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Ellery Queen, written and produced by the same people who brought us "Murder, She Wrote" nine years later, was ahead of its time with its 1940s atmosphere and mystery plots, older casting and older guest stars.

By the time the mid-'80s came around, the demographics had changed enough to make "Murder, She Wrote" a breakout hit -- but in the '70s, that audience wasn't there yet. It's a shame because Ellery Queen was a superior show in every way to the Angela Lansbury series.

Hutton and Wayne were perfect as Ellery and the Inspector. John Hillerman, in the beginning episodes, was a radio detective and was preferable to the later budinsky, a newspaper man played by Ken Swofford. The pilot for this series, guest-starring Ray Milland, was one of the best ever made, complete with a radio show that had makeshift sound effects.

Guest stars in the series included Tab Hunter, Signe Hasso, Howard Duff, Ida Lupino, Susan Sarandon, Anne Francis, Donald O'Connor, many others. A pity it wasn't a hit - though, done any later, Hutton would not have been alive to play Queen, a role that fit him like a glove.

My wife and I really looked forward to watching this show every week during its all too short run. Jim Hutton was excellent as the boyish but shrewd Ellery, David Wayne was outstanding as his father, Inspector Queen and Tom Reese was terrific as the lumbering Sergeant Velie. John Hillerman, later Magnum's sidekick, was super as the arrogant Simon Brimmer, Ellery's rival, and Ken Swofford was good as the down to earth reporter, Frank Flanagan. The mysteries were enacted and the clues spread around so you could play at home. I don't think we got more than a couple right. Some of the shows were adapted from the Ellery Queen books and some were originals, but all were very fine quality. Very good guest stars were featured every week, some were up and coming, but many were old veterans. I would love to get this on DVD.

I remember watching Ellery Queen back in 1975 which introduced a brand new whodunit mystery murder each week. Then in the last ten (10) minutes of the show, mystery writer Ellery Queen (Jim Hutton) would always look directly in to the camera lens at his viewing audience, and as if we were all participating in a stage play Ellery Queen would provide a recap of all the clues and prospective suspects who may be guilty of the murder(s) and Ellery would invite us the TV audience to try and solve the murder(s) along with him.

Much like the very popular decades old board game "Clue" there are usually five (5) or six (6) murder suspects introduced in each weekly episode and as the clues are gradually provided to the audience we are challenged along side Ellery Queen to figure out who murdered the victim who gets knocked off within the first five minutes of the weekly episode and with which weapon did the murderer use? There are numerous cameo appearances by stars such as Don Ameche, Joan Collins, Ray Milland, Jim Backus, Lynda Day George, Eva Gabor, Rhonda Fleming, and Betty White to name but a few of the cameo appearances.

Not only was the concept of watching a murder unfold before our very eyes interesting but so were the changing cast of characters each week and Ellery's interaction with his TV audience. Mrs. Shullivan and I were engaged in the program and enjoyed playing along side in determining how the mystery writer Ellery Queen and his detective father Inspector Richard Queen (David Wayne) would gather clues and they would interview the ensemble of movie stars who provided cameo appearances to a successful conclusion within the hour. Ellery himself plays a successful mystery writer, who although in his late 30's still lives with his father the Inspector Richard Queen. Ellery appears to be a bumbling and forgetful individual on the surface who always seems to have his nose buried in a book, but his unique ability to assist his father in solving murders and the warm on screen relationship he has with his father shows through seamlessly on this small screen TV series.

I was fortunate to recently purchase the 1975 Ellery Queen TV series on DVD format at a very reasonable price and so Mrs. Shullivan and I are in the process of watching this excellent TV mystery series commercial free. We have been reminiscing about the series regulars such as gumshoe detective sidekick Sergeant Thomas Velie (played by Tom Reese) and radio host Simon Brimmer (John Hillerman) who are also trying to match wits with Ellery Queen and his father Inspector Richard Queen in finding the killer(s).

In case you have not seen this wonderful mystery series it was the pre-cursor to the more successful 1984 Murder She Wrote TV series. I am not sure why the series was cancelled after the first season other than during the 1970's TV audiences may have found some other action/drama series that were more violent, sex infused and drug infested more appealing.

As for Mrs. Shullivan and I this 1975 weekly mystery series that was set after World War 2 in the 1940's with vintage cars and like scenery provided us with 22 episodes of high caliber entertainment and intrigue that challenges your recollection for what appear to be minor incidents but in fact if you pay close attention these details will provide all the clues necessary to help solve the weekly murder(s).

