Ellery Queen: A Fan Site
This was a fan site for those who were intrigued by the Ellery Queen Mysteries.
Content is from the site's 1999- 2002 archived pages.
Enjoy all Ellery Queen fans
Now why would we choose the 1975 television adaptation of Ellery Queen to profile through a website? More than thirty years later...
Quite simply, we consider the author as well as the character, to be the quintessential master of audience involved mystery; and the Jim Hutton characterization to be the most engaging, charming, and classic. A perpetual fountain of profound deduction; yet every once in a while a sparkling wit that manages to divert a spray of that endless genius with such whimsical ingenuity that the most serious watcher’s fancy is set dancing with delight. Such is the case with this marvelous series, which – set in the 1940’s – enhances each scene with period piece perfection. Add to this the dynamic of father and son, so perfectly matched as Hutton with veteran actor, David Wayne, and the Queens reach true royalty status. Rounding out the cast, John Hillerman’s portrayal of Radio Mystery Master, Simon Brimmer — a perfect foil for Ellery; and Ken Swofford’s newspaper loudmouth, Frank Flannigan bring the series familiarity and depth.
As a maritime injury lawyer, I’ve always believed that the heart of our work lies in careful observation, disciplined reasoning, and an unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth—values I first fell in love with as a longtime fan of Ellery Queen. Discovering this site felt like stepping back into that world of meticulous deduction and intellectual honesty that made the character so enduring. Ellery Queen never rushed to judgment; he gathered every fact, examined every contradiction, and invited the audience to think critically before revealing the solution. That approach resonates deeply with how my team advocates for injured maritime workers. In complex Jones Act and maritime claims, the truth is often buried beneath layers of corporate narratives, incomplete logs, and missing witnesses. Like Queen, we reconstruct events piece by piece, challenge assumptions, and make sure the full story is told—because justice, much like a great mystery, depends on getting every detail right. This site beautifully preserves that spirit of thoughtful investigation and respect for the audience, and it reminds me why clear thinking and persistence matter, whether you’re solving a fictional whodunit or fighting for real people who’ve been hurt doing dangerous work at sea. Markus Judson
llery Queen is arguably the greatest fictional detective of American creation, but despite several attempts in diverse styles, until 1975, he had never been accurately portrayed in movies or on television. The great complexity of plot and depth of character that marked the extraordinary series of Queen novels almost never survived in attempts to transfer them to visual formats, and the part was often played for comedy (one of the first movie Queens was comic Eddie Quillan).
The character of Ellery Queen was re-fashioned for the NBC series as well, but there were legitimate bases in the books for most of the characteristics that Jim Hutton displayed in the role. More importantly, Hutton’s charm and natural manner played perfectly against David Wayne’s crusty Inspector (though Wayne lacked the mustache so often mentioned in the books, his is otherwise the definitive depiction of The Old Man). The show had a sense of good humor, and its setting in 1947 made nostalgia an important component of its success.
Though the episodes varied in quality, none was poor, and even the weakest of them (probably Chinese Dog, which takes the meticulously-drawn town of Wrightsville from several novels and turns it into a hicksville populated by idiots) are redeemed by the plots, the production values, and the marvelous casts.
Adding to the authentic feel of the series is the “challenge to the viewer,” in which Hutton as Queen turns to the camera, and invites the audience to add up the clues and name the guilty party. This is a direct visual analogue to the “Challenge to the Reader” that appeared in the earlier Queen novels just before the solution was revealed. Only sometimes Hutton gives too many hints!
The episodes seen in syndication have been cut by several minutes each. The first thing to go is the clever opening montage, in which the announcer says something like, “This famous song-writer is about to be murdered. Who is guilty? Is it ...” Each suspect is shown in a brief clip, speaking a short phrase (sometimes deliberately excerpted to look off-beat and humorous), then: “Match wits with Ellery Queen and see if you can guess WhoDunit!” This is all cut from the edited shows, which begin directly with the stylish opening credits, accompanied by Elmer Bernstein’s Big-Band 40’s-type theme music. A few minutes of program content have been trimmed from within each episode itself, which is unfortunate because the amusing by-plays between Queen and his Dad are usually the first things to go. Even edited, however, this is as fine a mystery series as American television has given us.
eing a web developer by trade, I was surprised to see that this remarkable show had little or no real online representation. A few individuals had written a page here or there — usually little more than a footnote to articles about the Lee/Dannay Ellery Queen novels. While the novels are wonderful, and I've read as many of them as I can get my hands on, I felt the television adaptation was of such high calibre that it needed its own spotlight. Hence, this site.
