I wish I could give this as good a review as I did the earlier episode on the old Burke's Law (that was given a "10") but that is not to be here. The problem is the change in the motive for the murder, and ironically it makes sense in one way but not another.
Here it is John Astin who is the magician who is supposed to be performing the stunt at the hotel pool that Gil Frye did in the original. But whereas Frye's comment at the poolside that sets off the murder is based on indignation, a change in character makes Astin less sympathetic than Frye.
Spoiler coming up: (sorry about that)
In the original the reason for Frye's murder is to silence him on a particular piece of history about another character who will be ruined if the information comes out. But Astin's magician is not so noble - and the killer is made more sympathetic because Astin turns out to be something of creep. But without the outburst from Frye, the reason to look closely at the suspects would not exist. The mystery would be far simpler without that outburst.
On the other hand, technological improvements made this episode a trifle interesting when thinking of the atmosphere of the story. Roddy MacDowell and Mark Hamill are rival magicians to Astin, each with a professional jealousy towards the deceased to make them good suspects. Both also have that aura of mystery and the supernatural that the better prestidigitators always maintain. So does Astin. A high point in this episode is Burke's son and assistant Peter (Peter Barton) going alone to the private house Astin built for himself to look for any leads there. He proceeds to see certain special effects that Astin had added to the house - one being a shocker that almost takes the case into a different direction.
It is not as good as the original series' episode, but it has it's moments as well.
Here it is John Astin who is the magician who is supposed to be performing the stunt at the hotel pool that Gil Frye did in the original. But whereas Frye's comment at the poolside that sets off the murder is based on indignation, a change in character makes Astin less sympathetic than Frye.
Spoiler coming up: (sorry about that)
In the original the reason for Frye's murder is to silence him on a particular piece of history about another character who will be ruined if the information comes out. But Astin's magician is not so noble - and the killer is made more sympathetic because Astin turns out to be something of creep. But without the outburst from Frye, the reason to look closely at the suspects would not exist. The mystery would be far simpler without that outburst.
On the other hand, technological improvements made this episode a trifle interesting when thinking of the atmosphere of the story. Roddy MacDowell and Mark Hamill are rival magicians to Astin, each with a professional jealousy towards the deceased to make them good suspects. Both also have that aura of mystery and the supernatural that the better prestidigitators always maintain. So does Astin. A high point in this episode is Burke's son and assistant Peter (Peter Barton) going alone to the private house Astin built for himself to look for any leads there. He proceeds to see certain special effects that Astin had added to the house - one being a shocker that almost takes the case into a different direction.
It is not as good as the original series' episode, but it has it's moments as well.