When one of Jessica's former students brings a play based on her novel to Broadway, she finds herself in the middle of a war between two rival critics.When one of Jessica's former students brings a play based on her novel to Broadway, she finds herself in the middle of a war between two rival critics.When one of Jessica's former students brings a play based on her novel to Broadway, she finds herself in the middle of a war between two rival critics.
Photos
- Sergeant
- (as R. J. Arterburn)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIf you look at Elliott's name plate the lettering is in the style of the series credits.The name of the theatre is the Woolcott. Alexander Wollcott was a critic back in the 30s, 40s and 50s.
- GoofsWhen Jessica says "oh no no, I still use my old bucket of bolts typewriter" a laugh is inserted into the middle of the sentence, to hide either a mistake or wrong word and it is very obvious. Angela Lansbury bobbles her line slightly when she says, "Oh, no, no. I still my use my good old bucket of bolts." It sounds as if "Jessica" chuckles at the joke she just made about her typewriter, or, less likely, that Angela chuckled about slightly flubbing her line.
- Quotes
[first lines]
Eliot Easterbrook: Good evening. Elliot Easterbrook with your "Live At 5:00 Mini Cam" at the Woolcott Theatre. Do you know that it has been said that the theater is a temple? If so, it is a temple which has frequently worshiped false gods. Only time and astute critical judgment will tell if "Mainely Murder", which opens here tomorrow night, will honor the gods or, yet again, profane them.
- SoundtracksMurder She Wrote Theme
Written by John Addison
Producer Shayne Grant (pronouned "Shay-nah") (Carole Cook), with playwright and author on hand, receives condescending theatre critic Eliot Easterbrook (Dean Stockwell), to interview the trio on stage for his "Live at Five" television commentary. Eliot also presents theatre reviews during his 11 PM telecast.
Director Jason Richards (Lloyd Bochner) and publicist Barney Mapost (Rich Little) add their respective professional touches to the production, as Shayne and Walter attempt to convince Jessica that inferior edits may be corrected but probably not in time for tomorrow's opening night.
Newspaper theatre critic Danny O'Mara (John DiSanti) and his assistant, Denise Quinlan (Christopher Norris) attempt a more open mind than does the television theatre critic, as they prepare to attend opening night.
While the "Deadpan" audience sees none of the "Play within a Play" performance beyond dress rehearsals, the theatre audience is told that Craig Donner substitutes for Tony Jasper in the role of the Woodsman. At least one cast member is seen beyond the stage: Barbara Blair (playing Prudence) (Marilyn Hassett), who attends the cast and crew reception, to await television and newspaper reviews.
But after reviews of "Mainely Murder" differ considerably, a body is discovered to complicate matters. A frustrated Lieutenant Aloyius Jarvis (Eugene Roche) conducts the subsequent investigation, to what appears an "open and shut case" -- if not for Jessica's determination to disprove the officer's theory.
Newspaper editor Ed Cullen (Philip Abbott), Shayne's Assistant (Don Correia), and several other survivors provide Jessica with information regarding a case of "Deadpan" theatre reviews.
- WeatherViolet
- Sep 19, 2009
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Filming locations
- Huntington Hartford Theater, Hollywood, California, USA(Broadway theatre exterior and interior.)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro