Somewhere between the Hardy Boys and Agatha Christie, some kindly relative introduced me to the World’s Greatest Detective with a collection of six or seven of Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous stories about Sherlock Holmes. I think the first story I read was “The Red-Headed League” where, even at the age of 8 or 9, … Continue reading NO SHIRT, SHERLOCK: Elementary, Season One
Ellery Queen
THE ELLERY QUEEN POLL: The Results!
It is always gratifying to put something up for a vote and then see a mad rush to the polls. Tens of thousands of eager fans showed up to choose the best episode of the Ellery Queen mystery series, and I was all set to post the results yesterday. But then someone who had hacked … Continue reading THE ELLERY QUEEN POLL: The Results!
ELLERY QUEEN: The Adventure of the Dubious Pollster
If you've been following along with me this past six weeks - or even if you haven't - you've received my take on the twenty-three episodes (including the pilot) of the all-too short-lived mystery series, Ellery Queen. Now it's your chance to be a part of history in the first (and probably only) fan poll … Continue reading ELLERY QUEEN: The Adventure of the Dubious Pollster
GOD SAVE THE QUEENS (THE NETWORK WON’T): Ellery Queen Episodes 21 and 22
And so it ends, not with a bang but . . . not with a whimper either (although the penultimate episode edges a little close). It’s impossible to believe that Link and Levinson could not have sustained the puzzle plots for at least one more season, and yet what we have here is most pleasurable … Continue reading GOD SAVE THE QUEENS (THE NETWORK WON’T): Ellery Queen Episodes 21 and 22
QUEENS CHOICE: Ellery Queen Episodes 19 and 20
Given a choice between a show-biz centered story featuring Simon Brimmer and centered around an Irving Berlin-type composer and a testosterone-laden “let’s hide the witness before he testifies against the mob boss” story, you think you’d know which episode I preferred. Well, you’d be wrong. Presenting the last truly great episode in the series! But … Continue reading QUEENS CHOICE: Ellery Queen Episodes 19 and 20
SCREAM QUEENS: Ellery Queen Episodes 17 and 18
There are only two really fine episodes of Ellery Queen left, and one of them is presented here. It’s well known that when Fred Dannay and Manny Lee moved their detective from his metaphorically international wanderings and planted him in Hollywood for a few novels, something went a little off. Here, we find Ellery in Hollywood, and … Continue reading SCREAM QUEENS: Ellery Queen Episodes 17 and 18
TWO QUEENS FOR A DAY: Ellery Queen Episodes 15 and 16
Two complex puzzles this time around with a double large roster of guest stars, some of whom get ill-served by the crowded plots. I love a good courtroom drama, and I blush at stuck-in-its-time racism; you’ll find both here. Just a quick note: this project serves to remind me that binge-watching a series has its … Continue reading TWO QUEENS FOR A DAY: Ellery Queen Episodes 15 and 16
ACES TRUMP A PAIR OF QUEENS: Ellery Queen Episodes 13 and 14
Kind of a low point in the series for me here. Just sayin’ . . . Jim Hutton as Ellery Queen with Tom Reese as Sergeant Velie EPISODE THIRTEEN: THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUNDAY PUNCH (Written by Larry Alexander ; original airdate 1/11/76) The Cast: The big name in this guest cast is Lloyd Nolan … Continue reading ACES TRUMP A PAIR OF QUEENS: Ellery Queen Episodes 13 and 14
QUEEN’S GAMBIT: Ellery Queen Episodes 11 and 12
With this installment, we reach and pass the halfway mark in our single season of Ellery Queen, and I can only express my disdain for NBC, which moved the show around from time slot to time slot and save a little invective for shows like The Streets of San Francisco, which played opposite our hero, drained ratings, … Continue reading QUEEN’S GAMBIT: Ellery Queen Episodes 11 and 12
BURLESQUE QUEENS OF THE NILE: EQ Episodes 9 and 10
EPISODE NINE: THE ADVENTURE OF VERONICA’S VEILS (Written by Robert Pirosh; original airdate 11/13/75) The Cast: A gem of a cast in a burlesque background, beginning with George Burns who, even though he only has a cameo, rates top billing! Burns spent most of his hundred years performing. He was “discovered” when, as a seven-year-old … Continue reading BURLESQUE QUEENS OF THE NILE: EQ Episodes 9 and 10