We sincerely thank the individuals that helped with this endeavor, and we mention them specifically in our Links area. As for showings of the series — it was originally shown on A&E (I believe in 1992-94) as part of their Mystery Theatre. These were the cut versions. Then in August of 1995, uncut episodes of the series aired on the Encore Mystery channel (that's a part of the “Encore 8,” usually seen only on Satellite Systems) and dedicated to mystery-themed programming. This was the first time these programs had been seen in their complete form since the original network broadcasts. I was lucky enough to get about 1/2 of them on tape at this time — the old A&E; tapes beginning to show their wear. Thanksgiving of 1997 marked the last showings of Ellery on Encore, and the entire year of 1998 it went unshown. In January of 1999, the syndication rights were acquired by Nick At Nite’s TV Land, though they show it sporadically, out of order, and in cut form. I'd love to see this show get some of the respect that it deserves.
There are unconfirmed rumors about a possibility of a re-make (probably as a TV Movie) with Jim Hutton’s son, Tim playing the role his late father made famous. Sadly, Jim Hutton passed away of liver cancer in 1979 and we lost David Wayne in 1995 of lung cancer. The legacy they left behind was short-lived, but a true gem.
|
NOTE: Some episode listings will offer audio files in mp3 format of the Opening Narrator Sequence — where the suspects are named and shown and the announcer asks you to "Match wits with Ellery Queen and see if you can guess Whodunnit!" This sequence is always cut from the syndicated versions (a crime in itself), so wherever possible, we'll be bringing these to you. |
| Ellery Queen (aka Too Many Suspects) Movie Length — Considered the series pilot Director: David Greene Featuring: Jim Hutton as Ellery Queen David Wayne as Inspector Richard Queen Tom Reese as Sergeant Velie Ray Milland as Carson McKell Monte Markham as Tom McKell Kim Hunter as Marion McKell Gail Strickland as Gail Stevens Tim O'Connor as Ben Waterson Vic Mohica as Ramon Franny Michel as Penny Nancy Mehta as Monica Gray and introducing John Hillerman as Simon Brimmer Source: Novel — The Fourth Side of the Triangle Original Air Date: 03/23/75 Pilot film for the series that followed. The novel was simplified and the most important clues significantly altered in this otherwise handsomely mounted and well-played production. But even at 96 minutes it contained hardly any padding. |
|
The Adventure of Auld Lang Syne Director: David Greene Original Air Date: 09/11/75 This story of a murder on New Year's Eve (1946) is charming and smart, one of the best in the series, with even a couple of touching moments, and a clever, but completely fair, dying clue. A wealthy man is murdered after excusing himself from the posh ballroom to make a phone call to his lawyer. This just moments after revealing his plans to disinherit his companions. An ingenious use of the real Guy Lombardo lends great credibility to this episode. |
| The Adventure of the Lover's Leap Director: Charles S. Dubin Featuring: Don Ameche as Dr. Norman Marsh Jack Kelley as Attorney J.T. Latimer Ida Lupino as Stephanie Talbott Kendrick Craig Stevens as Jonathan Kendrick Anne Francis as Nurse Evelyn Chandler Susan Strasberg as Cathy Kendrick Jason Wingreen as Roy Miller Nina Roman as Grace Basil Hoffman as Technical Print Man James Lydon as Radio Actor John Lawlor as Radio Technician and John Hillerman as Simon Brimmer Original Air Date: 09/18/75 "How do you put up with him?!" "Practice..." While reading an Ellery Queen book (of the same name as this episode's title), Fountain Pen Heiress Stephanie Kendrick begins having all the same experiences as the character in the book. From hearing noises to having an overwhelming urge to leap off the balcony! It isn't long till she's found dead at the bottom of that balcony, but did she really leap on her own? And if so, why? |
| The Adventure of the Chinese Dog Director: Ernest Pintoff Featuring: Orson Bean as Warren Wright Katherine Crawford as Julia Wright Eugene Roche as Sherrif Oscar Eberhart Murray Hamilton as Henry Palmer Geraldine Brooks as Tilda McDonald Robert F. Simon as Eben Wright Robert Hogan as Gordon Wilde Jerry Fogel as Deputy Ralph Brown Hal Smith as Coroner Will Bailey Bill Quinn as Reverend J.P. Dell Dee Wallace as Waitress Original Air Date: 09/25/75 "You mean you forgot?" "Dad — I think I forgot... not sure I forgot. But I think I forgot." "How could you forget?!" A wealthy man — owner of a multi-million dollar galoshes factory and grandson of the town's founder — is murdered. He's been struck by an ornamental dog figurine meant as a wedding gift for his daughter and worth a half million dollars. On the scene to investigate is a Sherrif up for election, whose heels are being nipped at by rival Henry Palmer. Palmer enlists the aid of the vacationing Queens when he thinks old Sherrif Eberhart can't handle the first murder in Wrightsville in decades. |
