Customer Reviews

Ellery Queen Mysteries - Complete Series

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those of you who were too young to read Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine as a child, you're in for a real treat w/ these DVD's based on those short stories. Like a true mystery, the viewer is introduced to the suspects at the beginning as well as the victim. Then throughout the hour the viewer is presented w/ clues, some obvious, some more subtle. Then Ellery (Jim Hutton) faces the camera reviews the clues and challenges the viewer to solve the mystery, before him. Finally, the suspects are gathered in a room and like Poirot, one by one they are eliminated until the murderer is revealed. Suddenly the clues seem obvious and the mystery ridiculously easy to solve. This set is fun and a real brain-teaser.!

This is the 3rd and best adeptation of Ellery Queen brought to TV and the most irrisistable. First heard on the radio in the '30's, the series came to TV during the war and this final series featured on the small screen from 1975-76 is set in 1947. For some there is the air of nostalga about the setting others a (painless) lesson in history of post-war New York.

Ellery (Jim Hutchinson) is portrayed as an absent-minded, but brillian sleuth who helps his father Inspector Queen (David Wayne) to solve murders. As well as the cast of characters from the E. Q. novels and short stories, there is a famous supporting cast including Vincent Price, Don Ameche, Dana Andrews, George Burns, Vera Miles, Eva Gabor, Roddy McDowall, Ed McMahon, Sal Mineo, Donald O'Conner, Ida Lupino, Cesar Romaro, Eve Arden, Ray Milland, Betty White, Joan Collins and many others.

DVD set contains 6 discs, digitally remastered and includes a booklet outlining the authors, history of Ellery Queen, pictures of the cast and a synopsis of each story. There is also a special feature by the co-producer, William Link who with his partner Levison will go on to create Columbo and Murder She Wrote.

I am a great fan of Jim Hutton's son Timothy, in his role as Archie Goodwin in the Nero Wolfe series, so I wanted to revisit the Ellery Queen Mysteries. They are the kind of murder/mystery I prefer - no gratuitous violence, a little comedic element and being able to watch a number of older actors who are no longer with us. I have no regrets about buying this series and would highly recommend it.

must be taken with a grain of salt, actually several grains of salt. First the good: It's very watchable, has all the elements of a classic whodunit - the murder, the introduction of suspects, carefully laid out clues, and then the gathering of all the suspects to finally reveal the culprit. Jim Hutton is awesome as the absent minded, acutely observant, brilliantly dot-connecting, good natured Ellery Queen. Simon Brimmer is his pretentious, ascot wearing, always wrong rival, hilariously portrayed by John Hillerman. The relationship between Ellery and his dad (David Wayne) is always fun to watch..."why don't you go burn yourself some lunch?" Ha! Ha!

Now here are the list of things that make this show quite silly (and thus unrealistic):

(These are not spoilers, no worries.)

1. Why is Inspector Queen so inept and clueless? I am sure he wasn't always like this, or he would have been fired from the force a long time ago. You almost think that he tries to mask his inability to figure out the clues, and the fact that he uses his son shamelessly, with a whole lot of sass and pointy, pointy remarks.

2. How does almost every one of the victims manage to leave a dying clue? Now if I were the murderer, you can bet that I would stick around long enough to finish the job. For crying out loud - just shoot/stab/smash in the head.

3. After Ellery points out the culprit, half of them break down and confess while the other half tries to bolt, even though the only exit is being flanked by cops. Now you would think the murderers, after being accused, would say - "I am not saying another word, I want my damn lawyer."

4. Ellery is NOT a member of the police force. The suspects DO NOT have to answer his questions or let him in the house or accommodate him anyway!

5. How long will it take and how much humiliation must Simon suffer before he figures out that he is ALWAYS wrong and that Ellery is ALWAYS right? Give it up dude.

6. Two words: Rosh Kaleel. (Seriously?)

7. Why does all the episode names start with "The Adventure of...", what adventure, questioning suspects? They should be called "The Mystery of..." Try it out: which sounds better? "The Adventure of the Judas Tree?" or "The Mystery of the Judas Tree?"

You will notice that I have only taken out one star for all the silliness, because the show is really that good and a pleasure to watch. Another plus is the gorgeous DVD case. It's red and shiny and comes with a neat little episode guide.

Get it now! Or wait till the price drops, whichever suits you more.

Having seen a couple of these "Ellery Queen" episodes when they were new, and remembering them fondly, I half expected to be disappointed. After all, this is hardly Powers Booth's "Philip Marlowe", but I have been more than pleasantly surprised. My wife and I love the British mysteries "Lewis" and "Midsomer Mysteries" and find these, especially the pilot film, the equal of the revered English series. Jim Hutton is amazing as the somewhat klutzy brilliant writer/detective while David Wayne is perfection as Inspetor Queen. The mysteries are challenging and never cheat. My wife points out that the details of 1947 era sets are both accurate and detailed. I highly recommend this pleasant, charming, enjoyable show.

I was excited to learn last year that this series was finally coming out on DVD. As a boy, I truly enjoyed watching the program and trying to figure out "who done it". I remember, as well, watching it again later on A&E in the 90's. It was a superbly written show with richly drawn characters and stories. The interaction between the actors of Jim Hutton and David Wayne truly made the show an event. I appreciate having these DVD's so that they can be watched again and again. I wholeheartedly recommend this set!

Bought this DVD set for my sister as she is a great mystery fan. She is probably a bit young to remember the TV series but she is sure enjoying the DVDs. I was wishing I'd bought a set for myself and finally did so. We watched the "Pilot" episode the other night and really enjoyed it. The complete series comes with 6 DVDs, each with more than one episode, and a booklet on the show and the characters portrayed. It was an excellent buy and priced extremely well. If you enjoy mysteries, this is a must. If you remember the TV show then this is an absolute gem to find.

Well-scripted, beautifully cast with an Oscar or Emmy winner in each episode. The model for who-dunnits with the 4th wall-breaking direct-to-audience challenge that became the series hallmark. This was a joy to watch, except for knowing that it was Jim Hutton's last work--the reason why it was not renewed for another season was that he was diagnosed with cancer and could not continue. Worth every penny!!

Ellery Queen is better than I remember it being. The sound and image quality of this reproduction is fantastic. I enjoyed watching this show as a kid with my parents and I enjoy watching it now with my kids; but some things never change, I still can't figure out "who done it".

Lots of fun, lots of old stars, great theme music, just plain fun. Too bad it only ran 1 year