It is too bad we only have one (1) season of 22 episodes of Ellery Queen available and even more unfortunate that the series star Jim Hutton sadly passed away from liver cancer at the young age of only 45. Maybe Jim Hutton's own son 1981 Academy Award winner, Timothy Hutton who is now aged 56 will consider resurrecting this terrific mystery series in a remake. Wouldn't that be great?

I give this excellent but short-lived mystery series a 9 out of 10 rating.

I love murder mysteries, they are often so gripping, compelling and fun, everything Ellery Queen is. If anything, as I have said already in the review title, this show should have lasted longer, I saw no real reason why it ended the way it did. The stories are entertaining and keep me interested and sometimes surprised at the outcome, and the dialogue has plenty of intelligence and wit. The series is also well-photographed with nice use of locations and the music was a great touch. Jim Hutton was a very ideal choice for the absent-minded and clever Ellery Queen, and David Wayne(who I was introduced to after seeing the underrated musical biopic Tonight We Sing) is note-perfect as the Inspector. There have also been some very effective guest stars, too many to list really right now, as well. Overall, this was a really entertaining show, that ended too soon. 10/10 Bethany Cox

One of my favorite TV series of all time was this show, a must-watch leading into the NBC Sunday Mystery Movie. Done by the same creative team that had given us "Columbo," "Ellery Queen" did that show one better by giving us a mystery to solve each week while using the same patterns of intricate clues that had made "Columbo" such a hit. I think NBC had high hopes for this show: it looks like they spent big money on it, meticulously re-creating New York City in the 1940s on Hollywood sets, getting the big-name guest stars, hiring a top-notch writing staff, and possibly giving the directors extra time to film and get things right. Maybe the show was too high-class for television, especially 1970s television, when Norman Lear's in-your-face, ultra-modern sitcoms ruled and Garry Marshall's escapist sitcoms were about to head for the top, while the dramas were epitomized by The Six Million Dollar Man (which was Ellery's competition during much of the year). TV networks always try to stay with the trends, although it seems like they always catch the trends at the tail end. Ellery was also Family Viewing Time material, after a programming edict by the networks which never caught on. But it even compares well with the immortal Murder, She Wrote, which came along a few years later (in the same time period) and became a 12-year hit. Catch the predecessor series if you can to see how the production team did it at their best.

"Ellery Queen Mysteries" was a Detective television series that had a genuine sense of mystery about it, as the identity of the murderer wasn't revealed until the end. This worked to the shows favour. Wisely, the setting was that of the 1940s as that was when the Ellery Queen character first surfaced. Jim Hutton as the title character and his father played by David Wayne, would investigate various crimes of homicide. A group of suspects and red herrings would be assembled by the end of the episode, so that Queen could give his deliberations. The series only lasted one season which I think is a bit of a shame. There were 22 episodes altogether and whilst they are very good, I feel that more could have been made. Once again, "Universal" was the studio behind this show.

This is available on DVD, from NBC Universal/Entertainment1.

Netflix has the entire series. I just received disc 1 today. The recording quality is good, and each disc contains three or four episodes.

"In a few minutes, this woman will be dead. The question is, who killed her? Was it the philandering . . . ." That is how each episode begins. As a kid, I loved this show and couldn't wait to hear that line each week. I remember thinking that the show was smart and sophisticated. Watching it now, 35 years later, it is still quality viewing.

I would give it a 10 if it weren't for the anachronistic clothes, hairstyles, etc. It is supposed to be 1946, but it looks more like 1976.

I loved this TV show and its very sad to have lost a great actor such as Jim Hutton. This show would have ran into 5 to 6 seasons if he had lived. I feel EQ was a great program and its too bad it ended. I thank God we had a chance for the 23 episodes that were made. A+ job J. Hutton.

Its 2020, I'm watching Brit mystery stuff and YT has this entire series for me to compare/rememember. The short hand, type casting of 70s u.s. tv is embarrassing. Creaky plot pacing, lame, humorous character quirks, but telegraphing character by casting sells everyone short. Actors and audience... I can enjoy this but only while reading or playing on my tablet....Have you got the same opinion I do?

"Ellery Queen" was one of the most entertaining TV series ever aired. Part of the fun was that it took place in the Big Apple in 1947 and with one exception looked it to a "T." But the most fun was the moment near the end of the show when Ellery would get the all-important missing clue necessary to nab the killer is nothing short of classic TV.