| The Adventure of the Comic Book Crusader Director: Peter Hunt Featuring: Tom Bosley as Bud Armstrong Lynda Day George as Alma Van Dine Donald O'Connor as Kenny Freeman Joseph Maher as Lyle Shannon Eddie Firestone as Phil Collins George Sperdakos as Vincent Porter Alan Landers as Ronald Himes Herbie Faye as Moe Fletcher Sandy Ward as Jail Guard Archie Johnson as Deputy Commissioner Maggie Nelson as Vera and Ken Swofford as Frank Flannigan Original Air Date: 10/02/75 This episode opens with a fiery-angy Ellery Queen (we don't often see a high-level of emotion in EQ) at the offices of money-grubbing Comic Mogul, Bud Armstrong. It seems they are putting out a Comic Book version of The Adventures of Ellery Queen in which EQ is played with heavy-handed violence. (There actually was an Ellery Queen comic, by the way.) Ellery is even more angered to learn that Capricorn Comics is owned by his publisher's company and they can get away with this legally via some hidden small print in his contract. So it's no wonder he ends up threatening Mr. Armstrong. Needless to say, later that day Armstrong — vicious to each of his employees and unwilling to give credit for their work, nor release them from contracts — ends up quite dead. |
| The Adventure of the 12th Floor Express Director: Jack Arnold Featuring: Pat Harrington as Mitchell McCully Dina Merrill as Harriet Manners Ruth McDevitt as Zelda Van Dyke George Furth as Albert Klinger Paul Stewart as Thornton Johns Kip Niven as Arthur Van Dyke John Finnegan as Fred Durnhoffer (Elevator Starter) Tyler McVey as Henry Manners Suzanne Arnold as Judy Adams Sandy de Bruin as Sally Kristin Larkin as Dorothy and Ken Swofford as Frank Flannigan Original Air Date: 10/09/75 "Queen – comma – Ellery. Mystery writer of some reknown. Born April 2nd. New York City 1912. Father — Queen – comma – Richard. Inspector New York City Police Department." — Arthur Van Dyke |
| The Adventure of Miss Aggie's Farewell Performance Director: James Sheldon Featuring: Eve Arden as Vera Bethune (Miss Aggie) Bert Parks as Lawrence Denver Betty White as Louise Demery Paul Shenar as Wendell Warren John McGiver as Mr. Pearl Nan Martin as Olivia Burns Gerald Hiken as Alvin Burns Joseph R. Sicari as Gus Geropolis Penelope Windust as Anita Leslie Beatrice Colen as Mary Lou Gumm Hilda Haynes as Nurse Frawley Nina Roman as Grace Sidney Miller as Morgue Attendant Don Keefer as The Fence and John Hillerman as Simon Brimmer Original Air Date: 10/19/75 "Queen... Queen! He's not the fellow who writes all the whodunits?! |
| The Adventure of Colonel Niven's Memoirs Director: Seymour Robbie Featuring: Lloyd Bochner as Colonel Alec Niven Robert Loggia as Alexsei Dobrenskov Nina Van Pallandt as Sonja Dobrenskov Gretchen Corbett as Jenny O'Brien Pernell Roberts as Rosh Kaleel/Barney Groves/Major George Pearson Rene Auberjonois as Marcel Fourchet Peter Bromilow as Colin Esterbrook Caryn Matchinga as Glenda Dunlap Jonathan Hole as Dress Shop Manager Claude Earl Jones as Mounted Officer Original Air Date: 10/23/75 "Uh, Dad - Think you could take care of that for me? Now, I got that |
| The Adventure of the Mad Tea Party
Director: James Sheldon Source: short story — The Adventure of the Mad Tea Party |
|
The Adventure of Veronica's Veils Director: Seymour Robbie "The name is Simon Brimmer. |
|
The Adventure of the Pharoah's Curse Inspector Queen: "It's past your bedtime." |
|
The Adventure of the Blunt Instrument Director: Ernest Pintoff "We're going to nip this thing in the bud. I've got the most fantastic cure-all. Hot lemondade and sassafrass — mixed with the extract of a pound of calves' liver. And after a rub-down with menthol and oil of peppermint, you take a bath in scalding chicken soup — hold the noodles..." |
|
The Adventure of the Black Falcon "There's nothing so sacred as true sentiment shared intimately by |
|
The Adventure of the Sunday Punch Director: Seymour Robbie A prizefighter is killed while training for a Championship bout and when guilt points toward his sparring partner Joe Adams, Joe's girlfriend seeks out Ellery to prove his innocence. The autopsy discovers death due to poison, but who could have done it? Was it the fiance that he abused? Her father, the fight doctor? The mobster who needed him to take a dive? His manager who was being muscled? |
