SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: Approx. 47:00 Min.
First broadcast by CBS-TV, on March 15, 1987, Walter Grauman directed this episode evidently inspired by the break-up of Jerry Lewis & Dean Martin’s comedy partnership. The script is credited to Tom Sawyer.
Once a highly popular comedy duo, TV host Mack Howard (Lawrence) and a semi-retired Murray Gruen (Hackett) have long been estranged. With their adult children (Clooney and Windsor) now engaged, Mack and Murray struggle setting their personal animosity aside for a celebratory dinner amongst family and friends.
The guests staying at Murray’s Hiawatha Inn in Coopersville, New York, include the team’s long-time agent, Phil Rinker (Johnson); their business manager, Farley Pressman (Furth); Mack’s wife – Trudy (Crowley); and Jessica Fletcher (Lansbury), who was a close friend of Murray’s late wife. During the evening, Mack and a drunken Murray’s feuding inevitably continues.
By the next morning, one person has been stabbed, and another has evidently committed suicide. Unlike the inexperienced young deputy (Knell) probing the incident, Jessica suspects a possibly more sinister motive. Ultimately, an old controversy exacerbating Mack & Murray’s ‘blame game’ comes to light.
Jessica Fletcher: Angela Lansbury
Mack Howard: Steve Lawrence
Trudy Howard: Pat Crowley
Murray Gruen: Buddy Hackett
Norma Lewis: Sheree North
Corrie Gruen: Beth Windsor
Kip Howard: George Clooney
Deputy Wylie Ledbetter (Acting Police Chief): David Knell
Farley Pressman: George Furth
Phil Rinker: Arte Johnson
Ms. Kline: Pat Delaney
Dr. Worth: Richard Morse
Al: Daniel Chodos
Henrietta: Alice Nunn
REVIEW:
This Murder, She Wrote is engaging from the get-go! Case in point: through trick photography and voice-overs, the prologue slickly sets up Steve Lawrence & Buddy Hackett’s characters as a legendary comedy tandem hitting the rocks.
While this whodunnit’s clues are conveyed fairly, they’ll still seem telegraphed to astute viewers. The only hint that doesn’t make sense is word of a late-night phone call. The script doesn’t clarify if any voice mail was left, but no standard business would plausibly be open at that hour.
Still, the likable cast (despite Hackett overplaying a rare dramatic role) effectively helps Angela Lansbury sell this storyline, even to non-fans. In particular, Lawrence’s credibility shines brightest among these guest stars, which includes George Clooney playing his son.
For an entertaining Murder, She Wrote, “No Laughing Murder” (aka “No Laughing Matter”) is a worthwhile choice from Season 3.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