Ellery would tell whoever else he was with that he'd be right with them, then stop, turn and face the camera. "Now that was an important clue! Did you get it? Now I know who killed the victim. Do you? Was it so-and-so, or so-and-so/ Or could it have been so-and-so? Let find out." So marvelously entertaining! And totally unique to television, regardless of era.

It's cast, stories, plots and guest stars made for a guaranteed good time at least one hour a week without fail.

Jim Hutton (Timothy's dad) was ideal as the absent-minded genius mystery novelist. Veteran David Wayne was letter perfect as Ellery's father, NYPD Homicide Inspector Richard Queen. The two made quite a team, playing off each other brilliantly. There was definite screen chemistry at work and, one get's the impression the actors shared a genuine friendship and respect for the other.

The only thing that didn't fit was star Jim Hutton's insistence on wearing clothes and hair far more in line with the years the show aired (1974-75)than post WWII. Cordoroy flair pants simply were not anywhere close to being in fashion back then, but they sure were in 1975.

If they'd only bring back shows that had that kind of pure fun! And what fun!

I remember watching these shows as a young teenager. As a kid I read all the Poirot stories from Agatha Christie so I liked mysteries and these shows gave one an opportunity to figure things out and use your brain.

But the thing I was surprised at were the guest stars each week. As a kid I had no idea who Eddie Bracken or Ann Reinking were but after watching every episode on dvd I amazed that every episode has big name guests.

If you're a fan of dark mysteries this may be too mild for you. But in the end it's a good clean fun for the entire family.

/refers to all episodes/

Post-WWII New York... Novels and radio shows in full force, TV making its first steps, police has cameras and tardy labs to use only... Such is the world where the Queens have to act and solve complex cases. Mindtwisting all over, multiple people with motives, guided by ancient vices (greed, envy, resentment, etc.). Somewhat static characters and trivial reactions by wrongdoers when revealed, but good acting (incl. lots of them becoming famous decades later), realistic environment and witty humor.

I would have avoided the brief overview together with some suspects in the beginning of each episode - for the sake of guessing who is going to be killed.

I have watched this so many times the sound the movement his forgetfulness is just fun an entertaining love it glad I own it

I just watched this show for the very time today on cable's TV Land (Sunday box set special), and I, too, agree with everyone else about how excellent a show this was. I happened to catch the episode with Eve Arden as a radio soap opera actress murdered, and through it's good writing as well as acting, I was immediately sucked in. Other guest cast members were Betty White and John Hillerman.

I look forward to seeing this show again and hope that someone out there gets the smarts to make this available on home video.

I wonder that no reboot has never been realized or planned. It's a series able to intrigue the viewer above all when the main character asks for the solution of the enigma analyzing the several clues.

Ellery Queen was a clever and mostly well written mystery show. It was greatly helped by its casting of Jim Hutton and David Wayne as Ellery and his father Inspector Queen. Hutton and Wayne had great chemistry. It is sad this show lasted one season.

The older I got, the more I appreciate the show. I first discovered it in my twenties on a&e's mystery theater, and I've loved it ever since. It is truly one of the best shows of its type, and I hate that it only ran for one season.

The chemistry between the various players is amazing and the scripts are always challenging, funny, and thought-provoking. It was a show way ahead of its time in many ways, and it respected the viewer. Unlike a lot of shows that spoon feed you the clues, The writers assumed that the audience was intelligent. I think in many ways this is what separated Ellery Queen the TV show for most other TV shows of its type. If you get a chance to watch it please do it's an amazing show.

I remember this from ages ago, having watched it in the 80s. Anyway, I liked how Ellery Queen spoke to us, the audience, at the end. I could never solve the mystery, but then again I guess I'm not Ellery Queen.

This deserves a reboot. I suggest bringing in acclaimed British actor Danny Dyer to play Ellery.

Also guest directors such as James Wan and Eli Roth could come on board.

Whoever chose the cast for this series knew what they were doing! No one could have filled Ellery Queens shoes better than Jim Hutton. He WAS Ellery.....Jim was taken from us much to soon. He was a great actor. David Wayne as Ellery's father was again a great choice. David & Jim made it seem real. Like they were really father & son. I heard rumor that Timothy Hutton (obviously Jim's son) would do a remake of Ellery Queen. Who better to fill his fathers shoes???? It's sad that Jim could not be here to be cast as the father! What a show that would be!