|
The Adventure of the Eccentric Engineer Director: Peter H. Hunt When a formerly brilliant, now seemingly senile inventor is murdered in his electric train workshop, the mystery is afoot. It seems no one could have come in or gone out during the period of time when the murder must have taken place. In order to get admittance to the train room, one had to have a "ticket." This narrows the suspects down to his family and his business associates. |
|
The Adventure of the Wary Witness Director: William Doniger One of the most serious episodes of the series, and one of the best. Can Ellery help the accused murderer of mobster Nick Danello find a missing witness who can prove his innocence? Ellery feels obligated and more emotionally involved than in other cases, as the defendant is his old college buddy, Lin Hagen. But things don't seem to be adding up. The missing witness (a mysterious woman in a green dress) has left her fingerprints nowhere in the apartment. And her description could match most of the women in New York. |
|
The Adventure of the Judas Tree Director: Walter Doniger Ellery and his Dad investigate when wealthy industrialist and former war profiteer George Sherman is stabbed to death with a Chinese ceremonial dagger and then dragged out of the house and hung from a tree. The tree is popularly known as a Judas tree, and a crown of flowers has been placed on his head. Six sets of fingerprints and plenty of motive to go around leave the Queens with much to sift through. And when they discover the victim was dying of acute lymphoma and had only months left to live, the plot thickens. |
|
The Adventure of the Sinister Scenario Director: Peter H. Hunt "I didn't know...I finessed him, Dad." An interesting concept: the Queens go to Hollywood to watch the filming of an adaptation of an Ellery Queen novel into a movie. The good Inspector is just positive they'll be mixing with the glamorous Hollywood elite any moment now, but it never seems to happen. At the studio, they meet the fellow that will be playing Inspector Queen (Noah Beery) as well as the star, Gilbert Mallory (Troy Donahue) who'll be the "Ellery Queen" of the epic. Mallory is a real ass to everyone on the set from fellow actors to director and proves himself to be a philandering husband as well. So we aren't terribly shocked when he is murdered. |
|
The Adventure of the Two-Faced Woman Director: Jack Arnold While visiting Simon Brimmer's radio studios, Ellery gets a call that socialite Lillian McGraw has been stabbed. Learning of this, Simon shares with Ellery the events of the day in which he was present as Mrs. McGraw purchased three hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of paintings at the Prescott Galleries. This affords the episode the luxury of a series of flashbacks as told through Brimmer, where we get to know the murder victim a bit more than usual. |
|
The Adventure of the Tyrant of Tin Pan Alley Director: Seymour Robbie "Can you imagine anyone being that absent minded?" |
|
The Adventure of Caesar's Last Sleep Director: Richard Michaels A mobster who is going to be the star witness for an ambitious prosecutor is killed. Trouble is, Inspector Queen's office was in charge of guarding the witness who has yet to complete his testimony about organized crime, so the crusading prosecutor goes after IQ's scalp. Before you know it, the finger of suspicion points to Inspector Queen's right hand man, Sgt. Velie, whose brother-in-law owns a restaurant that mobster Benny Franks frequents. When things get publicly hot Inspector Queen is told he's too old for the job and relies too much on his son. |
|
The Adventure of the Hard-Hearted Huckster Director: Edward Abroms The then-new world of television is the backdrop for this yarn. When the marketing exec for Quick Silver Tobacco Company is off'd while alone in his office having lunch, it's a lucky thing both Ellery Queen and Frank Flanagan are on the scene. Ellery is there to get some research information for a new book, and Frank has just been offered his own radio show to be sponsored by Quick Silver Cigars. But when James Blevin Long is murdered, his disdain for television is out of the way and Flannigan's offer is switched to a TV show. |
|
The Adventure of the Disappearing Dagger Director: Jack Arnold Ellery probes the murder of a retired detective who was killed while investigating a five-year-old unsolved homicide case. Another impossible crime situation, and a reasonably good one, leads us to both cases solved by the conclusion of the episode. |
