This show has the unique distinction of being one of the few detective shows to feature Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians set on New Year's Eve 1947. The shows plot is a little too contrived and not quite up to some of the other scripts. When I watch it, I am in awe as this guest cast is loaded.
We have Joan Collins, Farley Granger and Ray Walston heading up a major guest cast. This was the first episode of the only and only season sadly of the show and this being weaker than most episodes script wise, it is sad to think this one show might have been the ratings killer for the entire series. Historic footnote, this one originally aired on September 11, 1975 - 26 years exactly before the infamous 2001 attacks.
Now this is really a historic timepiece as it portrays 1947 New Year's Eve with Lombardo who would be exiting New Years in a few short years after. The murder happens in a phone booth at the Hotel Astor where Lombardo is playing and in a bit of gimmickry, after most of the show focus on Inspector Richard Queen getting all the suspects together, Ellery shows up a 6 minutes to midnight and solves the case in that 6 minutes.
Trouble is it would have been better if the script had employed the clock a little more skillfully. Somehow the suspense just isn't accomplished the way it could have been.
We have Joan Collins, Farley Granger and Ray Walston heading up a major guest cast. This was the first episode of the only and only season sadly of the show and this being weaker than most episodes script wise, it is sad to think this one show might have been the ratings killer for the entire series. Historic footnote, this one originally aired on September 11, 1975 - 26 years exactly before the infamous 2001 attacks.
Now this is really a historic timepiece as it portrays 1947 New Year's Eve with Lombardo who would be exiting New Years in a few short years after. The murder happens in a phone booth at the Hotel Astor where Lombardo is playing and in a bit of gimmickry, after most of the show focus on Inspector Richard Queen getting all the suspects together, Ellery shows up a 6 minutes to midnight and solves the case in that 6 minutes.
Trouble is it would have been better if the script had employed the clock a little more skillfully. Somehow the suspense just isn't accomplished the way it could have been.