A bit of a strange episode in which the murder victim himself has an odd motive for his own actions. By the end of the story, it becomes clear that the victim, (a quick cameo from Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" sidekick, Ed McMahon) isn't what he claims to be. But he didn't even let his loving wife in on the secret. There is no good explanation as to why the victim would leave the wife in the dark. Doing so seems to have been completely unneccessary to his - the victim's- motivations.
The plotting is a bit difficult to follow as there are characters who appear whose reasons for being there are not clearly explained. Actor Dick Van Patten portrays a character who suddenly shows up, goes for a bit of a run, then ends up being interrogated by Inspector Queen. This character is allowed to refuse answering any questions, then doesn't show up again until the concluding "Big Reveal" scene. Puzzling, but not so in the context of the actual murder mystery.
There's a toy train layout involved in the plot. Unfortunately, the production apparently didn't have the resources to set up anything convincing. Meaning neither the money, nor anyone with any expertise in building a train layout. This is a shame as the toy trains are integral to the mystery.
Also, we're to believe that the victim built tunnels underground between the main house and the shed in which the trains are set up. Small tunnels, for the toy trains alone to travel through. Ellery, at one point, states that the tunnels will not have to be dug up. He has taped a makeshift "plow" to a train engine and has used that to retrieve a clue which he "some how" knows is located in the underground tunnel. Then it's said that the killer had put that clue in the tunnel. How???
Arthur Godfrey guest stars as a business associate of the murder victim. He gets a terrific line regarding a bathtub. Very unexpected, considering the 1975 filming date. Too bad his character isn't given much else to do.
Ellery deals with an unwanted tag-along, would-be author. She's seeking advice for her romance novel. Ellery is at first dismissive of her as her appearance is more like that of a studious young man. Later she shows up in a beautiful evening gown and flowing hairstyle. Ellery then happily realizes she is definitely all woman. These two might just hit it off fine, providing Inspector Queen with a fine, new daughter-in-law. She's never seen again.
Jim Hutton and David Wayne carry the episode. They are excellent, as usual. They just could have used a bit more help when it came to the script.
The plotting is a bit difficult to follow as there are characters who appear whose reasons for being there are not clearly explained. Actor Dick Van Patten portrays a character who suddenly shows up, goes for a bit of a run, then ends up being interrogated by Inspector Queen. This character is allowed to refuse answering any questions, then doesn't show up again until the concluding "Big Reveal" scene. Puzzling, but not so in the context of the actual murder mystery.
There's a toy train layout involved in the plot. Unfortunately, the production apparently didn't have the resources to set up anything convincing. Meaning neither the money, nor anyone with any expertise in building a train layout. This is a shame as the toy trains are integral to the mystery.
Also, we're to believe that the victim built tunnels underground between the main house and the shed in which the trains are set up. Small tunnels, for the toy trains alone to travel through. Ellery, at one point, states that the tunnels will not have to be dug up. He has taped a makeshift "plow" to a train engine and has used that to retrieve a clue which he "some how" knows is located in the underground tunnel. Then it's said that the killer had put that clue in the tunnel. How???
Arthur Godfrey guest stars as a business associate of the murder victim. He gets a terrific line regarding a bathtub. Very unexpected, considering the 1975 filming date. Too bad his character isn't given much else to do.
Ellery deals with an unwanted tag-along, would-be author. She's seeking advice for her romance novel. Ellery is at first dismissive of her as her appearance is more like that of a studious young man. Later she shows up in a beautiful evening gown and flowing hairstyle. Ellery then happily realizes she is definitely all woman. These two might just hit it off fine, providing Inspector Queen with a fine, new daughter-in-law. She's never seen again.
Jim Hutton and David Wayne carry the episode. They are excellent, as usual. They just could have used a bit more help when it came to the script.