Episode 20, "The Adventure of Caesar's Last Sleep," has the distinction of being the only entry in which Inspector Richard Queen (David Wayne) solves the mystery, and it's quite a serious problem. Special Prosecutor Erwin Murphy (Stuart Whitman) promises to clean up crime and corruption in New York City, planning to begin with star witness Ralph Caesar (Jan Murray), who is prepared to testify before a grand jury against mob boss Benny Franks (Michael V.Gazzo). Caesar's wife, Ruth (Elizabeth Lane), is spending time next door with neighbor Edie Allen (Bibi Besch), when a hired killer named Jay Bonner (Timothy Agoglia Carey) throws a bomb through Ralph's living room window, and later news reports confirm his death. At this point, Deputy Commissioner Hayes (Arch Johnson) sends for Inspector Queen, assigning him the task of safeguarding the still-living Ralph Caesar, who escaped death through sheer luck. The Inspector picks two men to aid him in saving Caesar until morning, the always reliable Sgt. Velie (Tom Reese), and Jim Millay (Kevin Tighe, from EMERGENCY!), a young detective who quotes regulations and goes by the book. When Queen knocks on Caesar's door at sunup, they all learn that he was murdered during the night, in a locked room, with two guards posted and no entry through the window. Determined not to let the bad publicity hurt his chances for higher office, an irate Murphy coerces his reluctant assistant, Lee Marx (Edward Laurence Albert, son of Eddie Albert), to dig up any dirt on the Inspector's two guards, threatening a negative press release before Hayes clamps down hard in defense of Inspector Queen's men. An anonymous tip leads the police into a fatal shootout with Jay Bonner, swearing with his dying breath that he never laid a hand on Caesar, closely guarded yet still dead from poison, both odorless and colorless. Since it was his shot that took down Bonner, Velie turns in his badge, leading the determined Inspector to restore his department's good standing by solving the case himself, after viewing some confidential footage of the late Ralph Caesar making a payoff. Both Lee Marx and Benny Franks are present to burst Erwin Murphy's pomposity, and a proud Ellery (Jim Hutton) congratulates his father on a job well done. Nina Roman makes a return appearance (unbilled) as Grace, Inspector Queen's secretary, confirming a collect phone call made by the late Mr. Caesar. Another candidate for favorite episode; they just don't make them like this anymore. It's a shame the network didn't have the guts to keep such a quality show on the air; at least KOLCHAK:THE NIGHT STALKER ended because Darren McGavin wanted it to, what with low ratings and expensive night shooting. Both can now be enjoyed by those who enjoy the best of TV history.
3 Reviews
Strongest Plot of This Series
DKosty12312 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This episode seems to hit on all cylinders. Jan Murray is a prime crime boss star witness who DA Stuart Whitman wants protected to get to trial in his crack down on organized crime.
Inspector Richard Queen is drafted by his boss & at Whitman's insistence to protect the witness. Queen gets Sgt Velie & another trusted associate to assist locking Murray in a hotel suite for the night. Even though he is guarded all night, Murray is dead in his bed in the morning. Sgt Velie is implicated.
The viewer trying to figure out this puzzler along with the Queens is very effective. In a nice touch, Richard Queen solves this one himself. That is a nice change of pace as for once Ellery gets relief from the heavy lifting. Patrick Waynes best episode here and there is some good humor thrown in at the end.
Inspector Richard Queen is drafted by his boss & at Whitman's insistence to protect the witness. Queen gets Sgt Velie & another trusted associate to assist locking Murray in a hotel suite for the night. Even though he is guarded all night, Murray is dead in his bed in the morning. Sgt Velie is implicated.
The viewer trying to figure out this puzzler along with the Queens is very effective. In a nice touch, Richard Queen solves this one himself. That is a nice change of pace as for once Ellery gets relief from the heavy lifting. Patrick Waynes best episode here and there is some good humor thrown in at the end.
The Inspector Nails It This Time
chashans30 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A tour de force for actor David Wayne as Inspector Richard Queen. The Inspector is assigned the mighty task of protecting a mob witness. The witness is going to testify against a Big Boss Mobster and the guys life has already been endangered. Somebody threw a bomb through the window of his house, nearly killing him.
The Inspector and two of the best darn cops on the New York City beat hole-up in a decent hotel room. The mob informant enters the bedroom to sleep for the night. The next morning the guy is dead from poison.
The episode's writer allows the viewing audience to think they've got the whole thing solved. The writer provides a clue that isn't too obvious, but is memorable enough that it comes back to the viewers' thoughts. But could the mystery be resolved that easily? Heck no!
Ellery is there to offer his detecting services. However, his Inspector Father is so angered that this murder took place right under his own nose, that he's determined to nail the murderer all on his own.
The guest cast does a good job, but strangely, there are no real "stand-out" names or faces included here to enable the viewer to think, "Oh, it's got to be him/her!" Actor Kevin Tighe as Good Cop #2 is possibly the most well known.
It really is terrific to see the Inspector really going after his investigation at full throttle. He's upset with himself for the murder, but isn't about to take any gruff from anybody. Not even the nasty District Attorney who wanted Queen on the case to begin with and who now wants the Inspector's head on a platter.
The moment of revelation is wonderful. The answer seems to dawn on Ellery exactly one fraction of a moment before it dawns on his father. The expression David Wayne supplies for his character's face upon the realization, is awesome!
Yet one more incredible episode of EQ!
The Inspector and two of the best darn cops on the New York City beat hole-up in a decent hotel room. The mob informant enters the bedroom to sleep for the night. The next morning the guy is dead from poison.
The episode's writer allows the viewing audience to think they've got the whole thing solved. The writer provides a clue that isn't too obvious, but is memorable enough that it comes back to the viewers' thoughts. But could the mystery be resolved that easily? Heck no!
Ellery is there to offer his detecting services. However, his Inspector Father is so angered that this murder took place right under his own nose, that he's determined to nail the murderer all on his own.
The guest cast does a good job, but strangely, there are no real "stand-out" names or faces included here to enable the viewer to think, "Oh, it's got to be him/her!" Actor Kevin Tighe as Good Cop #2 is possibly the most well known.
It really is terrific to see the Inspector really going after his investigation at full throttle. He's upset with himself for the murder, but isn't about to take any gruff from anybody. Not even the nasty District Attorney who wanted Queen on the case to begin with and who now wants the Inspector's head on a platter.
The moment of revelation is wonderful. The answer seems to dawn on Ellery exactly one fraction of a moment before it dawns on his father. The expression David Wayne supplies for his character's face upon the realization, is awesome!
Yet one more incredible episode of EQ!
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