 |
June 25, 2001: Still having trouble getting the search engines to re-index us. What a bummer this has been. On the positive side, I've just aquired a host of vintage photos from the show and we'll be getting them up on the site shortly. |
|
April 25, 2001: We're back at a different domain. Our former domain (elleryqueentv.com) was commandeered by an adult (porno) site. How did this happen? Our domain renewal notice was sent to our old address. The day we received it after the post office stored it before sending it on, was the SAME DAY these low-lifes took the name. If you're here reading this, you know we re-registered at elleryqueenshow.com. However, search engines will forever be sending EQ fans to porno sites. What a shame. We tried to fight this one to no avail. Their answer was basically, "tough luck". :( |
|
December 25, 2000: Merry Christmas, fellow EQ fans. It hasn't seemed so Christmas-y with the election stuff this year, but the snow here has been truly magical looking, so it more than made up for it. Family and spirit are what it's all about! |
|
June, 2000: Added images to gallery... And... Our site was featured in Mystery Buff Magazine! It's always fun getting a little recognition. ;) |
|
February 5, 2000: Well, a move to a new city and a major job shift have once again kept me too busy to update the news on this page (though I have tried to keep popping in to update certain areas when possible.) TVLand has had Ellery on the schedule; off the schedule; on; off... it's getting hard to know when it might be on. I think they use the show like a ping-pong ball - whenever they have an hour that needs filling. Without most viewers ever finding it, are they surprised it doesn't get them high enough ratings?? If they would give it the time slot and promotional respect they give their "real" series', the show could gain a following. They could do a marathon, or -gasp- show some of them uncut!! Perhaps even the pilot!! Well, keep bugging them, folks. Nice to be back. Thanks to all of you who have kept sending in letters about the show and the site! |
|
July 7, 1999: And how does a webmaster respond when a visitor blames them personally for the suspension of the show from TVLand? |
|
July 6, 1999: Sorry to have been away so long... work took me pretty far afield this time - out of the country - so I am quite behind in all my more enjoyable pursuits. Sadly, while I was gone, I learned that EQ had been removed from the TVLand schedule. This may be temporary and it may come back. Also, I've gotten a few hopeful whispers from Columbia House (no commitment yet - so keep writing!) |
|
April 24, 1999: The Letter-Writing campaign to TVLand really paid off!! We have heard back from literally hundreds of you who have been dedicated and caring enough to write to TVLand as well as writing to us to let us know. We are very grateful! With the debut of the May 1999 broadcast schedule, the proof was in - TVLand had heard our voices and added the rest of the series' episodes into rotation. They are ALL being shown now! Now we have a New Mission! We are going to turn our enthusiasm and energy into an effort to persuade Columbia House (via their "re-tv" Classic TV Video Library offerings), to offer "Ellery Queen" on video in restored, complete and uncut format. This classic deserves to be preserved as so many other television icons have been. Please visit our Columbia House Video Project page to learn more and be a part of it! |
|
April 4, 1999: Added more images (meaning an extra page) to the "Usual Suspects" Photo Gallery pages. We are up to 104 great shots from the series now! |
|
April 1, 1999: Many of you have been of tremendous help in our letter-writing campaign to TV Land. We are so gratified to have heard from so many visitors! It appears it may all have paid off! The new schedules now show that TV Land is finally showing some of the episodes they've not been airing. Not all, but most of them! Keep those letters going to TV Land to let them know we want the show to continue. We'd like to send out a special thanks to Peggy Tapek for her tireless work in keeping all mystery venues aware of our site and our campaign. What a trooper! She's a regular Sergeant Velie! :) |
|
March 21, 1999: We have completed all episode synopses with full cast/character lists in our >Casebook page. It was fun watching all the episodes again! |
|
March 18, 1999: We have launched a Letter Writing Campaign to TV Land to get the unshown episodes of Ellery Queen to be aired. Of the 22 epiosdes plus pilot, they only air 13 of them over and over. Please visit our Calling All Fans! page to read more about this. And then - take a few moments to let your voice be heard! |
