Murder She Wrote

All posts tagged Murder She Wrote

Horror, She Wrote: Lar Park Lincoln

Published February 13, 2015 by biggayhorrorfan

Horror, She Wrote explores the episodes of the ever-popular detective series Murder, She Wrote, featuring Angela Lansbury’s unstoppable Jessica Fletcher, that were highlighted by performances from genre film actors.

For better or worse, it all comes down to the mother!

Nobody knows this better than the vibrant Lar Park Lincoln (Friday the 13th 7: The New Blood, House II), a devoted parent, herself, in real life, who guest starred on Incident in Lot 7, the 13th (h-m-m…) eighth season episode of Murder, She Wrote, which featured a throwback to the spookiest matriarch of all time, Mrs. Bates!

As Angela Lansbury’s Jessica Fletcher navigates the devious world of filmmaking here, it is Lincoln’s kind and spunky Caroline Pryce who offers her eager assistance. But as an unexpected murder darkens Caroline’s world, Lincoln skillfully shows both her character’s accusatory nature and overriding frustration, ultimately, making Caroline one of this mystery’s most well rounded characters.

Nicely, Lincoln is joined by several other terror regulars including Stuart Whitman (Welcome to Arrow Beach, Vultures, Ruby, Night of the Lepus, The Monster Club) as a kindly executive, Michelle Johnson (Waxwork, Dr. Giggles, Blood Ties) as a power hungry mistress and Paula Prentiss (The Stepford Wives, Saturday the 14th) as an agitated actress. Of the three, Prentiss, perhaps, has the most fun. Her Leonora Holt is a self-centered movie star, determined to learn every nuance of the flustered Fletcher, whom she is set to play (a variation of) in a movie adaptation of one of the legendary sleuth’s books.

Nicely, as the majority of the action takes place on the Universal movie lot, the iconic Bates Motel is used as a primary location. It’s a striking choice with echoes of both Norma Bates’ cackle and Milton Arbogast’s arm wheeling fall haunting every frame.

Be sure to keep up with Lincoln, a respected acting teacher and co-star in the upcoming, deliciously titled Sky Sharks, at http://www.larparklincoln.com.

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Horror, She Wrote: Cherie Currie

Published November 20, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Horror, She Wrote explores the episodes of the ever-popular detective series Murder, She Wrote, featuring Angela Lansbury’s unstoppable Jessica Fletcher, that were highlighted by performances from genre film actors.

It may be fun to go to the dogs every once in awhile, but there is nothing, dramatically speaking, like a good cat fight! Eclectic entertainment goddess Cherie Currie certainly dives into some fur snarling fisticuffs in the first season episode of Murder, She Wrote entitled (appropriately enough) It’s a Dog’s Life and definitely comes out shining!

Best known for fronting the influential rock band The Runaways, Currie, also, had a varied acting career with roles in such horror and science fiction epics like Parasite, Wavelength and Twilight Zone: The Movie. Here, her co-stars include such genre stalwarts as Dallas’ Jared Martin (Aenigma, New Gladiators), Forrest Tucker (The Crawling Eye, The Abominable Snowman), Dan O’Herlihy (Halloween III, The Cabinet of Caligari), Dean Jones (Two on a Guillotine) and James Hampton (Teen Wolf, Hangar 18).

Playing Echo, the sarcastic daughter of a spiritually obsessed heiress (Soap’s Cathryn Damon who, also, practiced maternal witchiness in the television flick Midnight Offerings), Currie is obviously having a ball as Echo engages in verbal combat with her drunken aunt (played by soap stalwart Lenore Kasdorf). Currie, also, excellently invests the flippancy that Echo has for authority figures with a subtle comic timing and truthfully petulant sass. On the flip side, Currie and Damon do establish a natural affection between their characters, making viewers long to know more about them.

All involved (including the elegant Lynn Redgrave), though, seem to warm nicely to the absurdly fun plotline (which finds a beloved beagle on trial for murder), making this a rather delightful entry in this seminal, femme powered detective series.

