Jessica must find the murderer of her close friend whose will is in contention between family and a popular evangelist.Jessica must find the murderer of her close friend whose will is in contention between family and a popular evangelist.Jessica must find the murderer of her close friend whose will is in contention between family and a popular evangelist.
Photos
Belinda Beatty
- Ethel O'Neil
- (as Belinha Beatty)
Don Brodie
- Neighbor
- (as Don L. Brodie)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMildred Natwick co-starred alongside Angela Lansbury in The Court Jester (1955) starring Danny Kaye. The characters played by Natwick and Lansbury comment that it's been 30 years since they saw each other, a nod to their time working on the movie.
- GoofsWhen Jessica is comparing Carrie's handwritten letter to her Last Will and Testament, the supposed "will" is actually what appears to be a page from a transcript of one of Jessica's books. The "will" starts with "It was a dark and stormy night in Cabot Cove. I sat in my favorite rocker contemplating the evenings happenings with anxiety and regret."
- Quotes
[last lines]
Rev. Willie John Fargo: I've decided to go away for awhile... to Africa, Asia, South America, any place the simple folks need me.
Jessica Fletcher: Well, I will you luck, Willie John, and I hope that you find what you're looking for.
Rev. Willie John Fargo: Oh, I will, Miss Jessica. I will, indeed, the good Lord willing.
- ConnectionsEdited from The Incredible Hulk: The First (1981)
- SoundtracksMurder She Wrote Theme
Written by John Addison
Featured review
Will the Real Will Rile Willie John?
This episode features one of the last appearances by stage, screen and television star Mildred Natwick, in her delightful performance as Carrie McKittrick.
In its back story, Carrie had served as a schoolteacher, who encouraged Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) to teach and to write. Carrie had gone on to settle in Oklahoma, to marry widowed farmer Wendall McKittrick, who struck oil on his land, to incur wealth. Wendall's son, Carrie's stepson, Harvey McKittrick (Richard Herd) continues in the oil business some fifteen years after Wendall's passing. Carries hasn't seen Jessica in more than thirty years by now, but they continued to correspond, and Carrie has told her that if she ever crosses through Oklahoma, to stop by for a pleasant visit.
Upon Jessica's stopover to Cherokee Flats, Oklahoma, in the Tulsa region, Carrie informs her that she has met "the most wonderful man," a local televangelist who ministers to the masses through his Church of the Electric Cathedral.
Reverend Willie John Fargo (Steve Forrest), along with his wife, Sister Ruth Fargo (Judy Geeson), and his business manager/brother Earl Fargo (Frank Bonner) has created an empire, consisting of television studio, hospital, soup kitchen and three clinics on a nearby reservation. And now Carrie has named Willie John in her will as sole beneficiary to her estate.
Carrie's stepson, Harvey, and grandson, Sam McKittrick (Art Hindle) adamantly oppose Carrie's bequeathing her fortune to Willie John Fargo. Sam's wife, Alice McKittrick (Jeannie Wilson) befriends Jessica, confiding Sam's cruelty toward her.
Dr. Mark Brady (Jack Bannon) operates the hospital on the grounds of the Electric Cathedral, with capable Nurse Sue Beth (Barbi Benton) near at hand.
And after the night of a "Murder in the Electric Cathedral," District Attorney Fred Whittaker (Dick Van Patten) welcomes Jessica's assistance to investigate clues in the absence of his police force, and in the presence of the mounting feud between McKittrick oil interests and the Electric Cathedral ministry, often battled in hospital corridors.
Rounding out the guest cast, the character of Maid Ethel O'Neil (Belinda Beatty) witnesses one of the will documents, and secretary at the D.A.'s office, Tammy Lee (Jill Hill), provides information leading to additional clues.
"Murder in the Electric Cathedral" earns points for convincing acting, meticulous directing, well-scripted dialogue, sharp fashion and beautiful segue music.
In its back story, Carrie had served as a schoolteacher, who encouraged Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) to teach and to write. Carrie had gone on to settle in Oklahoma, to marry widowed farmer Wendall McKittrick, who struck oil on his land, to incur wealth. Wendall's son, Carrie's stepson, Harvey McKittrick (Richard Herd) continues in the oil business some fifteen years after Wendall's passing. Carries hasn't seen Jessica in more than thirty years by now, but they continued to correspond, and Carrie has told her that if she ever crosses through Oklahoma, to stop by for a pleasant visit.
Upon Jessica's stopover to Cherokee Flats, Oklahoma, in the Tulsa region, Carrie informs her that she has met "the most wonderful man," a local televangelist who ministers to the masses through his Church of the Electric Cathedral.
Reverend Willie John Fargo (Steve Forrest), along with his wife, Sister Ruth Fargo (Judy Geeson), and his business manager/brother Earl Fargo (Frank Bonner) has created an empire, consisting of television studio, hospital, soup kitchen and three clinics on a nearby reservation. And now Carrie has named Willie John in her will as sole beneficiary to her estate.
Carrie's stepson, Harvey, and grandson, Sam McKittrick (Art Hindle) adamantly oppose Carrie's bequeathing her fortune to Willie John Fargo. Sam's wife, Alice McKittrick (Jeannie Wilson) befriends Jessica, confiding Sam's cruelty toward her.
Dr. Mark Brady (Jack Bannon) operates the hospital on the grounds of the Electric Cathedral, with capable Nurse Sue Beth (Barbi Benton) near at hand.
And after the night of a "Murder in the Electric Cathedral," District Attorney Fred Whittaker (Dick Van Patten) welcomes Jessica's assistance to investigate clues in the absence of his police force, and in the presence of the mounting feud between McKittrick oil interests and the Electric Cathedral ministry, often battled in hospital corridors.
Rounding out the guest cast, the character of Maid Ethel O'Neil (Belinda Beatty) witnesses one of the will documents, and secretary at the D.A.'s office, Tammy Lee (Jill Hill), provides information leading to additional clues.
"Murder in the Electric Cathedral" earns points for convincing acting, meticulous directing, well-scripted dialogue, sharp fashion and beautiful segue music.
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- WeatherViolet
- Aug 30, 2009
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