|
March 15, 1999: A visitor to our site, Dennis Willett, sent us a great shot of David Wayne in his Batman days as the "Mad Hatter". We've included it in the Cast/Character page for David Wayne. Thanks, Dennis. While we were at it, we finally added the "Higgins" photo of John Hillerman from his days in Magnum, PI. |
|
March 11, 1999: Lots of new additions. We have added a new area -Trivia & Incidentals that affords us a showcase for items that simply don't fit into one of the more structured areas. We offer a great selection of TV Guide Articles and Features on the show, plus reviews, retrospectives and more. We'll be adding some great behind-the-scenes stuff we're working on now as well. Plus, we'd love to have >your submissions if you'd like to write something original or have an article or some trivia to share. By the way, we have since learned that a number of people wrote to Nick-At-Nite/TV Land to request more Ellery Queen showings. We sincerely thank Peggy Tapek for helping to get the word out! |
|
March 7, 1999: Nick at Nite's TV Land is showing Ellery Queen weekdays at 1pm (EST) throughout the month of March (starting March 8, 1999.) Here's your chance to catch more of this great show... and get a few on tape if you like! I had written the programming department there with our disappointment at their not having scheduled any EQ showings for March, and voila! The next week they were placed into rotation. Did our letter prompt this, or is this simply coincidence? Let's just say it can't hurt to write them. When they first released their March schedule, EQ was not on it. |
|
March 1, 1999: We've added sound files to the site. We have begun offering the Opening Narrator Sequences from the episodes to the Episode Guide. These are the first things to go in the cut (syndicated) versions, so many people have never even heard these. We're also offering the Opening Theme, Closing Theme and some great Incidental Music from the show. These can be downloaded/played from the first page of ourGallery. They are in mp3 format. If you don't have a player or need to learn more about the format, there are links with the sound files to allow you to download/learn about mp3 . |
|
February 17, 1999: We have become an Amazon.com partner so that we can more easily bring you our recommendations for Ellery Queen books (and books-on-tape), plus other great mysteries and even the films of our star, Jim Hutton. A small portion of the purchase price of anything you buy via referral from this site goes to the upkeep and maintenance of our site. You can browse, shop, or search by visiting our Book Store! And let us know if you have any recommendations you think we should include. |
|
February 15, 1999: We were chosen as a Yahoo! Daily Pick today. We are very gratified about all the wonderful letters we've received about the site and the memories we've been able to bring back to people. It's nice to know there are a lot more fans of this incarnation of EQ out there than I ever realized! We've updated the Episode Guide a bit more. We've been fortunate enough to obtain some original scripts from the show, so the ones we cannot preview from video, we can review via the scripts. |
|
January 27, 1999: Well, we've just gone online so right now, everything's new! Stay tuned to this page for updates on new additions to our site, though. And keep in mind, that suggestions are encouraged. We want this site to be a treat! The Gallery already contains 9 pages (88 images), but we'll be adding a lot more as we have time to review each episode and gather representative images from each. Gallery #6 contains some shots from EQ's classy opening sequence. If you have a photo (good quality please) of any of the cast members or from the show, please upload it to us. Thanks! We are currently working on the Episode Guide. There is at least a short synopsis of each episode (thanks to David Gideon for many of these), but you'll notice that some episodes have long detailed info. As we review each episode, we'll flesh out each of the descriptions, cast lists, etc. |
More Background On ElleryQueenShow.com
ElleryQueenShow.com is a fan-created archival website dedicated to the 1975 television series Ellery Queen. Developed in the early days of widespread internet use, the site serves as a detailed and passionate tribute to a program that, while critically admired, never achieved sustained mainstream prominence. The website functions as both a historical record and a community touchpoint for enthusiasts of classic mystery storytelling.
