Given the attention of my other post. Here is my alternative cast for MOTOE:
Hercule Poirot- Lumet wanted Alec Guinness or Paul Scofield. I thinker Peter Finch would be an interesting Poirot.
Mrs. Hubbard- Deborah Kerr keeps coming to my mind. This role is extremely difficult to cast. She would be better at the elegance of Arden than the loquaciousness of Hubbard.
M. Bianchi- Richard Conte. Coming off The Godfather, he could do this role in his sleep.
Great Olhsson- Viveca Lindfors. I really had to search for this once I discovered Inger Stevens died in 1970.
Countess Andrenyi- Helen Mirren. A young Mirren would do more than Bisset did in this role.
Pierre-Jean-Louis Trintignant. A great French actor who might be too attractive for Pierre.
Colonel Arbuthnot- Robert Shaw. Also thought of Richard Burton, Richard Harris, or Oliver Reed. Shaw is the better actor.
Mr. Beddoes- Ralph Richardson. No comment needed. Denholm Elliott was also a consideration.
Princess Dragomiroff- Brigette Helm. She was in fucking Metropolis (1927).
Hector McQueen- Sam Waterston. He wouldn't be as emotionally unstable as Perkins, but could do a lot with the role.
Mary Denbenham- Julie Christie. It is 1974, Christie would definitely bring in the star power. Shirley Eaton aka "Great Value Julie Christie" wouldn't be too bad either.
Hildegard Schmitt- Janet Suzman. She looks tough as a boot. She would have to look older
Samuel Rachett- William Holden. His performance in Network in 1975 proved he was still in the game at this point in his career.
Count Andrenyi- Klaus Maria Brandauer. He is an attractive Hungarian-Austrian. Michael Jayston was also a consideration.
Cyrus Hardman- Alec McCowen. Easy and small enough role for him. I always thought he needed more film roles.
Doctor Constantine- Bernard Lee. A familiar face, he might not be goofy enough for Dr. Constantine though.
Antonio Foscarelli- Franco Franchi. Funny Italian comedian for a good comic relief part.
Please let me know your thoughts on the cast. Easily adaptable but don't be tacky.