The Swinging Christies: Agatha Christie in the 1960s

New year, new us…new world? Since before the 1960s, scientists have been warning at the negative human impact on the world around us, but it’s a topic that really hit the headlines in the Swinging era. Interestingly, it’s a thread that can be traced through some of Agatha Christie’s 1960s writing too… Join Mark and Gray for a brand new year on The Swinging Christies! PLUS: an announcement!You can find us on Instagram ⁠@Christie_Time⁠. We are also on Bluesky at ⁠ChristieTime.com. Our YouTube account is @TheSwingingChristies. WESTMAPOD launches on 31 March 2026!Please subscribe to the podcast so you’re notified every time an episode drops!Please also consider giving us a star rating and/or reviewing us on your podcatcher of choice.Our website is ⁠ChristieTime.com⁠.This episode is dedicated to Chandra Maharaj.The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown.00:00:00 - Dedication00:00:44 - Opening titles00:01:20 - Introductory chat00:03:28 - An announcement 00:06:09 - Climate Change in the 1960s00:20:52 - In the Cool of the Evening from Star Over Bethlehem (1965)00:32:47 - Case study: The Birds (1963)00:42:22 - Enter Albert!00:54:09 - Next episode, how to get in touch00:55:42 - Closing titles00:56:09 - CodaSolutions revealed! - Hallowe'en PartyTW: the death of the planet

Mark and Gray aka Donner and Blitzen are here with the now-annual Swinging Christies Christmas extravaganza! This time the discussion is about the ITV Agatha Christie’s Poirot David Suchet adaptations of The Mystery of the Spanish/Baghdad Chest, and The Theft of the Royal Ruby, aka The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding! Expect an abundance of sleigh bells, a tuneful game, two Edward Claytons, and a partridge in a pear tree!You can find us on Instagram ⁠@Christie_Time⁠. We are also on Bluesky at ⁠ChristieTime.com⁠. Our YouTube account is @TheSwingingChristies. Please subscribe to the podcast so you’re notified every time an episode drops!Please also consider giving us a star rating and/or reviewing us on your podcatcher of choice.Our website is ⁠ChristieTime.com⁠.The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown.00:00:00 - Opening titles00:00:40- Introductory chat00:02:45 - Christmas song game!00:06:50 - The Mystery of the Spanish Chest (1991)00:30:47 - The Theft of the Royal Ruby (1991)00:41:55 - The Return of the Mailbag00:52:32 - Next episode, how to get in touch00:53:53 - Closing titles00:54:21 - CodaSolutions revealed - The Mystery of the Baghdad/Spanish Chest, The Mirror Crack’d from Side to SideTW: being stabbed through the eye (Merry Christmas!)

Gray and Mark are sunning themselves in Puerto de la Cruz for Tenerife’s International Agatha Christie Festival! In the 1920s, Agatha came to this beautiful island to get away from it all, but even later, in the 1960s, the shadows of that dark time in her life were still evident.You can find us on Instagram ⁠@Christie_Time⁠. We are also on Bluesky at ⁠christietime.bsky.social⁠. Our YouTube account is @TheSwingingChristies. Please subscribe to the podcast so you’re notified every time an episode drops!Please also consider giving us a star rating and/or reviewing us on your podcatcher of choice.Our website is ⁠ChristieTime.com⁠.The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown.00:00:00 - Opening titles00:00:40 - Introductory chat00:04:16 -  The Disappearance - in Agatha’s own words00:24:46 - The Disappearance in Agatha’s Swinging works, from Davenham to Marina Gregg00:57:22 - Next episode, how to get in touch00:59:15 - Closing titles00:59:38 - CodaSolutions revealed - Endless Night, The Disappearance of Mr Davenheim, The Dream, Third GirlTW: references to suicide, mental health crises, quoted outdated terminology, deaths and bereavements

Mwahahaha! It’s the now-traditional The Swinging Christies x Hallowe’en extravaganza, and this year Mark and Gray are talking about the recent film adaptation of Hallowe’en Party, A Haunting in Venice (2023). What do we make of the 1969 setting moved to 1947? Will we survive a risky game of apple bobbing, in a very non-galvanised bucket? Listen on to find out.You can find us on Instagram ⁠@Christie_Time⁠. We are also on Bluesky at ⁠christietime.bsky.social⁠. Our YouTube account is @TheSwingingChristies. Please subscribe to the podcast so you’re notified every time an episode drops!Please also consider giving us a star rating and/or reviewing us on your podcatcher of choice.Our website is ⁠ChristieTime.com⁠.The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown.Next episode: we're doing something we have never done before...00:00:00 - Opening titles00:00:40 - Introductory chat00:03:12 - A Haunting in Venice00:18:33 - Apple bobbing!00:22:09 - Differences between Hallowe’en Party and A Haunting in Venice00:47:51 - How to get in touch00:48:54 - Closing titles00:49:21 - CodaSolutions revealed - Hallowe’en Party, The Pale Horse, Third GirlTW: brief discussion of eating disorders and violence against children

It’s The Swinging Christies as you've never heard (or seen) it before - with a live audience! Join Mark and Gray at the 2025 International Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay, Devon, for this special recorded and filmed episode all about the  way Agatha Christie’s books were packaged for a whole new Swinging era! Expect laughs, mishaps, ribbing, and even the occasional fact.With heartfelt thanks to everyone at the festival for making this happen, from the volunteers to the organisers to the bookshop, and a special thanks to our brilliant director and editor for this episode, John Tomkins of Emberlense Productions.You can find us on Instagram ⁠@Christie_Time⁠. We are also on Bluesky at ⁠christietime.bsky.social⁠. Our YouTube account is @TheSwingingChristies. Please subscribe to the podcast so you’re notified every time an episode drops!Please also consider giving us a star rating and/or reviewing us on your podcatcher of choice.Our website is ⁠ChristieTime.com⁠.The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown.Next episode: we’re going apple bobbing… It’s the Hallowe’en special!00:00:00 - Opening titles00:04:15 - Colour00:17:50 - Shape00:26:54 - Pattern00:31:18 - Headline00:34:21 - Femme00:39:10 - Psychedelia00:45:48 - Wrap up, next episode00:48:48 - Closing titlesSolutions revealed - Cat among the Pigeons