There's more chemistry between Peter Lawford and Harry Morgan here than his brief encounter with Stephanie Powers who may or may not be a murderer, the notorious Hydra who is strangling people to death in New York City and leaving the different colored cord behind based on their gender. They have a great rapport together, with Morgan getting in many a wisecrack at his nephew's expense as they investigate the case.
The Ellery Queen films of the 1940's were decent programmers, but when compared to other B detective series of the time (Boston Blackie, the Falcon, the Saint, e t c), they are easily forgotten. This is the first of two TV movies that led to a series with a different task, and have him watch that series briefly when it was on, I remembered the hysterical relationship between Ellery and his father (made his uncle in this movie) more so than the individual cases. Different cast but same premise. Bob Hastings as good as a TV reporter.
This film is memorable for the opening credits of the snake cartoon character that increases its number of heads every time another victim is discovered which leads to a commercial break. The killings aren't actually shown, only the murderer approaching its panicking victim. While they suspect it's a man from the start, certain evidence indicates that it could be a woman, and Powers is the first suspect. She's of course offended by this, and eventually joins Lawford and Morgan in helping to crack the case. The witty performances and crackling screenplay helps keep the audience in suspense. A fun TV movie well-worth rediscovering.
The Ellery Queen films of the 1940's were decent programmers, but when compared to other B detective series of the time (Boston Blackie, the Falcon, the Saint, e t c), they are easily forgotten. This is the first of two TV movies that led to a series with a different task, and have him watch that series briefly when it was on, I remembered the hysterical relationship between Ellery and his father (made his uncle in this movie) more so than the individual cases. Different cast but same premise. Bob Hastings as good as a TV reporter.
This film is memorable for the opening credits of the snake cartoon character that increases its number of heads every time another victim is discovered which leads to a commercial break. The killings aren't actually shown, only the murderer approaching its panicking victim. While they suspect it's a man from the start, certain evidence indicates that it could be a woman, and Powers is the first suspect. She's of course offended by this, and eventually joins Lawford and Morgan in helping to crack the case. The witty performances and crackling screenplay helps keep the audience in suspense. A fun TV movie well-worth rediscovering.