Ellery Queen

Watch Ellery Queen

  • TV-PG
  • 1975
  • 1 Season
  • 8.4  (1,550)

Ellery Queen is an American mystery drama television series based on the fictional character Ellery Queen created by Frederic Dannay and Manfred Lee. The series aired on NBC from September 11, 1975 to April 4, 1976 and starred Jim Hutton as the titular character. Set in New York City in the late 1940s, the show follows Ellery Queen, a mystery writer and amateur detective who helps his father, Inspector Richard Queen of the New York Police Department, solve baffling murder cases. Each episode involved an unusual murder being committed under strange circumstances. Ellery would invariably be at the scene of the crime, where he picked up on small clues and details that others missed. He would point out evidence and make deductions, usually challenging the viewer to solve the mystery themselves before the final reveal. His methodical approach and eye for detail allowed him to piece together how and why the murder was committed.

Inspector Queen provided an official police presence during the investigations. He respected his son's crime-solving skills, though at times grew frustrated by Ellery meddling in police business. The father-son dynamic provided an extra layer of warmth and humanity to the mysteries. The crimes challenged Ellery intellectually, while his relationship with his father added heart.

The show had a rotating group of supporting characters and guest stars. Sergeants Velie and Thomas were regular police detectives assisting Inspector Queen. Frank Flannigan was Ellery's streetwise young assistant who provided help around town. Simon Brimmer was a rival detective and mystery author, whose arrogance created conflict with Ellery but also helped drive Ellery to solve the case first.

Each episode followed a similar structure - the crime is committed, Ellery is brought in to consult, initial suspects are interrogated, Ellery finds clues the police missed, false leads are followed, Ellery eventually gathers all the suspects together to reveal the killer and motive. This formula allowed the writers to come up with increasingly clever mysteries each week for Ellery to untangle.

The show had a unique device where Ellery would break the fourth wall and turn to the audience near the end of the episode to recap the key clues and evidence from the case. He would ask viewers to think through the information themselves and try to determine whodunit before he revealed the killer. This engaged audiences and turned the show into more of an interactive mystery game.

While centered around murder, the show maintained a family-friendly tone. Creators avoided excessive violence, foul language and adult situations that were common in other crime dramas of the era. Murder was treated as an intellectual puzzle rather than a gritty, sensational crime. This allowed viewers of all ages to enjoy matching wits with Ellery Queen each week.

In summary, Ellery Queen was an entertaining 1970s mystery series combining classic whodunit storytelling with lovable characters and interactive audience engagement. The show used creative mysteries and an unconventional crime-solver to sustain interest across its 23 episode run. Though it only lasted one season, Ellery Queen was an influential series that helped shape television detective shows for decades to come.

