Stage Struck

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.

"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.

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.

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

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!