Ep 18. The Adventure of the Sinister Scenario

Ellery Queen season 1 episode 18, titled "The Adventure of the Sinister Scenario," follows amateur detective Ellery Queen and his father Inspector Richard Queen as they investigate a bizarre murder that took place on a movie set. The victim, a screenwriter named J.J. Hurley, was killed during the filming of a horror movie called "The Sinister Scenario."

The suspects are numerous, including the film's producer, director, actors, and crew. The crime scene is impeded by movie props, costumes, and special effects, making it difficult to determine what is real and what is not. To further complicate matters, Ellery discovers that Hurley had recently rewritten the movie's script, adding a controversial plot twist involving a real murder.

As Ellery and Richard question each suspect, they begin to unravel a web of jealousy, greed, and betrayal. One suspect has a vendetta against the victim after being replaced as the film's star, while another is desperate to cover up a scandalous affair. Meanwhile, the film's producer is determined to keep the movie on schedule to meet a crucial deadline, despite the murder investigation.

Ellery utilizes his keen deductive skills to piece together the clues, consulting with his friend and true-crime author, Johnny Shinn. Together, they devise a clever plan to uncover the killer's identity by using the movie's special effects to stage a fake murder scene. When the killer takes the bait, Ellery finally solves the case, proving that truth can be stranger than fiction.

"The Adventure of the Sinister Scenario" is an entertaining and engaging episode that showcases the unique talents of Ellery Queen. The murder on a movie set adds a fun and exciting twist to the traditional murder mystery, while the complex web of suspects keeps the audience guessing until the very end. Through it all, Ellery's wit and intelligence shine, proving why he is one of the most beloved amateur detectives of all time.