Episode 8, "The Adventure of the Mad Tea Party," was apparently the only entry to be based on an actual Ellery Queen story. Ellery travels to Long Island for a weekend with Spencer Lockridge (Edward Andrews), who wants to finalize a deal to turn the Queen story "The Adventure of the Alabaster Apple" into a stage play starring his young protégé, Emmy Reinhart (Julie Sommars). Upon arrival, the author finds the entire household doing a rehearsal of Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland," as a birthday tribute to Spencer's nephew Johnny (George Janek). Emmy comes on to Ellery, in a failed attempt to 'discuss' her part in the upcoming play. Still costumed as The Mad Hatter, Spencer disappears during the night, and everyone fears kidnapping and ransom. Larry Hagman plays the architect, Paul Gardner, who has been having an affair with Spencer's wife, Laura (Rhonda Fleming), apparently with the consent of Mrs. Gardner (Patricia Smith). Laura's mother, Mrs. Leticia Allingham (Carmen Mathews), complains bitterly about Spencer's extravagance with her money. The great Jim Backus plays Howard Biggers, who accompanies Ellery on the train trip, spooking the frightened conductor (Olan Soule) with their talk of murder, and Julius W. Harris ("Live and Let Die") shows up as the fearsome butler Doyle. David Wayne makes only a brief appearance as Inspector Queen, ditto Tom Reese as Sergeant Velie and Nina Roman (unbilled) as secretary Grace. Incidentally, David Wayne himself played The Mad Hatter in four half hour episodes of the 60s BATMAN series.
7 Reviews
The Eyes Of A Murderer (Gives It Away)
chashans16 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Apparently this episode is the only one of the series based on an actual EQ novel. A bit odd in that there is little mystery as to who the murderer is. A party-host who goes missing. A newly renovated mansion. The shifty-eyed architect who blueprinted the renovation is an attendee of the party. Yes, it's quite easy for the viewer to figure this mystery out even prior to the disappearance of the host.
Still, there's enough fun here to keep the viewer entertained. Jim Backus (Mr. Magoo, Mr. Howell, Mr. Fitzgerald himself) is along for the ride. Literally, as his character accompanies Ellery on a train journey to the Party Mansion. The two have a terrific conversation regarding the murder victims in Ellery's books. Unfortunately, a Train Conductor who is just trying to do his job, overhears only part of the conversation and shirks off, wide-eyed and terrified.
Ellery arrives at the mansion to find the host and other guests practicing for a play intended for an audience of one, the host's grandson. They are all in various costumes imagined from the Alice In Wonderland books. Ellery's there to discuss with the host plans for turning one of Ellery's novels into a professional play.
The two don't get far with their negotiations as the host goes missing. Ellery gets to do some good time sleuthing as he searches the mansion and it's grounds for the missing man. There's much intrigue here including a Smiling Chesire Cat clock, an actual looking glass, a non-delivered safe and unwanted mysterious packages delivered at the most awkward of times to the party guests. There's also the missing host's Mother-in-law who regards her son-in-law with high contempt. Always fun when there's a nasty Mother-in-law present to spit scorn and ridicule, and also be considered a suspect in kidnapping and murder!
Then there's the moment that everyone in the mansion goes down for the count, all mysteriously knocked unconscious at the same time. Ellery is the first to awaken and he proceeds to go around the room, checking the eyes of all the others. Note that he doesn't check for a pulse. This is because the script is using this moment to provide the viewers with a clue. One of the unconscious guests gives a slight reaction to Ellery tugging on their eyelid. It's a movement of the eye which could easily be missed. This certain guest is obviously not unconscious, but is pretending to be as this turns out to be the murderer. A very sly move by the production. (A move which could be mistaken as a "goof" on the part of the actor, but very much purposely intended.) But why would the kidnapper/murderer(?) have need to render everyone unconscious? Even the towering and wonderfully menacing butler is laid out on the floor of the kitchens.
Oddly, there is the presence in the story of the Party Host's grandson. Or rather, lack of presence. Sometimes the kid is there, making a pest of himself. Sometimes he himself disappears, just like his Grandfather. But the child's disappearance is only because the script seems to forget that he exists. However, you have to appreciate a script which includes a moment for the lead to put the fear of a good thrashing into the worried mind of a willfully incredibly annoying child.
