Episode 3, "The Adventure of the Chinese Dog," finds Inspector Queen and son Ellery on a fishing trip in the small town of Wrightsville, named for the powerful family of Eben Wright (Robert F. Simon), who runs a galoshes factory worth millions (Ellery quotes: "you can't go wrong with two Wright galoshes"). Eben's daughter Julia (Katherine Crawford) is about to marry an ex-con, Gordon Wilde (Robert Hogan), and the concerned father has already selected their wedding gift, a Chinese temple dog made of solid gold, studded with rubies and emeralds. Entrusting the local sheriff, Oscar Eberhart (Eugene Roche), with the task of guarding the priceless dog, Eben Wright is soon found dead in his study, killed by a blow inflicted by the dog itself. Currently running for sheriff himself is grocer Henry Palmer (Murray Hamilton), who figures it would be a feather in his cap if he could convince Ellery and his father to help out on the case, due to the fact that Eberhart appears to be 'running scared.' There was no love lost between Eben and his gardener nephew Warren (Orson Bean), whom he did not trust to run the business, while Eben's longtime housekeeper, Tilda McDonald (Geraldine Brooks), in love with him for years, was about to be banished to an apartment in town after the wedding. It's mostly Ellery's show, his father more concerned with catching an elusive trout. Hal J. Smith, best known as Otis Campbell in THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, is amusing as the gluttonous coroner (equally unsuccessful in hooking that pesky fish), while Mamie the waitress is played by a brunette Dee Wallace, in only her third TV role. Nina Roman returns (unbilled) as Grace, Inspector Queen's secretary, in a brief sequence with Sergeant Velie (Tom Reese).
5 Reviews
Fishing For A Killer
DKosty1231 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
The Queens go on a fishing trip and suddenly find themselves in a murder mystery. Richard Queen is more interested in catching a big fish. While getting a hook on him, they meet the Cornerer, the Deputy Sheriff, and find out all about the small town gossip.
There are a couple of keys to why the killer uses the Chinese Dog as a weapon, and why there is a strange thumb wound on the victim.
Even though they are out of town, the Queens have to call home for help from the Sargant in order to solve this one. Who did it? It is a bit of a surprise at the end, but still Queen solves another one.
No vacation trip for the Queens can be complete without a murder.
There are a couple of keys to why the killer uses the Chinese Dog as a weapon, and why there is a strange thumb wound on the victim.
Even though they are out of town, the Queens have to call home for help from the Sargant in order to solve this one. Who did it? It is a bit of a surprise at the end, but still Queen solves another one.
No vacation trip for the Queens can be complete without a murder.
"Do You Know Who The Murderer Is?" - Yes!
chashans11 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I am ever so proud to be able to write that I figured it out. Immediately, before we the viewer even knew that the victim was dead. Never trust a TV character who backs out of a room in mid-conversation with someone you don't hear speaking. Later, a teeny, tiny little hole in the victim's thumbprint is a substantiating arrow to the culprit.
Ellery and his Inspector father escape the big city for a nice, quiet fishing trip to a little town named Wrightsville. It's such a pleasant little place, it could pass for Mayberry from "The Andy Griffith Show". While Ellery relaxes lakeside with a good book, his father is determined to hook his own personal Moby Dick of a fish which has eluded him on previous trips. (Could it be Mayberry's own 'Old Sam', a legendary Master Of Escape Carp? Where's Howard Sprague when you need him?!)
It's not Howard Sprague from Mayberry who shows up to aid Ellery and his father solve the town murder. It's Mayberry town-drunk, Otis Campbell. Well anyway, it's Otis actor Hal Smith. "The Adventure of the Chinese Dog" is loaded with guest character actors. Faces viewers recognize from countless appearances on other 1960's and 1970's television shows. (Even the actor portraying the murder victim had appeared in Mayberry. As the owner of a Drug Store who gives teenaged Opie Taylor a job and a lesson in Prop-Product placement.) Robert Hogan shows up as a particularly creepy would-be groom with a criminal background. The character comes right out with the thought of the possible murdering of his fiance - to his fiance, and she responds with a smile and rushes into his arms. Weird.
This is a fun story, even with the easy to spot solution. Leads Jim Hutton and David Wayne continue their excellent performances as son and father. Wayne is obviously having a hoot and a half with his character. These two truly entice the viewer to continue tuning in, week to week.
Ellery and his Inspector father escape the big city for a nice, quiet fishing trip to a little town named Wrightsville. It's such a pleasant little place, it could pass for Mayberry from "The Andy Griffith Show". While Ellery relaxes lakeside with a good book, his father is determined to hook his own personal Moby Dick of a fish which has eluded him on previous trips. (Could it be Mayberry's own 'Old Sam', a legendary Master Of Escape Carp? Where's Howard Sprague when you need him?!)
It's not Howard Sprague from Mayberry who shows up to aid Ellery and his father solve the town murder. It's Mayberry town-drunk, Otis Campbell. Well anyway, it's Otis actor Hal Smith. "The Adventure of the Chinese Dog" is loaded with guest character actors. Faces viewers recognize from countless appearances on other 1960's and 1970's television shows. (Even the actor portraying the murder victim had appeared in Mayberry. As the owner of a Drug Store who gives teenaged Opie Taylor a job and a lesson in Prop-Product placement.) Robert Hogan shows up as a particularly creepy would-be groom with a criminal background. The character comes right out with the thought of the possible murdering of his fiance - to his fiance, and she responds with a smile and rushes into his arms. Weird.
