Ellery Queen (1975)
A charming 1970s NBC whodunit that dares viewers to outsmart its gentleman detective before the final reveal.
Ellery Queen - Series Information
- Original Title: Ellery Queen
- First Air Year: 1975
- Last Air Year: 1976
- Created by: Richard Levinson, William Link
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Mystery, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 22
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: NBC
- Production Companies: Universal Television, Fairmont/Foxcroft Productions, Tom Ward Enterprises
- Production Countries: United States of America
- Alternative Titles: Ellery Queen, à plume et à sang (FR)
Ellery Queen - Plot
Ellery Queen is an American television detective mystery series based on the fictional character Ellery Queen. It aired on NBC during the 1975-76 television season and stars Jim Hutton as Ellery Queen, David Wayne as his father, Inspector Richard Queen, and Tom Reese as Sgt. Velie. Created by the writing/producing team of Richard Levinson and William Link, the title character "breaks" the fourth wall to ask the audience to consider their solution.
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Ellery Queen - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Richard Levinson
- William Link
Main Cast
- Tom Reese
- Jim Hutton
- David Wayne
- John Hillerman
- Arch Johnson
- Bob Harks
- Cosmo Sardo
- John Lawlor
- Peter Hobbs
- Barbara Rush
Writers
- Richard Levinson
- Peter S. Fischer
- Robert Swanson
- William Link
- Stephen Lord
Ellery Queen - FAQs
What is Ellery Queen about?
Ellery Queen follows a clever amateur detective and mystery writer who teams up with his father, a New York City police inspector, to solve murders in a 1940s post-war setting. The show is notable for its unique fourth-wall-breaking device, where Ellery directly challenges viewers to deduce the killer before the reveal.
Who are the main actors in Ellery Queen?
Jim Hutton stars as the charming detective Ellery Queen, David Wayne plays his father Inspector Richard Queen, and Tom Reese portrays Sgt. Thomas Velie. The supporting cast includes John Hillerman as radio sleuth Simon Brimmer and Barbara Rush as Claire Mallory, among others.
Does Ellery Queen really break the fourth wall?
Yes. One of the series' most celebrated features is its fourth-wall break near the end of each episode, where Jim Hutton's Ellery Queen turns to the camera and invites viewers to identify the murderer before he does. This interactive storytelling device became a beloved hallmark of the show.
Is Ellery Queen based on a true story?
No. Ellery Queen is based on the fictional detective character created by cousins Frederic Dannay and Manfred Bennington Lee, who wrote under the joint pen name Ellery Queen. The character first appeared in novels during the 1920s and became one of the most enduring figures in American detective fiction.
Where can I watch Ellery Queen?
Ellery Queen is available to stream online. You can check JustWatch for the most current and region-specific streaming, rental, and purchase options, as availability may vary depending on your location and the platforms active in your country.
How many episodes does Ellery Queen have?
The series ran for one season on NBC during the 1975-76 television season, comprising 22 regular episodes. There are also 2 special episodes, bringing the total to 24 entries in the series. Each episode runs approximately 60 minutes.
Who created the Ellery Queen TV series?
The 1975 NBC television series was created by the acclaimed writing and producing team of Richard Levinson and William Link, the duo also responsible for Columbo and Murder, She Wrote. They adapted the long-running Ellery Queen literary character for a stylish, period-set television format.
How was Ellery Queen received by critics?
Ellery Queen earned considerable critical praise for its witty writing, period atmosphere, and Jim Hutton's charming lead performance. The show developed a devoted cult following and is frequently cited by mystery enthusiasts as one of the finest detective series of the 1970s, admired for its fair-play puzzle structure.
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