Another oddity is that the trip on the train from New York City to the location of the Party Mansion comes across as an hours long journey. Later though, Ellery's Inspector Father and his police crew show up for the "Big Reveal" festivities. It is mentioned that the Party Mansion is indeed located in Inspector Queen's jurisdiction. That is one gigantic area to have to patrol!
Yes, a good episode with lots to appreciate including some great wacky performances by some of the guest stars. If only the identity of the eventual murderer wasn't so obvious.
Still, there's enough fun here to keep the viewer entertained. Jim Backus (Mr. Magoo, Mr. Howell, Mr. Fitzgerald himself) is along for the ride. Literally, as his character accompanies Ellery on a train journey to the Party Mansion. The two have a terrific conversation regarding the murder victims in Ellery's books. Unfortunately, a Train Conductor who is just trying to do his job, overhears only part of the conversation and shirks off, wide-eyed and terrified.
Ellery arrives at the mansion to find the host and other guests practicing for a play intended for an audience of one, the host's grandson. They are all in various costumes imagined from the Alice In Wonderland books. Ellery's there to discuss with the host plans for turning one of Ellery's novels into a professional play.
The two don't get far with their negotiations as the host goes missing. Ellery gets to do some good time sleuthing as he searches the mansion and it's grounds for the missing man. There's much intrigue here including a Smiling Chesire Cat clock, an actual looking glass, a non-delivered safe and unwanted mysterious packages delivered at the most awkward of times to the party guests. There's also the missing host's Mother-in-law who regards her son-in-law with high contempt. Always fun when there's a nasty Mother-in-law present to spit scorn and ridicule, and also be considered a suspect in kidnapping and murder!
Then there's the moment that everyone in the mansion goes down for the count, all mysteriously knocked unconscious at the same time. Ellery is the first to awaken and he proceeds to go around the room, checking the eyes of all the others. Note that he doesn't check for a pulse. This is because the script is using this moment to provide the viewers with a clue. One of the unconscious guests gives a slight reaction to Ellery tugging on their eyelid. It's a movement of the eye which could easily be missed. This certain guest is obviously not unconscious, but is pretending to be as this turns out to be the murderer. A very sly move by the production. (A move which could be mistaken as a "goof" on the part of the actor, but very much purposely intended.) But why would the kidnapper/murderer(?) have need to render everyone unconscious? Even the towering and wonderfully menacing butler is laid out on the floor of the kitchens.
Oddly, there is the presence in the story of the Party Host's grandson. Or rather, lack of presence. Sometimes the kid is there, making a pest of himself. Sometimes he himself disappears, just like his Grandfather. But the child's disappearance is only because the script seems to forget that he exists. However, you have to appreciate a script which includes a moment for the lead to put the fear of a good thrashing into the worried mind of a willfully incredibly annoying child.
Another oddity is that the trip on the train from New York City to the location of the Party Mansion comes across as an hours long journey. Later though, Ellery's Inspector Father and his police crew show up for the "Big Reveal" festivities. It is mentioned that the Party Mansion is indeed located in Inspector Queen's jurisdiction. That is one gigantic area to have to patrol!
Yes, a good episode with lots to appreciate including some great wacky performances by some of the guest stars. If only the identity of the eventual murderer wasn't so obvious.
The Memory Doesn't Cheat!
Gislef15 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, I remember this episode, one of the few of the EQ series, when it first aired. Which I suppose dates me.
It's probably stuck in my memory because it's a near-perfect episode of the series. It's probably because it was one of the few episodes of the series that was pretty much "borrowed" from one of the original EQ stories. Peter Fischer has done a lot in the TV mystery genre, most memorably in 'Columbo' where he did "Publish or Perish", "Negative Reaction", "A Friend in Deed", "An Exercise in Futility", and "A Deadly State of Mind". Not to mention "Old-Fashioned Murder". Granted, Fischer also worked on the newer series, but nobody's perfect.
Fischer basically writes three mysteries into this episode: what happened to Spencer Lockridge, what's the answer to the disappearing clock reflection, and who and why is leaving off the seemingly random clues in the back half of the episode? To Fischer's credit, he weaves all three of these in and out.
Which is good, because the characters aren't that thrilling. Larry Hagman isn't that good, but then I've never thought he was that good an actor. More Shatner than Olivier, as it were. So for Hagman, Hagman here is... average. Nobody except Julie Sommars as Emmy (who has a different hairstyle and outfit in each appearance: maybe her hairdresser and/or costumer are the killer?) makes much of an impression. Although Carmen Matthews as Letitia gets in a few good jobs and appears to have fun doing them.