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Horror, She Wrote: Lynda Day George

Published August 13, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Horror, She Wrote explores the episodes of the ever-popular detective series Murder, She Wrote, featuring Angela Lansbury’s unstoppable Jessica Fletcher, that were highlighted by performances from genre film actors.

I swear I never hit Aunt Agnes over the head to steal her aging Southern beau! But, at least, I am not alone when being falsely accused.

Indeed, on My Johnny Lies Over the Ocean, a first season episode of Murder, She Wrote, the divinely scrumptious Lynda Day George finds all eyes on her as the series’ grand dame Jessica Fletcher (winningly acted by the legendary Angela Lansbury) wonders if her character, Diane Shelley, might be gas lighting her fragile niece on a rocking ship of horrors.

Of course, with roles in such films as Mortuary, Pieces, Beyond Evil, Day of the Animals and Ants, George is definitely one of the high priestesses of horror for certain generations. Here, as in most of those films, she is, once again, a victim of circumstance. Her quietly gracious Shelley is merely escaping a bad love affair hence her mysterious appearance as this boat’s latest purser.

Slightly reminiscent of Cruise into Terror, the 78 television film she starred in, George is joined on this outing by her Animals’ co-star Leslie Nielsen. As Jessica’s grieving charge, one of many relatives of the mystery loving maven that would be introduced over the years, actress Belinda J. Montgomery (best known to terror fiends for starring in sleazy 84 slasher Silent Madness) is on the receiving end of this story’s horror archetypes (shadowy attacks, ghostly callings and shaky pleas of sanity). She handles these chores with a liquid grace. Still, one wonders what would have occurred if she and George had switched places. Reimagining, anyone?

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Horror, She Wrote: Kim Darby

Published July 3, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Oh, paranoia! If you are anything like me, then you are eternally certain that when that office door closes, your managers are always talking about you.

In the 7th episode of Murder, She Wrote’s first season, We’re Off to Kill the Wizard, poor Kim Darby (Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, Halloween 6, Teen Wolf 2, Circle of Fear) actually does have a boss that is out to get her. In one of that initial season’s best episodes, Darby plays Laurie Bascomby, the quivering secretary of the maniacally mean Horatio Baldwin, enacted with confirmed gusto by beloved character actor James Coco. (While mostly known for comic fare, one of Coco’s last roles was as a kindly, if misguided, social reformer in the 1988 prison based horror flick, The Chair.) While imbued with the trembling mousiness that viewers often expect from a Darby role, this veteran actress also supplies some layers of spine and a mild sense of humor to her role, here. Her character, ultimately, connects with the series’ grand dame Jessica Fletcher, who gladly assists her when her character is accused of murdering Coco’s.

Taking place in a haunted theme park, owned by Baldwin, this quickly moving story has plenty of shadowy encounters – and one of the best set pieces of the entire series, a huge prop head of Coco as a grinning vampire. One can only hope that item is still floating around the storage vaults of Universal Television!

On an interesting side note, this spooky jaunt also features a young Joaquin Phoenix as Fletcher’s great-nephew – but this show truly belongs to the sensitive Darby and the devilish Coco, who appears to be truly having a blast being so incredibly nasty.

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Horror, She Wrote: Piper Laurie in “Murder at the Oasis”

Published May 27, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

(Exploring the horror film actors who, happily, dominated episodes of Murder, She Wrote, the show that featured everyone’s favorite 80s/90s female detective, Jessica Fletcher.)

Even when covered in pink frosting and wearing a strawberry tutu on my head, I aim for a regal nature. Funny, somehow it never quite works out.

Maybe I should take some lessons from that magnificent theatrical dame known as Piper Laurie (Ruby, Possession, Dario Argento’s Trauma and Twin Peaks). Playing the distinguished Peggy Shannon on the first season Murder at the Oasis episode of Murder, She Wrote, Laurie practically drips with royalty. Unlike her more famous counterpart, Margaret White in 1976’s Carrie, Laurie/Shannon also beams with understanding compassion for her children, here, each thought to be responsible for their aggressive comedian father’s murder.

