Murder in White

This MSW story has Angela Lansbury off to London where one of her books has been adopted as a play. But no one is really crazy about Anne Meara's adaption.

With great tact Lansbury makes some needed changes and the production starts to gel. But there are a lot of folks not happy with bullying producer Martin Sachs. He winds up stabbed to death.

True to form in these MSW stories it's always JB Fletcher's friend in this case leading lady Jean Marsh who the police suspect.

Best in the cast is Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Pauline Brailsford who is new on the job and tying to prove herself. Angela Lansbury provides the usual invaluable assistance.

Fans will approve.

Have always been quite fond of 'Murder She Wrote'. It is a fun and relaxing watch that makes you think as you try to unwind in the evening. If one wants more complex, twisty mysteries with lots of tension and suspense 'Murder She Wrote' may not be for you, but if you want something light-hearted and entertaining but still provide good mysteries 'Murder She Wrote' fits the bill just fine.

"Murder in White" is not a great episode, with the less than experienced actors (for example G.W. Stevens) making their inexperience pretty obvious, while the non-British actors struggle with the accents, something that is not unusual for the London-themed episodes. "Murder in White" to me has a denouement that even with a case full of suspects was not that hard to figure out, a more inspired motive could have been dreamt up too, and felt somewhat rushed. Maybe the episode took a little too long to get going.

On the other hand, Angela Lansbury is terrific as always, Jessica Fletcher is one of her best remembered roles and it is not hard to see why. Even in the lesser episodes, and despite being fond of the show it had its fair share of misfires particularly in the later seasons, she always delivered. Jean Marsh charms and affects in her friendship with Lansbury, and to me she was easy to root for and connected well with her character.

Particularly good in support though were Ian Ogilvy, not at all uncomfortable in a very different role to usual, and Robin Sachs, relishing his while making his character loathsome enough to avoid on the wrong side of pantomimic territory.

The mystery is a diverting and decently paced one (even though somewhat formulaic, especially who the victim is, which has often been pretty overt on the show, and whether the accused is innocent or guilty) with enough mystery elements to avoid being simplistic while still being easy to follow. The build up to the murder is quite suspenseful.

As ever, the production values are slick, stylish and suitably cosy regardless of questions being raised as to the location's authenticity. The music has energy and has presence but also not making the mistake of over-scoring, while it is hard to forget or resist the theme tune.

Writing is thoughtful and amiable.

In conclusion, a pretty good episode if not a great one. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Jessica is summoned to London to help with the stage adaptation of one of her novels starring her old friend, an elegant grande dame of the British stage. When the show's producer is murdered, Jessica must clear her friend of the crime, but in doing so she uncovers the actress's long-buried secret.

A good cast and the setting of the theatre gives this episode a nice boost. As usual, you have Robin Sachs playing a nasty theatre producer, who gets it. He's knifed by unknown assailant. Jessica is on the case.

Jessica is called to London to help out with the script on a stage play, which has been adapted for one or her books. Jessica finds herself having to help her friend Glenda, who's implicated in a murder.

It's a pretty good episode, The London setting makes it feel a little different, and it's a good mystery, I like the way the stage play's red herrings are used in the actual murder.

Credit where it's due, they actually did a good job of giving this a British feel, sometimes in the past, it's perhaps looked a little dubious, here though, with the use of footage and costumes, it's quite convincing.

Some of the accents are a little questionable, I think it isn't hard to spot The Brits, and The Americans doing a British accent, it wasn't always convincing on either side.

Jean Marsh was great, but it's Ian Ogilvy that steals the show, he was perfect, nice to see him playing a part like this.

It's a pretty good episode.

7/10.

An old friend of Jessica's is starring in a play based on one of Jessica's books. However, during rehearsals it becomes obvious that there's something wrong with the script and Jessica agrees to come to London to work with the screenwriter to fix it. However, soon it's obvious that someone is going to die....the evil toad of a producer. And, when he does assume room temperature, Jessica goes into crime-solving mode because her friend is accused of the crime. Naturally, someone else did it!

This is a pretty good episode even though none of it was actually filmed in the UK. My only quibble is something my wife pointed out...that Jessica's logic is missing something and her figuring out the killing seemed a bit difficult to believe. Not a big problem...just a minor one.