Colonel Mustard

Cluedo (1949 edition)

## Source

**Colonel Mustard** is a prominent character in Clue franchise.

## Character overview

Colonel Mustard is often shown to be a distinguished military officer who has been involved in several conflicts in different parts of the world, who is now retired from service. Mustard could also be an example of the *miles gloriosus*
, a stock character known for his military experience and dubious claims of grandeur.

Most of Mustard's characterization is that of a dignified, aging, somewhat bumbling English officer and gentleman. More youthful depictions of him portray Mustard as a suave and gallant officer who is bit of a ladies' man.

## Incarnations

### Clue Master Detective

**Colonel Algernon Mustard**, D.S.O., B.E.F., Q.E.I., late of the Bengal Lancers, is a retired officer of the British Indian Army. He held regimental honors as a marksman in various arms, from elephant gun to a small caliber pistol and distinguished himself behind the lines at the battle of Khyber Pass. After retirement, Mustard stayed in the Punjab, but has came to Boddy Mansion to speak to Mr. Boddy of something of grave importance, or so he says. Sleeps with a revolver under his pillow.

### Clue: The Franklin Mint Edition

Colonel Mustard is a highly decorated officer of the British Army; an adventurer that has seen most of the world and has held commands in India and Africa; but whenever the subject of his past campaigns comes into conversation, he is quite stingy on the details of his exploits. The Colonel is often heard at Hollinghurst extolling the virtues of military life, military discipline and military decorum.

### Clue (2002 edition)

*Main article: Colonel Mustard (2002)*
**Colonel Michael Mustard**, formerly of the Royal Hampshire Regiment, is an old acquaintance of Sir Hugh Black. Although having an undistinguished military career, he's more of a legend in his own mind. He managed to convinced a publisher that his memoirs would make for a good read, and received a large advance payment. However, the Colonel spends more time bragging about his rather larger-than-life tales at the gentlemen's club he's apart of and has only finished one chapter. With tax collectors and creditors hounding him for payments due, he needs money, and fast.

### Clue (2016 edition)

In the 2016 edition, Colonel Mustard is a highly decorated, successful and popular army officer. But behind his medal of honor are rumors of black market deals and treasons; rumors that he’s been paying off to keep secret for far too long. He believes that Mr. Boddy/Dr. Black is involved somehow, and eagerly heads to Tudor Mansion in search of evidence.

### Clue (2023 edition)

*Main article: Colonel Mustard (2023)*
Colonel Mustard is a decorated war hero, full of stories of past battles and narrow escapes. He's a man of action, with the experience to back it up. His credibility as a respected military member means he could easily sway public opinion in Black's favor -- especially if it means no one ever finds out he wasn't actually in the battle for which was awarded his most prestigious medal.

## Alternative versions

### Clue: Discover the Secrets

In *Clue: Discover the Secrets*, **Jack Mustard** was once the most sought-after celebrity football player in the prime of his youth, is now a sports announcer relying on his failing good looks and popularity. His stories are larger than life but how much longer will his fame last? He will not resign himself to becoming an unknown.

### Clue (2012 edition)

Jack Hartman, as known as Mustard, is an expert in martial arts. He is destined for the House of Mustard, which guards the secrets of might.

## Adaptations

### Theatre

#### Cluedo (play)

In the 1985 stage adaptation of *Cluedo*, Colonel Mustard was being blackmailed by Dr. Black. Dr. Black was also involved with the death of Mustard's brother, whom he was close to.

#### Clue (musical)

* In 1997 off-Broadway musical, Colonel Mustard fancies himself a triumphant war hero and is having an affair with Mrs. Peacock, the wife of Mr. Boddy. He is implicated in the death of Boddy's father and was married to Mr. Boddy's (presumably deceased) mother after the death of her husband, thus making him Boddy's stepfather.

### Literature

#### Cluedo Armchair Detective

**Ivor Mustard**, nicknamed “The Colonel” after his performance in the play *Gone With The Wine*, was an aspiring actor. When acting didn’t cut it for him, he became the publican of the local village’s pub, The Perfect Ace. He also a member of the local sports club in Abbington Frith.

#### Clue (book series)

* In the 1990s children's book series, **Colonel Martin Mustard** is a military man with a short temper who constantly challenges the other guests to a duel.

### Comics and graphic novels

#### Clue (2017 comic)

In the 2017 five-part comic miniseries, Colonel Mustard is U.S. Army officer who was stationed in Afghanistan to guard the Surobi zinnia ten years before the story is set. Late one night, a band of mercenaries ambushed the area to steal the Surobi zinnias, and kill all of Mustard’s men, leaving him as the sole survivor.

#### Clue: Candlestick

In the three-part comic miniseries *Clue: Candlestick*, Colonel Mustard is a retired army officer who gave Mr. Boddy the Lead Pipe. In Issue #1, Mustard reveals that after the war, he, among other officers, had to changed their legal names changed to protect their identities.

### Film and television

#### Clue (film)

In the 1985 film, "Colonel Mustard" is a pseudonym given to an unnamed officer of the United States Army that works a security post at the Pentagon. Mr. Boddy was blackmailing him for being a war profiteer that sold plane parts on the black market during the Second World War. The Colonel was also a frequent visitor of Miss Scarlet’s escort business.

#### Cluedo (British game show)

In the 1990s British game show adaptation, **Colonel "Mike" Mustard** is a former British SAS officer who finds himself in a love triangle between Mrs. Peacock and her step-daugther Miss Scarlett.

