Barnaby Jones (TV Series) The Murdering Class (1973) User Reviews

Barnaby takes on some high school students who think they are smarter than him.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 3 July 2021]

Shortly after the episode begins, a teacher at a fancy prep school finds one of his students just after he broke into this office. The student panics and knocks the teacher into some cabinets...killing him. Soon the student's friend comes upon the scene and insists they shouldn't call the police but should set it up to look as if the teacher died after getting drunk. The dead teacher's sister hires Barnaby Jones to investigate and prove her brother wasn't drunk...nor that he stole the money he is now accused of stealing. Can Barbaby figure out the crime?

The ring leader of these students is a very smart young man who thinks he is even smarter than he actually is....something Jones is able to use against him when investigating the case. In other words, it's less Jones' acumen that solve the case and more the student's hubris which makes this a very interesting episode.

Overall, quite well made and enjoyable....and a show that leaves you wanting to see more.

Really Really Good Story Keeping Your Attention

[donnamariejones · 9/10 · 4 May 2024]

This is a very interesting episode that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I chi helped when i read the synopsis because i recently saw similar storyline on Streets of San Francisco with Christopher Tabori playing a student who needs good grades to please his father. And a similar story too on Kojak with William Katt as one of the 2 students in the same situation. All 3 excellent story lines and although similar each of the stories has a different entanglement involved to unwind and solve. All the actors involved especially the students were very keen and cunning and dramatic. This episode is worth viewing. If you have a chance watch Streets of San Francisco- Most Likely to Succeed and Kojak Life, Liberation and the Pursuit of Death. The streets of San Francisco has a recognizable and great cast.

TRY AND CATCH ME, IF YOU CAN.

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 26 May 2022]

There were some very clever villains in this series, much in the tradition of COLUMBO, but writer Robert Sherwood changed gears and had Barnaby match wits against a trio of preppy high school kids. And what a tangled web they weave. 10 Stars for originality.

This was an early role for popular twenty-something actor Andrew Parks (as Lomax), son of Oscar nominee Larry Parks and tv actress Betty Garrett. He steals the show as the arrogant, calculating "brains of the outfit," involved in the accidental death of the head master of his school. It's all about tests, grades and college. If you're keeping notes, this is one of the few episodes where the suspects could have gotten a lesser charge, had they simply told the truth. Parks is spot on in this role, which probably lead to similar parts in many other cop shows, like CANNON. Interestingly, Parks comes off as a younger version of such sly villains as Jack Cassidy and Anthony Zerbe. Watch him trying to outwit Barnaby. A classic give and take.

Veteran actress Geraldine Brooks, who worked with Joan Crawford and was a close friend, plays the victim's sister (Janet) who smells a rat. Her brother is played by John Carter, his first appearance on the show, soon to join the cast as Lt. Biddle.

Exceptionally written, again with shades of COLUMBO. The prime reason is the suspects talk too much --while Barnaby hangs onto every word. And that's what nails them. Also a case Barnaby could have easily lost, and what makes it so fascinating to watch. A gem.

Directed by Ralph Senensky, who later directed WALTONS and HART TO HART. Ralph directed three episodes for the series, much in the style of main director Walter Grauman.

This was the 4th episode, SEASON 1. Remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd box set.