Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (1980) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A cryptic question leads Bobby and Lady Frances from a death on a golf course toward a possible inheritance motive, while a dangerous suspect remains at large.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Question in the Ravine

Bobby and Dr. Thomas find a mortally injured stranger while searching for a golf ball. The stranger's cryptic final question and later identification as a Canadian establish the mystery.

Key Events

• Golf on the Course — Bobby and Dr. Thomas play golf, and a search for a ball leads to a ravine. Characters: Bobby Jones, Dr. Thomas Location: Golf course
• The Injured Stranger — They find a badly injured man at the bottom of a ravine. Characters: Bobby Jones, Dr. Thomas Location: Ravine beside the golf course
• A Doctor's Dire Warning — Dr. Thomas says the injured man has only minutes to live. Characters: Bobby Jones, Dr. Thomas Location: Ravine
• The Final Question — The dying stranger asks why a particular person was not consulted. Characters: Bobby Jones Location: Ravine
• The Canadian Identified — The dead stranger is identified as a Canadian who had recently stayed in the area. Location: Unspecified

An Investigation Takes Shape

After recovering, Bobby agrees to investigate with Lady Frances, who brings in Dr. George Arbuthnot. Their car scheme and attention to Roger introduce danger and suspicion.

Key Events

• Frances Proposes an Inquiry — After Bobby recovers, Lady Frances visits and asks him to investigate with her. Characters: Bobby Jones, Lady Frances Derwent Location: Unspecified
• Arbuthnot Joins Them — Lady Frances brings Dr. George Arbuthnot into the investigation. Characters: Bobby Jones, Lady Frances Derwent, Dr. George Arbuthnot Location: Unspecified
• The Staged Accident Scheme — The group obtains cars for a plan involving a deliberate accident. Characters: Bobby Jones, Lady Frances Derwent, Dr. George Arbuthnot Location: Unspecified
• Suspicion Falls on Roger — The investigators focus suspicion on Roger and his family's connections. Characters: Bobby Jones, Lady Frances Derwent, Roger Bassington-ffrench Location: Unspecified

Flight and Growing Danger

Moira becomes frightened and leaves for a London nursing home. Bobby and Lady Frances fear Roger may be behind the violence and learn that he may be pursuing them.

Key Events

• Moira Flees to London — Frightened, Moira leaves for a nursing home in London. Characters: Moira Nicholson, Bobby Jones, Lady Frances Derwent Location: London nursing home
• Roger May Be Pursuing Them — Bobby and Lady Frances learn Roger may be pursuing them. Characters: Bobby Jones, Lady Frances Derwent, Roger Bassington-ffrench Location: Unspecified

The Fortune and Its Witnesses

Mrs. Rivington links the Canadian's distress to a wealthy man's death, and the will reveals a large inheritance and witnesses. A hidden note and a servant's account point the investigators toward further testimony, but the available account ends before the mystery is resolved.

Key Events

• Rivington's Recollection — Mrs. Rivington recalls the Canadian's distress after hearing of a wealthy man's death. Characters: Bobby Jones, Lady Frances Derwent, Mrs. Rivington Location: Unspecified
• The Inheritance Connection — The investigators examine the will and find a large inheritance and named witnesses. Characters: Bobby Jones, Lady Frances Derwent Location: Unspecified
• A Note Behind the Telephone — A note hidden behind the telephone points to the fortune as a possible motive. Characters: Bobby Jones, Lady Frances Derwent Location: Cottage
• A Servant's Testimony — A former household servant says another maid was present when the millionaire died. Characters: Bobby Jones, Lady Frances Derwent Location: Unspecified
• Witnesses Still to Trace — The investigators begin tracing witnesses while Roger remains a dangerous suspect. Characters: Bobby Jones, Lady Frances Derwent, Roger Bassington-ffrench Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• The Ravine Discovery — A golf game brings Bobby and Dr. Thomas to a dying stranger and his puzzling final words.
  • Search for the Ball — Bobby and Dr. Thomas search for a golf ball and find a badly injured man.
  • The Final Question — The dying stranger asks why a particular person was not consulted.
• The Canadian Mystery — The dead stranger's identity and recent stay in the area deepen the uncertainty surrounding his death.
  • Identity Revealed — The dead man is identified as a Canadian.
  • Recent Local Stay — His recent presence in the area becomes part of the mystery.
• Frances Starts the Inquiry — Lady Frances recruits Bobby after his recovery, and Dr. George Arbuthnot joins their effort.
  • A Proposal to Investigate — Lady Frances visits Bobby and proposes that they investigate.
  • Arbuthnot Joins — Lady Frances brings Dr. George Arbuthnot into the group.
• Roger Under Suspicion — The investigators focus on Roger and worry that he may be connected to the violence and pursuing them.
  • Family Connections — Suspicion focuses on Roger and his family's links to a remote house and Dr. Nicholson.
  • A Pursuer's Threat — Bobby and Lady Frances learn that Roger may be pursuing them.
• Moira's Flight — Moira becomes frightened and leaves for a London nursing home as the investigators assess the danger.
  • Fear Takes Hold — Moira becomes frightened amid the investigation.
  • London Nursing Home — Moira leaves for a nursing home in London.
• The Inheritance Clue — Information from Mrs. Rivington redirects attention toward a wealthy man's death and a possible financial motive.
  • Rivington's Recollection — Mrs. Rivington recalls the Canadian's distress after hearing of the wealthy man's death.
  • A Large Inheritance — The will reveals a large inheritance and names witnesses.
• Tracing the Witnesses — A hidden note and a former servant's account give Bobby and Lady Frances leads to pursue, but the provided account stops before resolution.
  • The Cottage Note — A note behind a telephone points toward the fortune as a possible motive.
  • Another Maid's Account — A former servant says another maid was present when the millionaire died.

Directed by

Tony Wharmby, John Davies

Key Cast

• Francesca Annis — Lady Frances Derwent
• John Gielgud — Reverend Jones
• Bernard Miles — Dr. Thomas
• Eric Porter — Dr. Nicholson
• Leigh Lawson — Roger Bassington-ffrench