Unlike modern studio-backed entertainment portals, ElleryQueenShow.com is rooted in personal initiative. It reflects the efforts of an individual webmaster who recognized that the television adaptation of Ellery Queen had limited online representation compared to its literary origins. As a result, the site was designed to fill that gap—offering a centralized, content-rich destination for fans.
Origins, Ownership, and Development
The site was created by an independent web developer and longtime admirer of the series. Its content largely dates from approximately 1999 through 2002, a period when fan sites played a crucial role in preserving media history. The creator explicitly positioned the site as a labor of love rather than a commercial venture, emphasizing depth, accuracy, and completeness.
A notable moment in the site’s history involved the loss of its original domain name due to a missed renewal notice. The domain was subsequently acquired by an unrelated party, forcing the webmaster to relaunch under the ElleryQueenShow.com address. This incident highlights both the fragility of early web projects and the persistence of the creator in maintaining the site’s mission.
The Ellery Queen Legacy
The character Ellery Queen is one of the most significant figures in American mystery fiction. Created by Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee, Ellery Queen is unique in that he exists simultaneously as a fictional detective and a fictional author within the stories. This meta-narrative approach helped distinguish the series from other detective fiction.
The novels are particularly known for their “fair play” structure, where readers are presented with all necessary clues before the solution is revealed. This emphasis on logic, deduction, and audience participation became a defining hallmark of the franchise and would later influence the television adaptation.
Overview of the 1975 Television Series
The 1975 NBC adaptation of Ellery Queen is widely regarded as one of the most faithful screen interpretations of the character. It starred Jim Hutton as Ellery and David Wayne as his father, Inspector Richard Queen.
Set in a stylized version of 1947 New York City, the series blended period detail with intricate mystery plots. The relationship between Ellery and his father served as a central narrative device, balancing intellectual deduction with grounded police work. Supporting characters such as Simon Brimmer added a competitive and often humorous dimension to the storytelling.
One of the show’s most distinctive features was its “Challenge to the Viewer.” Near the conclusion of each episode, Ellery would address the audience directly, inviting them to solve the mystery before the solution was revealed. This mirrored the “Challenge to the Reader” format used in the original novels and reinforced the show’s commitment to interactive storytelling.
Structure and Content of the Website
ElleryQueenShow.com is organized into several key sections, each designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the series:
Episode Guide
The episode guide is one of the most detailed components of the site. It includes summaries of each episode, cast listings, production credits, and narrative highlights. The guide often goes beyond basic descriptions, offering insights into plot structure, recurring themes, and notable performances.
Special attention is given to the pilot episode, which established many of the series’ defining characteristics. The guide also explores how individual episodes adapted or diverged from the original literary works.
Cast and Characters
The site provides extensive information about the main and supporting cast. Jim Hutton is highlighted for his portrayal of Ellery as both intellectually brilliant and charmingly human, while David Wayne is recognized for bringing depth and personality to the role of Inspector Queen.