#### Cluedo (Australian game show)

In the Australian adaptation of the British game show, fifty-two-year-old **Lt. Colonel** (retired) **Michael "Mike" Mustard** is a Western District local with a distinguished army career having served with the Australian Army in the Vietnam War. Ten years ago he retired and moved back home to live in the small township of Creswick Falls, within walking distance of Brindebella. Since then he had built a strong romantic relationship with Mrs. Peacock, and spends most of his time at Brindebella. Mike Mustard is conservative and dismayed with youth culture. He is divorced and estranged from his daughter Jan. He does not like to talk about his military service.

### Computer and video games

#### Cluedo (1994 video game)

In the 1994 video game, **Colonel Michael Mustard** is a retired military officer, impeccable both in manner and dress. He is very much a ladies' man, with more than a hint of a ruthless streak.

#### Clue (1998 video game)

In the 1998 PC game *Clue: Murder at Boddy Mansion*, after serving in the Army, Colonel Mustard retired to spend time in a quiet country village. He became friends with Mr. Boddy at the local shooting club where Mustard shows that his military training has not become rusty.

#### Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion

In the 2000 point-and-click adventure game *Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion*, **Colonel Lewis Mustard** served during the Great War, and held regiment commands in Africa beforehand. His reputation as an exemplary leader has become tainted as accusations of war profiteering. All profits made are now gone due to his expensive lifestyle.

#### Clue Mystery Stories

In the 2011 Flash game Clue Mystery Stories, Mustard is a adventurer, and has known Boddy for over 25 years. During an exploit in search of an ancient dagger, Mustard was backstabbed by Boddy when the two were on an expedition, which caused Mustard to lose an eye and his arm.

#### Cluedo (2016 video game)

In the 2016 video game adaptation, Colonel Mustard is a highly decorated, successful and popular officer. However, behind his medals are rumours of black market deals and treason. For many years, he has secretly paying someone an unknown person to keep the evidence suppressed, all while vowing to uncover his blackmailer and exact vengeance. Perhaps the trail led to Dr. Black?

* In *Hollywood Studio* , Mustard is a investigative reporter who was digging up dirt on Black's murky past. When Black found out, he paid a visit to Mustard's editor and gave him a hefty bribe to drop the exposé and have Mustard fired and blacklisted. Perhaps Mustard took revenge on Black on ruining his career?
* In *Vampire Castle*, Mustard is now a werewolf, turning into it during the Suggestion scenes.
* In *Snowy Peaks*, Mustard is a young snowboarder. No biographical details are given.
* In the *Murder Express*, Mustard is the elderly train engineer. No biographical details are given.
* In *Wild West*, Mustard is the sheriff of Silver Town. Sheriff Mustard knows all about the crimes that Dr Black committed on his way to acquiring the mine at Silver Town, but Black had friends in high places who circled the wagons every time Mustard tried to arrest him. Perhaps Mustard reached the end of his tether and decided that frontier justice was the only way Black would pay for his crimes?
* In *Venetian Masquerade*, **Duke Mustard** leads an opulent lifestyle. The only things that interrupt his feasting and carousing are pauses for hunting and gambling. It was his refusal to pay a gambling debt that provoked a duel between Mustard and Dr. Black. Mustard was beaten, but Black spared his life. Perhaps Mustard sought revenge for this humiliation?
* In *Egyptian Adventure*, Mustard is the King of Egypt. **King Mustard** granted Dr Black permission to dig, with the understanding that the proceeds from selling artefacts would be split evenly. Mustard has no qualms about selling off his country’s heritage, as long as he gets his cut to support his lavish lifestyle. Perhaps Mustard killed Black in a fit of rage when he discovered that Black was lying about the prices the tomb’s treasures had fetched?
* In *Tropical Mystery*, Mustard is a successful banker. Mustard and Black have been friends since college. Mustard incubated Black’s company in its early stages, and the two grew to be successful entrepreneurs through their cooperation. Black invited Mustard to his ship to convince him to invest in a new business venture where Mustard told Black in confidence that he was planning on drilling for oil close to the islands. Black, the ruthless businessman he is, took that idea as his own and started preparing his own drill. On top of that, Black also ended the friendship with Mustard, having only used him for his connections in the finance world. Perhaps Mustard's greed was enough to push him over the edge and end Black's life?

## Nomenclature

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## Portrayals

### Filmed media

In *Clue VCR Mystery Game* and *Clue II: Murder in Disguise*, Colonel Mustard was played by Walter Covell.

In the 1985 film adaptation, he was played by Martin Mull.

In the British game show, Colonel Mustard was played by Robin Ellis (Series 1), David Robb (Christmas special), Michael Jayston (Series 2), Lewis Collins (Series 3) and Leslie Grantham (Series 4).

In the Australian game show, he was played by George Mallaby.

In the 1994 multimedia video game, Mustard was played by John Standing.

### Voice actors

In Clue Chronicles: Fatal Illusion, he was voiced by Chris Brailsford, who also voiced Ian Masque and Martin Urfe.

### Stage and live events

The 1985 stage play *Cluedo* opened with Simon Merrick as Colonel Mustard.

### Model

In the 1972 edition of *Clue*, Colonel Mustard was portrayed by Arthur Treacher.

## Gallery

Due to the amount of images relating to this article, ***Colonel Mustard*** now has its own gallery.
Cluedo (1949 edition)Clue (1949 edition)Clue (1963 edition)Clue (1972 edition)Clue VCR Mystery Game (1985)Clue (1985 film)Clue (1986 edition)Clue Master Detective (1988)Colonel Mustard - Clue (1992 Edition)Cluedo Super Sleuth (1995)Cluedo (1996 Edition)Clue: Franklin Mint Edition (1996)Cluedo (2000 edition)Cluedo: Passport to Murder (2000)Clue FX (2003)Clue (2016 edition)