Fischer basically lays out all the clues, and a lot of little things pay off later. Like Velie's disappearance, and the rain, and the Lewis Carroll theme. The absence of David Wayne is noticeable, but it does give Jim Hutton more opportunity so shine. Ellery isn't a great character, but he's stripped of his annoying absent-mindedness for most of the episode. I also like how Ellery is more a proactive member of the ensemble. For once he's doing something, rather than just standing around and putting together the clues, while Richard and Velie do the legwork.
There are only two flaws to the episode that I can tell. The first minor one is that Ellery keeps his father in the dark. Why? This makes for an annoying conflict that never really pays off.
The bigger flaw is the character of Johnny. The boy serves no purpose to the plot as far as I can tell. He seems to be more a fan of gangsters than Lewis Carroll, but the "Tea Party" is for him. The boy, and the actor, are annoying in their few scenes. Johnny wears a beanie, which makes him look like an 'Animal House' pledge. Lord help us, were beanies ever a fad? If so, I fear for the human race.
Also, Johnny disappears and reappears and then disappears. Where are his parents? And where was he for the nine hours between 10 (am?) and 7 (pm?) when everyone else was drugged? Or do I have the times reversed? That means everyone (including the butler, Doyle?) were drinking coffee at 10 pm at night? Maybe Johnny was just a heavy sleeper and some of the others liked drinking caffeine at 10 pm at night.
Johnny serves no plot purpose when he's on-screen. He's the reason that Spencer is throwing the Mad Tea Party, but most of the time he is apparently left to his own devices. It comes across as near-child abandonment, except Johnny is so obnoxious that it's hard to care.
Despite those two problems, the mystery at hand, and Ellery doing something proactive, more than make up for it. The Richard/secretiveness and Johnny/obnoxiousness are only on-screen briefly, so don't detract much from the overall story.
But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?
It's probably stuck in my memory because it's a near-perfect episode of the series. It's probably because it was one of the few episodes of the series that was pretty much "borrowed" from one of the original EQ stories. Peter Fischer has done a lot in the TV mystery genre, most memorably in 'Columbo' where he did "Publish or Perish", "Negative Reaction", "A Friend in Deed", "An Exercise in Futility", and "A Deadly State of Mind". Not to mention "Old-Fashioned Murder". Granted, Fischer also worked on the newer series, but nobody's perfect.
Fischer basically writes three mysteries into this episode: what happened to Spencer Lockridge, what's the answer to the disappearing clock reflection, and who and why is leaving off the seemingly random clues in the back half of the episode? To Fischer's credit, he weaves all three of these in and out.
Which is good, because the characters aren't that thrilling. Larry Hagman isn't that good, but then I've never thought he was that good an actor. More Shatner than Olivier, as it were. So for Hagman, Hagman here is... average. Nobody except Julie Sommars as Emmy (who has a different hairstyle and outfit in each appearance: maybe her hairdresser and/or costumer are the killer?) makes much of an impression. Although Carmen Matthews as Letitia gets in a few good jobs and appears to have fun doing them.
Fischer basically lays out all the clues, and a lot of little things pay off later. Like Velie's disappearance, and the rain, and the Lewis Carroll theme. The absence of David Wayne is noticeable, but it does give Jim Hutton more opportunity so shine. Ellery isn't a great character, but he's stripped of his annoying absent-mindedness for most of the episode. I also like how Ellery is more a proactive member of the ensemble. For once he's doing something, rather than just standing around and putting together the clues, while Richard and Velie do the legwork.
There are only two flaws to the episode that I can tell. The first minor one is that Ellery keeps his father in the dark. Why? This makes for an annoying conflict that never really pays off.
The bigger flaw is the character of Johnny. The boy serves no purpose to the plot as far as I can tell. He seems to be more a fan of gangsters than Lewis Carroll, but the "Tea Party" is for him. The boy, and the actor, are annoying in their few scenes. Johnny wears a beanie, which makes him look like an 'Animal House' pledge. Lord help us, were beanies ever a fad? If so, I fear for the human race.
Also, Johnny disappears and reappears and then disappears. Where are his parents? And where was he for the nine hours between 10 (am?) and 7 (pm?) when everyone else was drugged? Or do I have the times reversed? That means everyone (including the butler, Doyle?) were drinking coffee at 10 pm at night? Maybe Johnny was just a heavy sleeper and some of the others liked drinking caffeine at 10 pm at night.
