User Reviews

Recommended for Wild Wild West fans of the 1960's this one features not only Ross Martin, but Neimeih Persoff and Simon Oakland all from the 1960's series. Throw in a mansion set that was used very often on West, and an interior that was too and you've got quite a reunion show.

The Pharoah's curse has claimed 6 victims and is taking a seventh in Simon Oakland. Or is it a curse? Simon Brimmer speaks with Oakland shortly before his death and suspects otherwise. Ellery Queen then gets in on the Hunt. Ross Martin gets to profess his love for June Lockheart (Lassie's Mom, Danger Danger) in order to provide an alibi even though the police aren't even asking for one. That makes things look a little off as the police think this was a heart attack not a curse.

When you put this all together it is an entertaining episode.

Another good episode featuring lots of well known faces of the 1960's and 70's. And then there's one well known face from the 1980's, 90's and the 2020's! No, I didn't recognize John Larroquette in his pre-fame "cameo" as the bellhop. It wasn't until his name appeared in the end credits. Of course I went back and rewatched his scene. And yes, that's him and his quirky way of delivering lines, as later presented in his portrayal of "Night Court" character Dan Fielding, is already right there for the viewer's enjoyment.

Simon Oakland gets a bit more time on screen than a lot of the Ellery Queen murder victims. And his own quirky way of delivering lines - shouting them - is right there too. Ross Martin amazes with a wacky accent and makes the most of his scenes. June Lockhart looks terrific in 1940's fashion and lovely hair style. Always an actress who could really deliver.

The episode is certainly atmospheric, thanks to the sets of a dark and creepy museum. We even get the sight of a frightening mummy which comes supplied with an evil and extremely successful curse. The curse has killed off 6 previous unfortunate victims and Simon Oakland gets in line to become the 7th.

Ellery gets to do some nice skulking about, accompanied by a temporary secretary. She, somewhat surprisingly, never falls into the Mystery Writer's arms. It's nice to have a pretty and intelligent female character join Ellery's circle without locking lips with him. This episode sets up an enlightening relationship between the two. Surely this will lead viewers to tune in week to week, overflowing with curiousity to find out, "will they or won't they" fall passionately in love with one another? She's never seen again.

The "Big Reveal" of the murder at first seems to come from out of the wild blue yonder. But it then makes sense when it turns out that the motive actually does.

Ross Martin was on that show as a regular, and Nehemiah Persoff and Simon Oakland (Tony Vincenzo's father was an airplane manufacturer in the 40s?) both played bad guys on WWW. So it's a reunion of sorts. Add in June Lockhart, and you've got a bigger cast than the one in the previous "Veronica's Veils".

It's a pity that they're wasted on a piffle of a case. As is the case with most EQ episodes, "Pharaoh's Curse" isn't a complete waste. Oakland seems to be having fun, but nobody else really does anything. Ross Martin reaches into his bag of accents but doesn't do anything else, and Persoff plays yet another stereotypical foreigner. Persoff was often a go-to for those kind of roles by casting directors, although more as Russians, Jews, and Germans than Egyptians. Lockhart is... well, Lockhart.

And yes, John Larroquette has a "blink and you'll miss it" role. Like most of his pre-'Night Court' roles.

The idea of a mummy, or someone walking around dressed as a mummy, is a red herring of sorts. In-episode, it even misleads Simon who, as usual, is wrong about who the killer is. John Hillerman doesn't have much to do other than perfect his "snob" routine that he would do well on 'Magnum PI'.

There are some cute comedy bits, like Ellery and Richard going through a coffee routine where Richard pours out the pot that Ellery has made, and Ellery pouring himself a cup without noticing there's no longer anything in the pot. But otherwise, Ellery doesn't have much to do. Maybe Nancy Belle Fuller was brought in to play Margie because Hutton actually did injure his finger. Nothing comes from Margie's presence in the episode. I like how she's Ellery's unofficial continuity editor, but we never see her again so who cares?

Then again, she corrects Ellery's writing, which strikes me as a mistake. Isn't he supposed to be good at solving crimes because he's a great writer? But if he needs a glorified secretary to correct his writing... well, I see where the writers were going. "Ha ha, Ellery is such an absent-minded dweeb!" But casually undermining your main character for a gag is verboten in my book.

David Wayne doesn't get much to do, except naysay Ellery's suspicions that Norris was murdered. And the aforementioned comedy scene. Jim Hutton is, like he has been so far on the show, affable, but Ellery isn't a meaty role. Mark Dawdiziak once said that each 'Columbo' episode was Peter Falk playing a different variation on the Columbo character. Hutton never gets the chance to show us different sides of Ellery, despite the fact that Levinson and Link did both shows. The writers seem intent on telling us that Ellery is a writer. Over and over and over again.

But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?