Finally... The Ellery Queen Mysteries are on DVD!

I always knew I was different from the other kids my age. I watched old movies that most of them never knew existed. I also enjoyed TV shows that my classmates did not watch. One of my favorites was Ellery Queen starring Jim Hutton as the title character and David Wayne as his father. The series only ran for one season from 1975-1976 on NBC. Despite only being 9 or 10 years old, I loved this show. I was already reading Agatha Christie, so this show really captured my attention. So I am very happy that this show has been released on DVD today!

Why do I still have such fond memories of this show? I got the opportunity to watch it in reruns as an adult and discovered I still liked it! Back in the 1990's, A&E used to broadcast the show along with O'Hara, US Treasury, Delvecchio, and two other shows in a mystery wheel format -- each afternoon was a different show. I was pleasantly surprised that the show still held up. Sometimes, shows we enjoyed in our youth, don't stand the test of time. But, for me, Ellery Queen was still a fun mystery show.

What made the show special for me? First, Jim Hutton was so endearing as the lead character. His portrayal of Ellery Queen was fantastic. Hutton was able to convey that Queen was an absent minded mystery writer who you should never underestimate. Despite the fact that Queen could forget to do simple daily chores, he had a brillant mind that could work out any mystery that came his way. Like Columbo, the criminals often realized too late how smart this guy was. Second, David Wayne was perfect as Inspector Richard Queen. This is a man who investigates homicides in New York City and is constantly under pressure from his bosses to solve high profile murder cases. Inspector Queen is streetwise, but willing to let his genius son help out if it means closing the case. The chemistry between Hutton and Wayne made the father-son relationship believable. After all, here is this Inspector for the NYPD who has to put his pride aside and accept his son's assistance despite all his years of experience on the police force.

Last but not least, I enjoyed the guest stars and recurring characters. Ken Swofford played a reporter named Frank Flannigan who was a foil for the Queens. Usually, Flannigan irritated Inspector Queen by butting into the case he was trying to solve. John Hillerman portrayed Simon Brimmer, an egotistical star who played a detective on the radio. Brimmer was Ellery's foil as Brimmer believed he was Ellery's equal if not superior intellectually. Hillerman was perfect as pompous star who could not match Ellery's intellect. In addition, where else could you see the likes of Ida Lupino, Ray Milland, George Burns, Eve Arden, Betty White, June Lockhart, Joan Collins, Dana Andrews, Rhonda Fleming, Vincent Price as guest stars?

If you loved this show like I did, then hopefully you get your copy soon. I plan on buying mine this week so I can have an Ellery Queen marathon one weekend. If you haven't seen the show, give it a chance. It's set in the late 1940's, so the time period is also part of the show's charm. Plus, just before the solution is revealed, Jim Hutton breaks the fourth wall. As Ellery, he asks the audience if they have been paying attention and recaps some key clues. The viewers were basically being challenged to solve the crime just like Ellery Queen did. They just don't make shows like that anymore!