And this brings us to the first appearance of Emma McGill, identical cousin Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), whom she hasn't seen in many years. The glamorous Emma with thick British dialect and neo-Victorian costuming has performed musically on piano and, primarily through vocals, and doesn't quite ward off her string of admiring suitors as readily as her more reserved American cousin often may. For many years to follow, fans have often asked who plays this uncredited role of Emma McGill although many realize her identity from the start, and now IMDb lets the cat out of the bag via its thorough cast crediting.
In the back-story, Emma McGill and a Mr. Weems have founded London UK's Mayhew Theater and Music Hall Auditorium as equal partners, and after his passing, she continues to perform before dwindling audiences, while maintaining with the son of her late partner, her staff plus a fellow performer, who may have seen better days, but holds designs of his own toward the charitable Emma.
Bridget O'Hara (Glynis Johns) serves in the capacity of the Mayhew's wardrobe coordinator. She sees the writing on the wall that the theatre appears doomed but holds out to receive any possible benefits of her rewards for dedicating her career to Emma and Mr. Weems.
Archie Weems (Kenneth Danziger) has been handling his late father's estate and business dealings which it entails, by maintaining the books and ledgers backstage, while his wife, Violet Weems (Sarah Douglas) discourages Archie from keeping the losing venture in operation even though it holds sentimental value of sorts to Archie, who realizes that Emma cherishes performing. When a conglomerate bids to purchase the Mayhew, Violet attempts to dissuade Archie from siding with Emma to maintain the performance hall.
Oliver Trumbull (Patrick Macnee) provides the warm-up act with his comic routine of yore, to which a scant audience attempts to appreciate without much avail for this once-Shakespearean actor, who no longer finds an opportunity in a theatric company.
Oliver's overly-protective daughter, Kitty Trumbull (Olivia Hussey) adores her father and visits him in London each week, after spending the remainder of her time with her husband and children in a different English community several miles from the city.
One evening in particular, Oliver appears on stage, to receive a modest, polite applause, which Kitty deems disappointing, therefore encouraging her father to retire, while Emma receives all the more raves for her rendition of "Goodbye Little Yellow Bird." Within the span of a few week's time, three attempts are made upon Emma's life, she narrowly escaping....
But now back in Cabot Cove, Jessica Fletcher receives a heart-breaking overseas telephone from her cousin's Attorney, Ernest Fielding (Kristoffer Tabori), who gives his condolences for the loss of Emma, who has succumbed to injuries sustained from an automobile mishap, and mentions that Emma has requested in her will for Jessica to attend her services, as well as to act as her estate executor.
Danny Briggs (Gregory Paul Martin) meets Jessica at the London airport, he holding a sign bearing her name, and realizing the shared physical resemblance. When Danny attempts to persuade Jessica to sell Emma's share of the Mayhew, she explains that she has just arrived and must attend the services, before considering financial matters.
Ernest Fielding arrives by tinted-window limousine in time to whisk Jessica away from Danny, and requests that Jessica assume a seat in the rear, into which she looks, as a figure in mourning lifts her veil to present herself as long-forgotten Cousin Emma.
At Emma's apartment-in-hiding, she and Ernest explain the elaborate charade as a cover to weed out the perpetrator of those attempts made upon Emma's life. Emma would remain in seclusion under police protection, while Jessica assists Ernest in the investigation.
But while Jessica visits the Mayhew to announce that she's acting on Emma's behalf, Emma breaches security by attempting to communicate with Oliver that she remains, in fact, alive and well, but in hiding.
Jessica and Ernest then ride to Emma's actual apartment, before which they witness an automobile/pedestrian encounter, leaving a body on the sidewalk, and a murder to solve.
Inspector Roger Crimmins (Barrie Ingham) handles Scotland Yard's investigative responsibilities, while Jessica attempts to piece together clues to figure the perpetrator, who has been attempting to "Sing a Song of Murder."
The cast is rounded out by Gillian Eaton as Landlady, Terrence Scammell as Director, Richard Davies as First Tough, Neil Hunt as Tough #2, John Straightley as Police Sergeant, David Grant Hayward as Policeman, and Ron Southart as Plainclothesman.