Said children are, also, played by actors with a number of terror credits to their names. Most fun is Linda Purl (Visiting Hours) who clearly is relishing playing the seductive and willful Terry, a lass who dates bad boys (such as Saturday Night Live’s Joseph Cali) just to anger (her soon to be dead) poppa. Supernaturally handsome Joseph Bottoms (The Intruder Within, Blind Date) counters Purl with more sensitive instincts as a musician who never quite got the needed paternal seal of approval.

With a cast of supporting Rat Pack like characters and obvious nods to Frank Sinatra’s nefarious dealings, the episode, as a whole, is a mildly enjoyable one. Although, a little bit more involvement from the distinguished Laurie (who virtually disappears in the second half of the proceedings), would have definitely helped this one along.

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Horror, She Wrote with the Divine Meg Foster!

Published July 5, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Big Gay Horror Fan well remembers the horror of being kidnapped for his inheritance – — of wrinkled Fantastic Four comic books!

Of course, I could be confusing myself with Tracy Middendorf’s Erin on The Dark Side of the Door episode of Murder, She Wrote (Season 12, Episode 15).

Here Middendorf, best known to terror freaks as the doomed babysitter in Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994) and as a stalked runner in Ed McBain’s 87th Precinct: Lightning (1995), plays a budding editor, who recognizes the specifics of her childhood kidnapping in a famous author’s long awaited novel.

This writer played by Twin Peaks’ Richard Beymer (also of fun n bloody sequel Silent Night, Deadly Night III: Better Watch Out!) also spends some premium episode time romancing a senior editor played by amazing genre icon Meg Foster (They Live, Stepfather II, Welcome to Arrow Beach). Foster is soft spoken yet firm here especially as Beymer betrays her and she learns what plenty of Big Gay Horror Fans already know – men just can’t be trusted.

Before Angela Lansbury’s flinty heroine JB Fletcher uncovers the truths behind Erin’s past, further fun is found watching veteran actress Marcia Strassman (best known for her comedic roles on Welcome Back Kotter and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids) play against type as Erin’s glamorous eventually duplicitous mother.

Meanwhile, 10 years previously, Foster made her first appearance on this seminal series (Joshua Peabody Died Here, Season 2, Episode 2). In one of the premium plots on the show’s best years, Foster is a determined newscaster whose motives might be deeper and darker than they seem. With her seductive eyes and whiskey coated voice, Foster stands out among a genre cast including the late-great Michael Sarrazin (Frankenstein: The True Story, The Reincarnation of Peter Proud), The Addams Family’s John Astin, television heartthrob John Ericson (Charles Band’s possessed car epic Crash!, the seminal Honey West) as the focus of Foster’s investigative rage and cowboy legend, B-Movie regular Chuck Connors (Tourist Trap, Werewolf, Maniac Killer).

Be sure to check back here, often, for more Horror, She Wrote.

Big Gay Horror, meanwhile, is always composing sonnets to Angela Lansbury’s vixen past at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan.

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

Horror, She Wrote: Kelli Maroney in Murder, She Wrote’s “Menace, Anyone?”

Published April 2, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Big Gay Horror Fan will never forget the humiliation of not hitting one tennis ball in-bounds when he played against that seven armed green monster in high school.

Maroney with Johnson, Hamilton and Russell.

As Cissy Barnes in the giallo plot inspired episode of “Menace, Anyone?” (Season 2, Episode 20) on Murder, She Wrote (focusing on the adventures of mystery writing/accidental detective Jessica Fletcher), genre icon Kelli Maroney (Chopping Mall, Night of the Comet, Servants of Twilight, Gila!) definitely comes out winning, though. Putting her soap opera training (Ryan’s Hope, One Life to Live) to good use here, Maroney plays the manipulative, flirtatious Barnes for all she is worth. A star tennis player, Barnes is always threatening to walk out on her benefactors while dressing outrageous and engaging in sharp banter with her rivals – whom include beloved fellow horror notables like Linda Hamilton (Children of the Corn, King Kong Lives, Terminator) and Betsy Russell (the Saw series, Cheerleader Camp, Camp Fear, Avenging Angel).