Recurring characters such as Simon Brimmer and journalist Frank Flannigan are also explored, with commentary on how they contribute to the show’s tone and narrative complexity.
Gallery and Media
The site includes a gallery of images from the series, as well as audio files such as opening narration sequences and theme music. These elements are particularly significant because many were removed from syndicated versions of the show, making their preservation valuable to fans.
Trivia and Additional Content
A dedicated section for trivia and incidental information offers behind-the-scenes details, production anecdotes, and historical context. This section enhances the site’s role as both an informational resource and an entertainment platform.
Historical Context and Broadcast History
The website provides valuable insight into the broadcast history of the series. Originally airing on NBC, the show had a relatively short run despite its quality. It later appeared in syndication, often in edited form, which removed key elements such as opening sequences and character interactions.
In the 1990s, the series was broadcast on networks like A&E and later on TV Land. However, scheduling was inconsistent, and episodes were frequently shown out of order or in truncated versions. The site documents these challenges and highlights the frustration felt by fans seeking a complete viewing experience.
Fan Engagement and Advocacy
One of the most distinctive aspects of ElleryQueenShow.com is its emphasis on fan engagement. The site actively encouraged visitors to participate in campaigns aimed at increasing the show’s visibility and availability.
These initiatives included letter-writing campaigns to television networks, urging them to air more episodes and to present them in uncut form. The site also promoted efforts to secure official video releases through companies like Columbia House.
This level of advocacy demonstrates the site’s role not just as a repository of information, but as a catalyst for community action.
Popularity and Recognition
While ElleryQueenShow.com is a niche site, it achieved notable recognition within its domain. It was featured in publications such as Mystery Buff Magazine and received acknowledgment as a “Yahoo! Daily Pick,” a significant accolade during the early 2000s when Yahoo! played a major role in web discovery.
The site also attracted a dedicated audience of fans who contributed feedback, shared materials, and participated in campaigns. This community engagement helped sustain the site’s relevance and impact.
Cultural and Social Significance
The cultural significance of ElleryQueenShow.com lies in its role as a preservation tool. At a time when many television series were not readily available on home video or digital platforms, fan sites like this one played a crucial role in maintaining public awareness.
The site also reflects broader trends in internet culture, particularly the rise of fan-driven content and grassroots archival efforts. It demonstrates how individuals can contribute to the preservation of media history, often filling gaps left by official channels.
Additionally, the site underscores the enduring appeal of intellectual mystery storytelling. The Ellery Queen series, with its emphasis on logic and audience participation, represents a distinct approach to the genre—one that continues to resonate with viewers and readers alike.
Reviews and Critical Perspective
The tone of the site is overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the creator’s admiration for the series. Episodes are generally described as well-crafted, with strong plots and high production values. Even weaker entries are acknowledged for their redeeming qualities, such as engaging performances or clever narrative twists.
The site also highlights the show’s humor, period setting, and character dynamics as key strengths. At the same time, it does not shy away from noting inconsistencies or deviations from the source material, providing a balanced perspective.
Challenges and Limitations
Despite its strengths, the site also reveals the challenges faced by fans of the series. Limited availability, inconsistent broadcasting, and the absence of official releases have all contributed to the show’s relative obscurity.
The webmaster’s commentary reflects a sense of frustration with these issues, as well as a determination to advocate for better access and recognition.
Audience and Appeal
ElleryQueenShow.com primarily attracts fans of classic mystery television, as well as readers of the original Ellery Queen novels. Its detailed content also makes it a valuable resource for researchers, historians, and anyone interested in the evolution of detective fiction.
The site’s appeal lies in its depth and authenticity. It offers a level of detail and passion that is often absent from more commercial platforms, making it particularly valuable to dedicated enthusiasts.
ElleryQueenShow.com stands as a testament to the power of fan-driven preservation. Through detailed documentation, community engagement, and persistent advocacy, the site has helped keep the legacy of Ellery Queen alive.
In an era before streaming services made archival content widely accessible, this website played a crucial role in ensuring that the series was not forgotten. Its continued relevance highlights the importance of independent efforts in preserving cultural history and celebrating the enduring appeal of thoughtful, intellectually engaging storytelling.
