A popular nightclub hypnotist is discovered murdered during a private press-call.A popular nightclub hypnotist is discovered murdered during a private press-call.A popular nightclub hypnotist is discovered murdered during a private press-call.
Photos
José Ferrer
- Cagliostro
- (as Jose Ferrer)
Dianne Travis
- Helsema
- (as Dianne Turley Travis)
Marylou Kenworthy
- Liz
- (as Mary Lou Kenworthy)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaObviously directly inspired by The Thirteenth Chair (1929) starring Bela Lugosi, with the group sitting in a circle in a seance of sorts (here, a trance) and the murder occurring while it's in progress. A knife is the murder weapon in both cases.
- GoofsObvious stunt double in one of the scenes of Jessica on the back of the motorcycle. The stunt double's face is visible and does not look like Angela Lansbury.
- Quotes
[first lines]
Cagliostro: Ladies and gentlemen, observe the power of hypnosis! Now, volunteers, when I clap my hands, you will each become your favorite animal.
- SoundtracksMurder She Wrote Theme
Written by John Addison
Featured review
Knife, Watch, Fireplace Poker -- Jackpot
This episode is set at a Lake Tahoe resort, but whether upon the Nevada or the California side isn't revealed. However, because "Elderly Lady" (Elvia Allman) greets Jessica at the slot machines, one may safely bet upon Nevada.
When Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) arrives to meet publisher's assistant Marilyn, she is greeted by Marilyn's assistant Joan Germaine (Diana Canova), who says that she didn't think that Jessica would meet if she knew that the invitation were forged. Joan's reason is to attempt to convince Jessica to write a Mystery based upon Hypnosis, as practiced by the Great Cagliostro (José Ferrer), who is set to perform at the lodge this evening.
Mrs. Fletcher, in turns, informs Joan that she has no interest in pursuing the matter, but she would stay for the evening now that she's here and not report Joan to the publisher for misrepresentation. Together, they watch Cagliostro's performance, which the enthusiastic Joan records upon audiotape.
Jessica and Joan observe as Cagliostro and his entourage, assistant Sheri Diamond (Elaine Joyce) and bodyguard Zack Bernard (Mayf Nutter) join him in the dining room. where Regina Kellijian (Michelle Phillips) enters and exits, after catching Cagliostro's eye.
Regina's husband, hotel owner Joe Kellijian (Robert Loggia) threatens Cagliostro for chasing after Regina, and attempts to cancel his appearance contract.
Reporters Bud Michaels (Murray Hamilton) and Andy Townsend (Brian Kerwin) have an exchange with Cagliostro, who promises to prove that he's no phony, by welcoming them to his room to grant them an interview under hypnosis.
An apparently drunken Bud tells Andy to round up some of the local reporters, six of whom arrive in time to undergo Cagliostro's experiment in a locked hotel room.
Afterwards, Joan, once again, appeals to Jessica's sense of "Writer's Curiosity" to remain on hand to help to solve a resulting murder.
With the assistance of Psychologist Doctor Lambert (Conrad Janis), Jessica helps Lieutenant Bertcam (Robert Hogan) to follows a trail of treachery, deceit and blackmail, as she questions a long list of suspects, who surely do look guilty, hiding secrets of their own after "Death Casts a Spell."
When Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) arrives to meet publisher's assistant Marilyn, she is greeted by Marilyn's assistant Joan Germaine (Diana Canova), who says that she didn't think that Jessica would meet if she knew that the invitation were forged. Joan's reason is to attempt to convince Jessica to write a Mystery based upon Hypnosis, as practiced by the Great Cagliostro (José Ferrer), who is set to perform at the lodge this evening.
Mrs. Fletcher, in turns, informs Joan that she has no interest in pursuing the matter, but she would stay for the evening now that she's here and not report Joan to the publisher for misrepresentation. Together, they watch Cagliostro's performance, which the enthusiastic Joan records upon audiotape.
Jessica and Joan observe as Cagliostro and his entourage, assistant Sheri Diamond (Elaine Joyce) and bodyguard Zack Bernard (Mayf Nutter) join him in the dining room. where Regina Kellijian (Michelle Phillips) enters and exits, after catching Cagliostro's eye.
Regina's husband, hotel owner Joe Kellijian (Robert Loggia) threatens Cagliostro for chasing after Regina, and attempts to cancel his appearance contract.
Reporters Bud Michaels (Murray Hamilton) and Andy Townsend (Brian Kerwin) have an exchange with Cagliostro, who promises to prove that he's no phony, by welcoming them to his room to grant them an interview under hypnosis.
An apparently drunken Bud tells Andy to round up some of the local reporters, six of whom arrive in time to undergo Cagliostro's experiment in a locked hotel room.
Afterwards, Joan, once again, appeals to Jessica's sense of "Writer's Curiosity" to remain on hand to help to solve a resulting murder.
With the assistance of Psychologist Doctor Lambert (Conrad Janis), Jessica helps Lieutenant Bertcam (Robert Hogan) to follows a trail of treachery, deceit and blackmail, as she questions a long list of suspects, who surely do look guilty, hiding secrets of their own after "Death Casts a Spell."
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- WeatherViolet
- Aug 29, 2009
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