Thriller (TV Series) Murder Is a One-Act Play (1974) User Reviews

Pretty decent, just stretching it in such a strong Series.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 15 May 2018]

Series 3 of Thriller is for my money the best, Death to Sister Mary follows the two superb episodes Coffin for the Bride and I'm the man he wants to kill. It has more good points then bad, and once again features a fantastic lead performance from Robert Powell, and some nice chilling moments.

You need to stretch your imagination a little with this one, it's hard to believe that even back in the 1970's someone could gain access to so many places without challenge. You must also stretch to believing that none of the main players suspected this creepy guy of any wrong doings, or that there wasn't a single eye witness.

A few gripes that's all, nothing majorly wrong, Powell as I mentioned was great, Jennie Linden was also really strong in the title role. The ending is very entertaining, wonderfully theatrical, and the core storyline itself is fantastic, a fan becoming totally obsessed with someone's on screen persona, the lines blurred between fantasy and reality.

Pretty Good. 6/10

The Object of His Affection!!

[kidboots · 7/10 · 21 March 2011]

Robert Powell was considered a real heart throb when I used to avidly watch him in "Doomwatch" (I sound a bit like a "fanatical fan" myself) - his picture was in all the teen magazines of the day (like "Fab" etc). Who knew he was an outstanding actor as well, but he was certainly that, as the suave, ruthless killer in the first episode of "Thriller" - "Ladykiller". He plays a different type of killer here - his Mr. Rook is a lonely, introverted man who is a "fanatical" fan of Sister Mary, the star of the soap opera "Saints and Sinners". Well, she isn't really the "star" and that is a big problem for Rook, who takes the show extremely seriously.

The episode starts when Mark Fields (George Maharis) an up and coming star of the soap, is almost bludgeoned to death in a car park - it is easy to see who is the "hidden" killer - his glasses are a dead give away. There has already been a murder before the show even starts but the "interesting" (or laughable) thing is that as all the "accidents" pile up no one connects them with the quite weird guy, who is always hanging around the set and can't accept that Penny Stacy (Jennie Linden) who plays "Sister Mary", is only an actress and not a real nun!!! His main purpose is to set up a fan club dedicated to Sister Mary and Penny (up until literally the last five minutes) is flattered by his devotion.

This "Thriller" does not rank with the best, it is not the worst one I have seen - it falls somewhere in the middle and I agree with the other reviewer - no-one seems to put two and two together, even when a couple of the "targets" meet with the same sort of accidents - hit and run. Mark is the only person who smells a rat. A lot of the interest with "Thriller" is in the stars that were often stars in their day (even though nobody knows them today). Jennie Linden, was featured in Ken Russell's controversial "Women in Love". Leigh Lawson was a sex symbol of his day, who not only had a long time relationship with Hayley Mills but is now married to Twiggy. George Maharis was the token American, most of the episodes had one, and will always be remembered for the innovative "Route 66" series of the early 1960s. Derek Fowlds, who played young Dickie, is known for, not only "Yes, Minister" and "Yes, Prime Minister" but as Sergeant Blaketon in "Heartbeat".

Worst Of Series Three so far

[IanIndependent · 5/10 · 16 August 2021]

A rather pedestrian episode that never really went anywhere and, unfortunately, whereas some of the weaker films in the series were improved by fine performances there wasn't any stand out characters to gave the story a lift.

Not that Robert Powell was ineffective in the role as the delusional obsessive or that Jennie Linden didn't bring the small scale, small screen, star she played to life but both were wasted in roles that had little more depth than the descriptions I've just given them.

So, not one of the best and certainly the worst of season three so far and also the worst ending which features a cheap rickety set and a death scene from Powell that was somehow both over dramatic and boring.

Some good moments, but stretching credibility too far

[lists-9 · 4/10 · 15 September 2005]

Despite some good moments, this really doesn't work as a credible story. Robert Powell and Jennie Linden both make the best of the script, but this comes across as one of Brian Clemens' lesser efforts.

It should be obvious to all the characters from an early stage who is attacking them, and Penny herself is unbelievably gullible. This kind of story becomes increasingly predictable, and yet there are none of the trademark 'Thriller' twists. Because the outcome is already clear a third of the way into the story, there is no suspense. While I realise that the whole series is based on implication, it's hard to believe in the character impaled on huge shards of glass at the climax who DOESN'T BLEED...

Fame Fame Fatal Fame

[analoguebubblebath · 8/10 · 30 August 2005]

'Death To Sister Mary' was aired as part of Thriller's outstanding third season and once again sees Robert Powell in the leading role - albeit a very different character to the one played in the series opening story 'Lady Killer'.

The story is based around a soap opera called Saints and Sinners of which Powell's introspective Mr Rook is an avid fan. His attention is particularly driven towards Penny Stacey who plays the part of Sister Mary (played by Jennie Linden) and he quickly makes himself known to her by visiting the studio. He wastes no time by informing Sister Mary that he wishes to set up a fanclub dedicated to her and to the viewer's surprise she has no hesitation in supplying him with her home address.

It is obvious from the outset that Rook is a far more harmful individual than his meek demeanour suggests. A series of unpleasant accidents take place involving the soap's other stars and it is compelling to watch the deluded Rook as he relentlessly pursues his obsession.

George Maharis gives a good account of himself as the protective Mark Fields who gradually discovers that Penny may be in more danger than she realises.

A fine effort.