A bit more intricately plotted than Jessica Fletcher’s adventures as the series wore on, this prime episode has a very Italian feel (a twisted subplot involving insanity, forced suicide, mixed identity and a missing sister whom may or may not exist) and some moments of Hitchcock inspired suspense (a trespassing detective’s murder features some almost Psycho-like camera work).

This episode is also a cinema lovers delight with television stalwart Dennis Cole (Zombie Death House, Irwin Allen’s Cave-In), golden age idol Van Johnson (Sergio Martino’s Scorpion With Two Tails, Killer Crocodile), 80’s teen sensation Doug McKeon (On Golden Pond, Mischief) and Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) all making appearances, as well. Even Kerrie Sherman (who played the vicious Patti in Greydon Clark’s Satan’s Cheerleaders) shows up as a secretary whom believes she is from Mars! Delicious!

Perhaps, most fun here, though, is watching Maroney enjoying devilishly interacting with Johnson in her opening scene. The two worked together previously on Ryan’s Hope and are obviously have a ball in their comical strategizing.

Maroney who will be appearing April 5- 7th, 2013 at the amazing Cinema Wasteland in Ohio (www.cinemawasteland.com) can always be reached at www.kellimaroney.com.

Meanwhile, Big Gay Horror Fan is always worshipping the treasured vixens of terror at https://www.facebook.com/BigGayHorrorFan!

Be sure to check back often as BGHF, frequently, explores the fright stars that populated Murder, She Wrote with “Horror, She Wrote”!

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

Horror She Wrote with Caroline Williams!

Published February 1, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Growing up in a small town was murder for Big Gay Horror Fan. Of course, murder in a tiny hamlet takes on a totally different meaning when one considers Angela Lansbury’s Jessica Fletcher and the long running television series Murder She Wrote (1984-1996).

Based around a spunky mystery writer who uncovers crimes in her small seaside burg, the show revitalized Lansbury’s career for a second time. (British Lansbury had kicked around Hollywood in the 40’s, portraying everything from damsels in distress to deadly femme fatales, without ever establishing a significant niche. Her Broadway portrayal of eccentric, loving Mame in 1966 finally gave her an iconic role to stake her name upon.) The show’s extended run eventually allowed her character many adventures in such locales as New York City, Los Angeles, England and Ireland, as well.

What is most interesting about the show for terror titans, though, is the amazing number of actors known for their work in horror who found themselves under Lansbury/Fletcher’s watchful suspense writer’s gaze.

The end of the show’s 8th season and the beginning of the 9th found eclectic sequel queen Caroline Williams (Texas Chainsaw Massacre II, Leprechaun III, Stepfather 2, and Rob Zombie’s Halloween II) outlining two very different roles.

On Murder on Madison Avenue (Season 8, Episode 22), Williams portrays Amanda North, an ambitious ad executive who is wooed away from her neglectful but faithful partner-boyfriend. As Williams works with a sensitive determination here, genre fans will also rejoice in the participation of Leo Rossi (known for his steamy death with Pamela Susan Shoop in the original Halloween 2) as a semi-bumbling detective who investigates the murder of a high powered media queen involved with creating a board game based on the seemingly tireless Fletcher’s novels.

Family Secrets (Season 9, Episode 2), allows Williams more creativity, though. With only one episode separating her appearances on the show, Williams is virtually unrecognizable to those who only knew her from her previous stint on the series. As well-to-do Janet Weymouth, she not only changes her hair style but modulates her speech pattern significantly. Her tones here are softer, seductive and very controlled, creating a truly unique character.

Playing the daughter of a regal Cabot Cove resident named Emily, portrayed by 50’s movie and television maven Phyllis Thaxter (No Man Of Her Own, Alfred Hitchcock Presents), Williams has more to do in this scenario, as well. As one of Jessica’s former writing students uncovers secrets in the Weymouth family, Janet loses her composure in one explosive moment, proving beyond a doubt what a varied performer she is – something those on the fright circuit have known all along.

Be sure to check back in the future for further explorations into Horror She Wrote!

Big Gay Horror Fan is always welcoming crime solvers at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, as well!

Until the next time –SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!