Episode 13, "The Case of the Misguided Missal" finds Colonel March following the trail of a valued 15th century prayer volume (the 'misguided missal') that disappears from a locked casket inside the locked safe of Oxford don Professor Wes Wesley (John Arnatt). His prize student is Nancy Pembroke (Jane Griffiths), who has two rivals for her affections, Garrick (Trader Faulkner) and Ned Young (Anthony Newley), who is immediately arrested for murder when Garrick turns up dead near the stolen missal. Wesley insists that the supernatural is involved, while actual illusionist Chan Canasta (playing himself) demonstrates how the book can disappear from a locked safe. As was usually the case, a lack of suspects makes the culprit's identity obvious, but the solution makes a difference. 23 year old Anthony (billed as Antony) Newley made his TV debut with this 1954 episode, two years before appearing in Hammer's "X the Unknown."
Colonel March of Scotland Yard (TV Series)
The Case of the Misguided Missal (1955)
User Reviews
Review this title4 Reviews
Illusion and trickery
Leofwine_draca23 October 2016
THE CASE OF THE MISGUIDED MISSAL sees Colonel March on the hunt for a missing prayer book, if you can believe that. This averagely-scripted episode of the Colonel March of Scotland Yard TV series is another locked room element, although it's rather a locked safe in this instance.
The story is slightly enlivened by an early acting role for Anthony Newley and the appearance of real-life illusionist Chan Canasta, who adds a little fun to the proceedings. It's the sort of episode that fans of Karloff and the show will enjoy, although others might be a little less impressed.
The story is slightly enlivened by an early acting role for Anthony Newley and the appearance of real-life illusionist Chan Canasta, who adds a little fun to the proceedings. It's the sort of episode that fans of Karloff and the show will enjoy, although others might be a little less impressed.
A slightly uninspiring episode.
Sleepin_Dragon2 December 2020
The Case or the Misguided Missal is a fairly average episode, it's one of those episodes I didn't get a great deal out of. The crime is the obvious one, the culprit is blatantly obvious. The interest here comes from the disappearing book first of all, and the actual explanation of the crime.
The acting and production in this one feel very static, everything feels dull and static, nothing sets this one apart.
It's very old fashioned for the most part, with the young lady being the object of desire for several suitors, they should have had pistols at dawn.
On the plus side, it features John Arnatt, I will forever be a fan of his, his presence, stature and voice, he is arguably the best element in this rather dull affair. 5/10.
The acting and production in this one feel very static, everything feels dull and static, nothing sets this one apart.
It's very old fashioned for the most part, with the young lady being the object of desire for several suitors, they should have had pistols at dawn.
On the plus side, it features John Arnatt, I will forever be a fan of his, his presence, stature and voice, he is arguably the best element in this rather dull affair. 5/10.
The Case of the Misguided Missal
Prismark104 August 2022
Colonel March is called in regarding strange activities of a prayer book dating from the 15th century.
The author was involved in the dark arts. Wesley the Oxford Don believes that the book has been shifting about.
There are also two young men vying for the attention of lovely student Nancy. One of them also accuses the middle aged Wesley of eyeing her up.
When one of the student is found dead, the other hot headed Ned (Anthony Newley) is accused of murder.
The prayer book also disappears. Colonel March brings in a real life magician to help solve the case.
The introduction of real life magician Chan Canasta is mildly diverting.
There is no real mystery here as to the culprit. They even say that they will come into some money soon. Hinting heavily that it will be from the sale of the prayer book.
The author was involved in the dark arts. Wesley the Oxford Don believes that the book has been shifting about.
There are also two young men vying for the attention of lovely student Nancy. One of them also accuses the middle aged Wesley of eyeing her up.
When one of the student is found dead, the other hot headed Ned (Anthony Newley) is accused of murder.
The prayer book also disappears. Colonel March brings in a real life magician to help solve the case.
The introduction of real life magician Chan Canasta is mildly diverting.
There is no real mystery here as to the culprit. They even say that they will come into some money soon. Hinting heavily that it will be from the sale of the prayer book.
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