Stage Struck

Two actor friends, Maggie and Julian (Eleanor Parker and Edward Mulhare), of Jessica's are due to appear in a revival of the play which launched their careers 30 years earlier, but Maggie finds threatening notes on stage, she stands down in favour of her understudy, who dies of cyanide poisoning. Jessica, as ever, decides to investigate.

Cyanide, theatre, stage actor getting threatening messages, an actress that would like to take the lime light and a detective who thinks he's Hercule Poriot - all this is classic murder mystery homage and done very well. There's some nice misdirection and some good humour from a detective who has illusions of being a golden age of mystery detective but gets it wrong. But Jessica gets it right.

"Stage Struck", not surprisingly, is set at a play which is about to debut. And, not surprisingly, Jessica Fletcher just happens to be there.

As rehearsals are occurring, again and again, someone seems to be tormenting the leading lady (Eleanor Parker)....driving her towards the brink of a breakdown. In fact, it eventually becomes so bad that the understudy is told she'll go on instead on opening night. This is tough, as the understudy is poisoned. But who did it? And, who was tormenting the original leading lady?

This is a decent episode but it has two minor problems. The sheriff (John Shuck) is absolutely too stupid and should have been toned down a bit. Additionally, the plot is a bit overly complicated and confusing....but still not bad.

This episode marks one of the most recent appearances to date for Classic film star Eleanor Parker, who began her illustrious acting career in 1941. Edward Mulhare and Dan O'Herlihy have since unfortunately passed.

Maggie Tarrow (Eleanor Parker) and her ex-husband, Julian Lord (Edward Mulhare) rise above their personal differences, to co-star on stage in a romantic comedy at Applewood Theatre, in New England, to which they invite dear friend Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) to opening night festivities.

Jessica arrives early enough to meet the play's cast members, including understudy Barbara Bennington (Ann Turkel), actor Larry Matthews (Shea Farrell), and Applewood Police Chief Merton P. Drock (John Schuck), who doubles as the actor playing the role of the butler.

Alexander Preston (Dan O'Herlihy), Nicky Saperstein (John Pleshette) and Pru Mattson (Christopher Norris) serve as the play's crew, producing, directing and assisting where necessary.

Applewood Pharmacist Eddie Bender (Bob Hastings) doubles as delivery man, to fill orders to the theatre, while Reporter T.J. Holt (Don Most) uncovers a secret from someone's past.

But after Jessica discovers a body in the dressing room, she suspects that the victim who has been poisoned was not the intended victim, Jessica thus trying to prevent another murder of one who is "Stage Struck." If "the show must go on," then Jessica must figure who is trying to stop the show and why, as Chief Merton P. Drock doubles as law enforcement investigator.

The cast is rounded out by Jeffrey Lippa as Reporter #1, Annie Gagen as Reporter #2, Richard Hoyt-Miller as Young Reporter, and Weldon Bleiler as Young Doctor.

Extra points for the presence of Eleanor Parker and Edward Mulhare.

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.

Season 3 has better episodes than "Stage Struck", but it's a decent watch and livened up by many things. The script is an uneven one. Some of it provokes thought and is suitably light-hearted and amiable as well as catty, other parts gets melodramatic and overwrought, even for an episode based in the theatre and featuring a former husband and wife team at war.

Also found the identity of the murderer very easy to figure out. The number of suspects was not a large one in the first place and very quickly narrowed it down to two (it was figuring out who was the intended target that was more a mystery), being the only ones with strong enough motives to kill. The motive is not as foreseeable but what should have been a denouement that should have been serious came over as too serious and melodramatic with the motive itself more something you would find in an episode of 'Dr Phil'.

On the other hand, it was very easy to love the community theatre setting, which was it seemed a really nice nod to Angela Lansbury's extensive theatre backgrounds. That Jessica and Frank flashback was very sweet.

Production values are high in quality as to be expected, with slick photography while the 80s hairstyles and fashions are a hoot (though more glamorous than most episodes of 'Murder She Wrote'). 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.

Story-wise, it is good fun and particularly livened up by the presence and chemistry between Eleanor Parker and Edward Mulhare.

Angela Lansbury is great as always, while a very funny John Schuck steals scenes. It is Parker and Mulhare's show though, they absolutely go for it and seeing them out-act each other and seeing such fiery chemistry between them and everybody else was a huge part of the fun.

In summary, decent if not a favourite by any stretch. 7/10 Bethany Cox

John Astin appeared in several episodes of Murder She Wrote, but this is the only one he directed, and it's an absolute gem! Oh how I wish he would have directed more, his sly wit is 'very Gomez'. The pacing, the timing, the comedic sense, the wink, wink insider jokes are absolute treasures. But - John Schuck in his eyeliner makeup is comedic perfection! He absolutely charmingly steals the show. Angela's double-takes to Schuck are priceless.

The timing and sound effects in the Schuck dressing room scene is sheer perfection! The entire episode has a wonderful Agatha Christie movies of the 1970's -1980's feel. It's an absolute joyride leaving me grinning rerun after rerun again and again!