Sing a Song of Murder

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

Director

Writer

Cast

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

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).

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British Universities Film & Video Council