Melissa

"Melissa" has the feel of a stylish whodunit at a Shaftbury Avenue theatre -- with a dash of Cornell Woolrich thrown in. Made in a bygone TV era (1974,) the tantalizing mystery unfolds in three acts, largely set in the trendy flats of its principals with only an occasional saunter (to discover a corpse or a clue) into the countryside. At its center is Peter Barkworth as an ex-Fleet Street journalist, currently at liberty, working on a novel. When he gets a phone call from his pretty young wife, Melissa, pleading with him to take a break and join her at a party on Wimbledon Common, he reluctantly accepts. But the only thing on Wimbledon Common that night is her dead body. Barkworth soon discovers that the address she gave him for the "party" doesn't exist, that a neurologist he never met claims to have been treating him for emotional stress and that his late wife's purse has a nasty habit of vanishing and reappearing at awkward times. The result is a clever, thoroughly entertaining mystery, enlivened by strong scripting, surprising twists and solid support from such first-rate British players as Joan Benham, Ronald Fraser and Phillip Voss.

Set over three parts, this is a treasure of a drama produced by the BBC back in 1974. From start to finish I will start by saying Peter Barkeworth is utterly outstanding as Guy Foster. A brief outline of the plot, Guy is unable to attend a party with his wife, Melissa, and her friends Paula and Felix Hepburn. Melissa, played by Moira Redmond, appears fairly briefly, as she is found murdered wearing Paula's coat. A wonderful web of mystery and intrigue is spun, as Guy together with the help of Chief Inspector Carter, beautifully portrayed by Philip Voss set out to unravel the mystery, but is guy tied up in his wife's murder. Secrets and red herrings are discovered. Where did Melissa get her money, and what was her relationship with dashing racing driver Don Page? I have loved this murder mystery since I first saw it, and would beg you to watch it if you enjoy a mystery. It does have a slight feeling of a stage play the way it's played out. Joan Benham who plays Paul Hepburn is utterly brilliant, such a socialite, she wears some wonderful outfits, so indicative of the 70's. Ronald Fraser, an actor I absolutely love is wonderful as bungling antique dealer Felix, he and Joan are a wonderful couple. Marcia Ashton's interpretation of Carol Stewart is a little bit over the top and worthy of the stage, but really good fun, and engaging. Melissa is desperately in need of a major remake, along with many other Frances Durbridge dramas. The Channel 4 remake from 1997 was a shambles in comparison, the original story could be wonderfully re-interpreted for today's mass audience.