Stage Struck

In her younger days Jessica had helped out at a small theatre, there she met husband Frank and married actors Julian and Maggie. On the opening night of the play Maggie is spooked and pulls out of performing, leaving the way clear for her understudy Barbara Bennington. That night Barbara dies, of cyanide poisoning, fortunately a member of the cast Merton Drock is the chief of Police, trouble is he feels out of his depth, step in Jessica Fletcher.

I enjoyed this episode very much, a very entertaining story with a clever sub plot. We get to see a little bit of Jessica's youth, plus the origins of her meeting husband Frank. The characters are particularly strong, Eleanor Parker is wonderful as Maggie, as is John Schuck's eccentric detective. Plenty of suspects, and a victim I didn't really see coming.

Very good. 8/10

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.

Former big name stage stars Edward Mulhare and Eleanor Parker are appearing in a play near Cabot Cove that Jessica Fletcher and her late husband did in community theater many years ago. Of course the cosmopolitan Jessica knows these two and also knows that they've been on the rocks so to speak as a couple. Kind of like Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford back in the day.

So when soap star Ann Turkel goes on in Parker's place after a quarrel and Turkel is found dead later of cyanide poisoning it's Parker looking good for it.

Stealing this particular episode is John Schuck who is the police chief and part of the community theater. Amos Tupper apparently has a lot more to do in Cabot Cove than Schuck ever did. In his first murder case the frustrated ham morphs into Hercule Poirot. Schuck really is funny in the part, more like Clouseau than Poirot.

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!

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