Ellery Queen
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Seasons
The Adventure of the Disappearing Dagger
23. The Adventure of the Disappearing Dagger
April 4, 1976
This aging detective has just named his last murderer. Who killed him Was it the munitions maker? The ex-con flyer? The alert junior executive? The many talented sculptress? The master mechanic? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Hardhearted Huckster
22. The Adventure of the Hardhearted Huckster
March 21, 1976
This tobacco executive is about to discover that humiliating people can be dangerous to your health. Who killed him? Was it the unscrupulous advertising genius? The long-suffering assistant? The love-starved secretary? The beautiful creative director? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of Caesar's Last Sleep
21. The Adventure of Caesar's Last Sleep
March 14, 1976
Locked in this room, guarded by three detectives, this notorious gangster was mysteriously murdered. Who killed him? Was it the gang-busting prosecutor? His devoted young assistant? The nightclub dancer? The distraught wife? The obsessed young detective? the ruthless gang leader? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Tyrant of Tin Pan Alley
20. The Adventure of the Tyrant of Tin Pan Alley
March 7, 1976
A few minutes ago, this famous composer stole his last song. Who killed him? Was it the talented fry cook? The resentful stepdaughter? The frightened widow? The glib disc jockey? The hillbilly song plugger? The washed up singer? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Two-Faced Woman
19. The Adventure of the Two-Faced Woman
February 29, 1976
In just three seconds, this woman is going to be stabbed. Who killed her? Was it the bereaved husband? The temeramental artist? The confused psychiatrist? The enterprising auctioneer? The kissing cousin? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Sinister Scenario
18. The Adventure of the Sinister Scenario
February 8, 1976
This Hollywood star is about to be murdered. Who is responsible for his death? Was it his jealous wife? The frightened prop man? The humiliated director? The supercharged press agent? The frustrated actor? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Judas Tree
17. The Adventure of the Judas Tree
February 1, 1976
The man in the portrait is dead. Who killed him? Was it his bereaved widow? The family doctor? The business partner? The mysterious priest? The oriental visitor? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Wary Witness
16. The Adventure of the Wary Witness
January 25, 1976
This racketeer is dead, and this man is on trial for his murder. Is he guilty? Or was it the victim's shopworn wife? The defendant's wife? The seedy defense attorney, the hot tempered young mobster? His powerful father? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Eccentric Engineer
15. The Adventure of the Eccentric Engineer
January 18, 1976
This model train enthysuast just highballed his last fleet. Who killed him? Was it his wife? The trusted employee and his domineering wife? The ambitious tycoon? The playboy brother-in-law? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Sunday Punch
14. The Adventure of the Sunday Punch
January 11, 1976
In a matter of seconds, this contender will take his last count. Who killed him? Was it his sparring partner? His manager? His fiance? The ring physician? The gangster? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Black Falcon
13. The Adventure of the Black Falcon
January 4, 1976
This famous nightclub owner is opening a rare vintage and his coffin. Who killed him? Was it the mind reader? The pianist? The dead man's partner? The ambitious singer? The clumsy wine steward? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Blunt Instrument
12. The Adventure of the Blunt Instrument
December 18, 1975
In a few minutes this famous mystery writer will be dead. Who killed him? Was it his mistress? The sore loser? The distinguished publisher? The ambitious ex-wife? The underpaid research assistant? The loyal secretary? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Pharoh's Curse
11. The Adventure of the Pharoh's Curse
December 11, 1975
In a few minutes, Norris Wentworth will be dead. The question is: who killed him? Was it the rebellious son? The long-suffering wife? The museum curator? His ambitious assistant? The angry Egyptian? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of Veronica's Veils
10. The Adventure of Veronica's Veils
November 13, 1975
This producer kows he's about to be murdered, but not the identity of his killer. Was it the burlesque comic? His unhappy wife? The director? The influential backer? The Broadway bombshell? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Mad Tea Party
9. The Adventure of the Mad Tea Party
October 30, 1975
In a few minutes, Spencer Lockridge will disappear. One of these people is responsible. Was it the Doormouse? Alice in Wonderland? The public relations man? The March Hare? The mother-in-law? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of Colonel Nivin's Memoirs
8. The Adventure of Colonel Nivin's Memoirs
October 23, 1975
In a few hours, this character assassin will be murdered. Who killed him? Was it the man with a cane? The russian diplomat? His wife with a damaging past? The phoptographer? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of Miss Aggie's Farewell
7. The Adventure of Miss Aggie's Farewell
October 16, 1975
At this moment, Vera Bethune is playing the last scene of her life. Who killed her? Was it her unhappy costar? Her agent? The ambitious announcer? The organist? The young actress? The worried writer? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the 12th Floor Express
6. The Adventure of the 12th Floor Express
October 9, 1975
In a few minutes, this newspaper publisher will become an obituary notice. Who killed him? Was it his sister? The editor in chief? The attorney? The well-connected reporter? The muckraking columnist? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Comic Book Crusader
5. The Adventure of the Comic Book Crusader
October 2, 1975
In a few minutes, this famous cartoonist will be dead. Who killed him? Was it the ambitious lettering man? The layout expert? The background artist? The figure specialist? His disillusioned secretary? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Chinese Dog
4. The Adventure of the Chinese Dog
September 25, 1975
In a few minutes, this man is going to be murdered. The question is: who killed him? Was it the frustrated nephew? The spurned housekeeper? The fiance whith the shady past? The willful heiress? Or was it someone else? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of the Lover's Leap
3. The Adventure of the Lover's Leap
September 18, 1975
In a few minutes, this woman will be dead. Who killed her? Was it the fortune hunting husband? The stepdaughter? The live-in nurse? The psychiatrist? The larcenous lawyer? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
The Adventure of Auld Langs Syne
2. The Adventure of Auld Langs Syne
September 11, 1975
In a few minutes, this man is going to be murdered. Who killed him? Was it his son? The faithful secretary? Her fiance? The cheating businesspartner? The needy nephew? The gold-digger? It wasn't Guy Lombardo! Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
Too Many Suspects
1. Too Many Suspects
March 23, 1975
In a few minutes, this woman will be dead. The question is, who killed her? Was it Carson Mckell, the philandering financier? Marion McKell, the jealous wife? Tom, the son with a dangerous temper? The radio mystery star? The ambitious secretary? The chauffeur? The delivery boy? Match wits with Ellery Queen, and see if you can guess who done it!
Description
  • Premiere Date
    March 23, 1975
  • IMDB Rating
    8.4  (1,550)
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