SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Murder mystery series starring Angela Lansbury as the mystery writer-cum amateur detective. Jessica Fletcher. In this episode Jessica rushes to London in an attempt to aid her cousin, a famous actress in the theatre, who has become the target of several murder attempts. Oliver Trumbull (Macnee) is an old music hall star who also acted Shakespeare. He auditions for the role of Falstaff. He begins ‘if manhood’ (Henry IV. Part I, II iv l1118) and then has to look at the script. He continues to ‘shotten herring’ at which point the director stops him. He then asks to be allowed to finish and gives Henry’s speech from Henry VI. Part II ‘Came he right now to sing a raven’s note’ to ‘their touch affrights me as a serpent’s sting’ (III ii l1721-1726).

Series

Murder, She Wrote

Language

English

Country

United States

Medium

Television

Technical information

Colour / Sound

Transmission details

27 Oct 1985 (Channel: CBS)

Duration

60 mins

Credits

Director

John Llewellyn Moxey

Writer

Peter S. Fischer

Cast

Patrick Macnee	Oliver Trumbull (King Henry VI)
Angela Lansbury	Jessica Fletcher
Glynis Johns	Bridget O’Hara
Terrence Scammell	Director

Additional Details

Production type

Television and Radio Drama

Plays

Henry VI part 3

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Auditions; Mystery

Notes

Notes

Available on DVD in the compilation MURDER, SHE WROTE: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON (Region 1 only).

General

Trumbull’s daughter is played by Olivia Hussey, Juliet in the Zeffirelli film ROMEO AND JULIET (1968).

History

Season 2, episode 5.

Reviews

Burt, Richard ‘U.S. Television’ in Burt, Richard (ed). Shakespeares After Shakespeares: an Encyclopedia of the Bard in Mass Media and Popular Culture. 2 vols. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006. (p. 601-2, entry 2729).

Production Company

Name

Corymore Productions

Name

Universal TV

Online Retailer

Name

amazon.co.uk

Web

http://www.amazon.co.uk External site opens in new window