Those who portray the Tough or law enforcement officers in this episode have made very few television and film appearances: This episode marks one of four credits for Richard Davies, one of only four acting credits to date by John Straightley, the first acting credit for David Grant Hayward, and the first of only two television acting credits to date for Ron Southart (both on "MSW").
In the back-story, Emma McGill and a Mr. Weems have founded London UK's Mayhew Theater and Music Hall Auditorium as equal partners, and after his passing, she continues to perform before dwindling audiences, while maintaining with the son of her late partner, her staff plus a fellow performer, who may have seen better days, but holds designs of his own toward the charitable Emma.
Bridget O'Hara (Glynis Johns) serves in the capacity of the Mayhew's wardrobe coordinator. She sees the writing on the wall that the theatre appears doomed but holds out to receive any possible benefits of her rewards for dedicating her career to Emma and Mr. Weems.
Archie Weems (Kenneth Danziger) has been handling his late father's estate and business dealings which it entails, by maintaining the books and ledgers backstage, while his wife, Violet Weems (Sarah Douglas) discourages Archie from keeping the losing venture in operation even though it holds sentimental value of sorts to Archie, who realizes that Emma cherishes performing. When a conglomerate bids to purchase the Mayhew, Violet attempts to dissuade Archie from siding with Emma to maintain the performance hall.
Oliver Trumbull (Patrick Macnee) provides the warm-up act with his comic routine of yore, to which a scant audience attempts to appreciate without much avail for this once-Shakespearean actor, who no longer finds an opportunity in a theatric company.
Oliver's overly-protective daughter, Kitty Trumbull (Olivia Hussey) adores her father and visits him in London each week, after spending the remainder of her time with her husband and children in a different English community several miles from the city.
One evening in particular, Oliver appears on stage, to receive a modest, polite applause, which Kitty deems disappointing, therefore encouraging her father to retire, while Emma receives all the more raves for her rendition of "Goodbye Little Yellow Bird." Within the span of a few week's time, three attempts are made upon Emma's life, she narrowly escaping....
But now back in Cabot Cove, Jessica Fletcher receives a heart-breaking overseas telephone from her cousin's Attorney, Ernest Fielding (Kristoffer Tabori), who gives his condolences for the loss of Emma, who has succumbed to injuries sustained from an automobile mishap, and mentions that Emma has requested in her will for Jessica to attend her services, as well as to act as her estate executor.
Danny Briggs (Gregory Paul Martin) meets Jessica at the London airport, he holding a sign bearing her name, and realizing the shared physical resemblance. When Danny attempts to persuade Jessica to sell Emma's share of the Mayhew, she explains that she has just arrived and must attend the services, before considering financial matters.
Ernest Fielding arrives by tinted-window limousine in time to whisk Jessica away from Danny, and requests that Jessica assume a seat in the rear, into which she looks, as a figure in mourning lifts her veil to present herself as long-forgotten Cousin Emma.
At Emma's apartment-in-hiding, she and Ernest explain the elaborate charade as a cover to weed out the perpetrator of those attempts made upon Emma's life. Emma would remain in seclusion under police protection, while Jessica assists Ernest in the investigation.
But while Jessica visits the Mayhew to announce that she's acting on Emma's behalf, Emma breaches security by attempting to communicate with Oliver that she remains, in fact, alive and well, but in hiding.
Jessica and Ernest then ride to Emma's actual apartment, before which they witness an automobile/pedestrian encounter, leaving a body on the sidewalk, and a murder to solve.
Inspector Roger Crimmins (Barrie Ingham) handles Scotland Yard's investigative responsibilities, while Jessica attempts to piece together clues to figure the perpetrator, who has been attempting to "Sing a Song of Murder."
The cast is rounded out by Gillian Eaton as Landlady, Terrence Scammell as Director, Richard Davies as First Tough, Neil Hunt as Tough #2, John Straightley as Police Sergeant, David Grant Hayward as Policeman, and Ron Southart as Plainclothesman.
Those who portray the Tough or law enforcement officers in this episode have made very few television and film appearances: This episode marks one of four credits for Richard Davies, one of only four acting credits to date by John Straightley, the first acting credit for David Grant Hayward, and the first of only two television acting credits to date for Ron Southart (both on "MSW").