Johnny serves no plot purpose when he's on-screen. He's the reason that Spencer is throwing the Mad Tea Party, but most of the time he is apparently left to his own devices. It comes across as near-child abandonment, except Johnny is so obnoxious that it's hard to care.
Despite those two problems, the mystery at hand, and Ellery doing something proactive, more than make up for it. The Richard/secretiveness and Johnny/obnoxiousness are only on-screen briefly, so don't detract much from the overall story.
But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?
Kiddie Format Produces Adult Murder
DKosty1239 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Not just based on the Ellery Queen short story, but a lot of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland & Through The Looking Glass thrown in, this is a very strong episode. The guest cast is loaded too. Veterans Edward Andrews, Jim Backus, & Rhonda Fleming are supported as well with Larry Hagman & Julie Sommars.
The murder in this one is not official until the end of the show. It is officially a disappearance. Ellery is right in the middle of it as he alone has to put together the clues that lead to the killer. Interesting that the Mad Hatter is the missing one. Queen actual plays the suspects like a parlor game to solve this one. A top notch episode in the series, not too be missed.
David Wayne did a turn on Batman earlier than this as The Mad Hatter. He is not needed to do so in this one.
The murder in this one is not official until the end of the show. It is officially a disappearance. Ellery is right in the middle of it as he alone has to put together the clues that lead to the killer. Interesting that the Mad Hatter is the missing one. Queen actual plays the suspects like a parlor game to solve this one. A top notch episode in the series, not too be missed.
David Wayne did a turn on Batman earlier than this as The Mad Hatter. He is not needed to do so in this one.
My favorite episode.
wkozak22111 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This is my favorite episode next to the pilot. I like the episode from start to finish. Everyone is good except for IMO Larry Hagman. His acting is really poor here. I don't know why. Also, one thing I still can't figure out is who are Johnny's parents? I don't think they are in the episode.
Despite a strong supporting cast, this episode is only average
Paularoc22 March 2013
Theatrical producer Spencer Lockridge is producing a play based on one of Ellery's books and has invited Ellery down to his mansion for the week-end. Upon arriving at the Lockridge home, Ellery finds his host dressed as the Mad Hatter and the host's wife and guests are dressed as other characters from Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. They are rehearsing a play to amuse Lockridge's young nephew for his birthday the following day. In the night, Spencer Lockridge disappears - did he leave on his own, was he kidnapped or was he murdered? Great guest cast especially Jim Backus, Rhonda Fleming, and Larry Hagman. But the episode falls a bit flat and it has an annoying kid in it. For one thing, David Wayne as Inspector Queen is just in a couple of scenes and Tom Reese as Sgt. Velie has only about one line at the end of the show. Jim Hutton is just not engaging enough to carry the show by himself - he needs Wayne and to a lesser extent, Reese. Also, this show doesn't have s sufficient late 1940s feel to it as do other episodes such as the ones with radio show backgrounds or set in a comic book office. Still entertaining but not one of the best episodes.
What happened to the Mad Hatter?
aramis-112-80488017 April 2024
When a wealthy backer of Ellery's play (Edward Andrews) disappears, Ellery Queen (Jim Hutton) has to determine if he's dead or alive.
This is possibly the best episode of the series, coming as it does fron a genuine Ellery Queen story.
On a personal note, it's the first episode of the series I saw, finding it by accident when it first aired. So I do have a special affection for this episode that may be corrupting my judgment. But it's a solid mystery with a star-studded cast. And a literary subtext that tickles my fancy. And a shocking moment in the climax.
One disappointment: one of the joys of this series is Hutton's chemistry with David Wayne, playing his no-nonsense father. Unfortunately, Wayne is tardy about showing up for this episode.
This is possibly the best episode of the series, coming as it does fron a genuine Ellery Queen story.
On a personal note, it's the first episode of the series I saw, finding it by accident when it first aired. So I do have a special affection for this episode that may be corrupting my judgment. But it's a solid mystery with a star-studded cast. And a literary subtext that tickles my fancy. And a shocking moment in the climax.
One disappointment: one of the joys of this series is Hutton's chemistry with David Wayne, playing his no-nonsense father. Unfortunately, Wayne is tardy about showing up for this episode.
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