This is a fun story, even with the easy to spot solution. Leads Jim Hutton and David Wayne continue their excellent performances as son and father. Wayne is obviously having a hoot and a half with his character. These two truly entice the viewer to continue tuning in, week to week.
Miscalled It... But I'm Not Bitter :)
Gislef11 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Okay, I thought Henry was the killer. Mainly because there was the camera- and plot- focus on him giving Richard a fishing fly with a hook. Which serves no other purpose: it's not like Henry giving Richard a fly plays any other plot significance And the victim had a puncture in his thumb. Given the episode's focus on fishing, I thought Henry was the killer and he cast a line in to hook the dog and pull it into Eben's head, killing him.
I overcomplicated things: my bad. But it illustrates a plot hole. The puncture could have indicated Henry. Sure, he doesn't seem to have a motive. But we don't get a clue that Eberhard had a motive until his final confession. Yeah, Henry pressures him throughout the episode about the sheriff election But that doesn't mean Eberhart is afraid he'll be out of a job.
Also, I get the impression that the production staff are much more invested in Wrightsville than the audience is or given reason to be. It seems to be a town that has a population of ten people: the ones relevant to the plot and the waitress. I remember Wrightsville being significant from the novels, way back when. But there's nothing in this episode to make it distinctive, and I don't recall it appearing in any future episodes.
I like Wayne and Hutton, but they're awfully shallow so far, ain't they? Richard seems more interested in fishing than solving crimes. Yes, he's on vacation, but sheesh, the level of his disinterest here is almost tangible. Only Wayne's acting gives the character moments of actual interest: the script does him no favor. And I like the banter between Richard and Bailey.
And Ellery... well, he's no Columbo. Or McCloud. Or Kojak. Or Kolchak. I like Hutton, but he and Wayne are trapped in stories beneath them. Ellery's absent-mindedness was old back in the pilot: it's like he has no other defining character traits. The fact that the story is kinda weak here puts the focus on them, and the characters as written just aren't up to it. Performances aside.
There's a few other problems. Julia does a dramatic swoon into Ellery's arms, but a few minutes later is all smiles as she's reunited with her fiancée. Robert Hogan is annoyingly one-note as ex-con Gordon, and he points out that he could murder Julia, to Julia, as a means of noting that he's trustworthy. As one says to one's fiancé: "I could kill you, but I'm not, and that proves you must really love me." Gaak.
Geraldine Brooks isn't bad as the scorned housekeeper, and Orson Bean as the plant-obsessed nephew is pretty good. Although I thought he was Roddy McDowell at first. It's likes Lee Marvin and James Coburn. If you can't get McDowell, get Bean.
Overall... Chinese Dog just kind of meanders on, to a mildly dissatisfying conclusion.
But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?
I overcomplicated things: my bad. But it illustrates a plot hole. The puncture could have indicated Henry. Sure, he doesn't seem to have a motive. But we don't get a clue that Eberhard had a motive until his final confession. Yeah, Henry pressures him throughout the episode about the sheriff election But that doesn't mean Eberhart is afraid he'll be out of a job.
Also, I get the impression that the production staff are much more invested in Wrightsville than the audience is or given reason to be. It seems to be a town that has a population of ten people: the ones relevant to the plot and the waitress. I remember Wrightsville being significant from the novels, way back when. But there's nothing in this episode to make it distinctive, and I don't recall it appearing in any future episodes.
I like Wayne and Hutton, but they're awfully shallow so far, ain't they? Richard seems more interested in fishing than solving crimes. Yes, he's on vacation, but sheesh, the level of his disinterest here is almost tangible. Only Wayne's acting gives the character moments of actual interest: the script does him no favor. And I like the banter between Richard and Bailey.
And Ellery... well, he's no Columbo. Or McCloud. Or Kojak. Or Kolchak. I like Hutton, but he and Wayne are trapped in stories beneath them. Ellery's absent-mindedness was old back in the pilot: it's like he has no other defining character traits. The fact that the story is kinda weak here puts the focus on them, and the characters as written just aren't up to it. Performances aside.
There's a few other problems. Julia does a dramatic swoon into Ellery's arms, but a few minutes later is all smiles as she's reunited with her fiancée. Robert Hogan is annoyingly one-note as ex-con Gordon, and he points out that he could murder Julia, to Julia, as a means of noting that he's trustworthy. As one says to one's fiancé: "I could kill you, but I'm not, and that proves you must really love me." Gaak.
Geraldine Brooks isn't bad as the scorned housekeeper, and Orson Bean as the plant-obsessed nephew is pretty good. Although I thought he was Roddy McDowell at first. It's likes Lee Marvin and James Coburn. If you can't get McDowell, get Bean.
Overall... Chinese Dog just kind of meanders on, to a mildly dissatisfying conclusion.
But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?
IMO the worst episode.
wkozak22124 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This episode starts out ok. However, it goes downhill quick. The storyline is weak. The solution is disappointing. The worst thing is the acting. There are a lot of talented people in the cast. I felt sorry for Orson Bean, and Eugene Roche they acted like they never acted before. The acting is D-. Too bad.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
