Third Girl

In the third episode of The Swinging Christies, Mark and Gray turn the spotlight on class, inequality, society... all themes that are present and correct in Agatha Christie!

You can find us on X and Instagram under @Christie_Time. Our website is Christietime.com.

The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown.

Next episode: Fashion

00:00:00 - Opening titles

00:00:36 - Introductory chat

00:01:51 - Context

00:02:42 - Agatha’s relationship with money

00:10:19 - The MGM deal

00:21:22 - The Great Train Robbery 1963

00:25:56 - Organised crime

00:29:21 - Increased prosperity, ways of living, new towns, consumerism, class

00:59:53 - New money

01:04:33 - Next episode, how to get in touch

01:05:48 - Closing titles

01:06:09 - Coda

Solutions revealed! - At Bertram's Hotel, The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side, Endless Night