Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) The Classic Murder (1992) User Reviews

A thought provoking whodunnit.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 10 April 2023]

Jessica meets to discuss business with her editor Sally, she explains that her wealthy father Buck is set to buy out the publishing company, the night she meets him, he vanishes, together with $150 million. Psychic Marika Valente claims Buck is dead.

This is definitely a very good, very memorable episode, a good set of characters, well acted, and doesn't it make a change for the victim to be one of the good guys for a change. It's a straight up murder mystery, nobody plays for laughs or chuckles, it's a straight down the line drama.

Lansbury shines once again, she's in good company here. Apart from the man in England, who sounds posher than King Charles.

I am always struck by just how tasteful American decor has been over the years, and this is no exception, the interior of Buck's home is so tasteful.

What can you say about Marika, pretty much a carbon copy of the late Mystic Meg, she was definitely an interesting character, there was a lot going on there.

8/10.

The classic murder

[coltras35 · 7/10 · 24 May 2022]

When a millionaire disappears, a psychic claims that he is dead. Has Jessica Fletcher stumbled upon another murder mystery? Another decent mystery with some good twists and turns.

A decent episode...with a rather weak ending.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 21 May 2023]

Doug Dimmidome, no, I mean Buck Wilson, is a very, very rich man who is worth many millions of dollars...if not billions. He has a wide variety of financial interests and is now considering buying the publishing company which publishes Jessica's books. But before he can complete the transaction, he disappears and might just be dead.

This episode is engaging. But the end was quite weak. After Jessica and the police catch the criminal, they then confess at length and fill in all sorts of missing details. This sort of exposition is unusual and hardly believable...and it was done to fill in missing plot holes along the way. Still, enjoyable and worth seeing.

Oil's Quiet on the Vintage Automobile Running Board (but Not the Corporate Board).

[WeatherViolet · 9/10 · 25 October 2009]

Billionaire Tulsa oil tycoon Buck Wilson (Wayne Tippit) has diversified his corporate holdings to venture into outlets such as Buck's Buckaroo Restaurant, in New York City, to feature everything from line dancing to fortune telling.

Buck's mansion outside of town provides residence to the family away from their positions in the city.

Most of the action in this episode centers around the posh living quarters of Buck, his sister, Janine Foster (Rita Taggart); Janine's husband and Buck's business partner, George Foster (John Rubinstein), Buck's son and protégé, B.J. Wilson (Michael E. Knight); Buck's daughter, a book editor, Sally Wilson (Jessica Tuck); plus the family's domestic staff, Housekeeper Mrs. Oates (Louise Latham), and Chauffeur Carl Graham (Stephen Liska).

Her position as editor finds Sally's working directly with author Jessica "J.B." Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), during their times together in New York City, where she prefers to work out of Jessica's apartment rather than in Sally's office.

When Sally invites Jessica to the opening of Buck's Buckaroo Restaurant, they meet the relatives, as well as fortune teller Marika Valenti (Natalia Nogulich), who provides lounge entertainment.

But the next morning at Jessica's apartment, Sally receives notification that a family member is missing, so Sally invites Jessica to the mansion, to which Marika Valenti is also summoned to provide psychic assistance, to Sally's disapproval.

B.J.'s old friend, now Police Sergeant Tom Jarrow (John D'Aquino), also arrives to investigate, to receive Sally's mixed feelings, while Jessica, Marika and Tom join forces to search the property with remaining family members and staff on hand.

Sergeant Tom Jarrow may well stand in contention for the record as the most polite and soft-spoken law enforcement officer of the twelve seasons of "Murder, She Wrote," with his efficient professionalism and caring manners even though he remains true to form to the lion's share of "MSW" officers' practice of jumping to the wrong conclusion, and focusing upon an innocent suspect, when it is discovered that $150 million has been embezzled from the family corporation, and Jessica begins to discover bodies around the premises.

One body surfaces beneath a dry cistern, as predicted by Marika, and another turns up in the rear seat of a vintage automobile, hence this episode title "The Classic Murder."

The cast is rounded out by Deputy (Anthony S. Johnson); Molly, the Waitress at Buck's Buckaroo (Lisa Melilli); Scotland Yard Inspector Moss (Julian Barnes); and Phil, the Shipping Clerk (Charles Hoyes).

Not classic, but not bad at all for a Season 9 episode

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 3 November 2017]

Have always been quite fond of 'Murder She Wrote'. It is a fun and relaxing watch that makes you think as you try to unwind in the evening. If one wants more complex, twisty mysteries with lots of tension and suspense 'Murder She Wrote' may not be for you, but if you want something light-hearted and entertaining but still provide good mysteries 'Murder She Wrote' fits the bill just fine.

A classic 'Murder She Wrote' episode "The Classic Murder" may not be, but as far as Season 9 goes it is one of the better ones by quite some way. Considering that the previous episodes of the season to me were largely disappointing, especially "The Dead File", "A Murder in Milan" and "The Mole". Not much wrong here actually, but the killer is a little too easy to spot (up to this point in Season 9, the only episode where the solution was a surprise was "The Wind Around the Tower") and the whole psychic business was at first a slightly strange inclusion with Natalija Nogulich over-egging it somewhat.

On the other hand, the mystery is lively and engaging with some nice twists along the way. Angela Lansbury is terrific as ever, justifying why Jessica Fletcher is one of the roles she is best remembered by, and while there's nobody that's amazing the supporting cast are solid.

Production values are slick and stylish. The music has energy and has presence but also not making the mistake of over-scoring, while it is hard to forget or resist the theme tune.

Writing is amiable and keeps one on their toes guessing, while taking itself seriously at other times without going overboard.

In summary, pretty good for a Season 9 episode especially for the early half of the season. 7/10 Bethany Cox