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Exploring the Charm of "Mr. and Mrs. North": A Look Back at "Weekend Murder"

"Mr. and Mrs. North" was a delightful television series that aired in the early 1950s, bringing to the screen the adventures of a married couple who find themselves embroiled in solving various crimes. The show starred Richard Denning and Barbara Britton as the eponymous characters, Jerry and Pamela North. One of the episodes that stood out from its first season was "Weekend Murder," which originally aired on October 3, 1952.

The episode "Weekend Murder" is a classic example of the series' blend of mystery and comedy. The Norths are invited to spend a weekend at the country home of a famous actress, only to find themselves in the middle of a perplexing situation. Upon their arrival, they discover the housekeeper missing and a dead man in the pantry. The plot thickens as everyone in the house seems to have a reason to protect the actress from her blackmailing ex-husband.

What made "Mr. and Mrs. North" particularly engaging was the chemistry between the leads. Denning and Britton brought charm and wit to their roles, making the audience root for them as they outsmarted the criminals and often solved the cases before the police. The show's writing was sharp, and the mysteries were intriguing enough to keep viewers guessing until the end.

The episode "Weekend Murder" and the series as a whole are reflective of the era's television landscape, where shows were often shot in black and white and had a runtime of around 25 minutes. Despite the limitations of the time, "Mr. and Mrs. North" managed to captivate audiences with its sophisticated humor and engaging storytelling.

For those interested in revisiting this classic series, "Weekend Murder" is available to watch online, allowing a new generation to experience the charm of Jerry and Pamela North's crime-solving escapades. It's a wonderful opportunity to step back in time and enjoy a piece of television history that still resonates with fans today. Whether you're a mystery aficionado or just looking for a nostalgic trip, "Mr. and Mrs. North" is a series that offers something for everyone.

Category

😹
Fun
Transcript
00:00Mr. and Mrs. North, starring Barbara Britton and Richard Denning.
00:24A wonderful, we'll be all packed and waiting.
00:50Goodbye dear.
00:51Pam, where are we going at three o'clock this afternoon?
00:53And who is picking who up in whose car?
00:56Oh, I thought you knew.
00:58Lily Storm, the actress you know.
01:00She's such a wonderful person.
01:01She invited us to the country for the weekend.
01:03Oh, no.
01:04She's picking us up right after her broadcast.
01:06Pam, how can you do this to me?
01:07The whole weekend, gone before it started.
01:10But darling, I accept it because of you.
01:13The country air will do you good.
01:14But I like city air.
01:15I like gasoline smells and smoke and dust and hot pavements.
01:19Very well.
01:21I'll call Lily and tell her we can't come.
01:24After all, a wife's place is with her husband.
01:27Even though it isn't a hot, sultry apartment and the heat makes her ill.
01:34You win.
01:35Maybe they have an old barn where I can crawl in the hay and sleep all day Sunday.
01:38They do have an old barn.
01:39Here's a picture of the house.
01:40Isn't it adorable?
01:41It's so rustic and primitive.
01:43That's what I'm afraid of.
01:44And Lily on the front veranda.
01:46She certainly looks her age in that picture.
01:48That isn't Lily.
01:49That's her housekeeper, Mrs. Sherwood.
01:51She's a wonderful cook.
01:52She's practically famous for her pies.
02:04Come in, Joe.
02:06Door's unlocked.
02:10Put the groceries on the floor.
02:12I'll be.
02:14Oh.
02:16I thought you were the grocery boy.
02:18Is Lily here yet?
02:19If you mean Miss Storm, no.
02:21Who are you?
02:22That's all right.
02:23Don't get excited now.
02:24What do you want?
02:25Well, could use a little scotch, would you?
02:28Keep the liquor around here.
02:31We're soon but a stop to this.
02:33Oh, no.
02:34I wouldn't do that if I were you.
02:36Who are you?
02:38You've no right to be here.
02:39I've got every right in the world to be here.
02:42You see, Miss Storm is my wife.
02:45Your wife?
02:47I've been with Miss Storm for years.
02:49That's ridiculous.
02:50I knew both her husbands.
02:52Yeah, well, I'm the one she didn't get rid of.
02:54You ever hear her talk of Blair Mountain?
02:56Never.
02:57And I don't believe you.
03:05Ah, don't try that trick again.
03:08Now, Lily's on her way down here with her new boyfriend, Ashley Lockwood.
03:11When they get here, there's gonna be a showdown.
03:14Now, if Lily comes back to me, we might keep you on as cook.
03:17Now, come on, tell me, where do you keep the liquor?
03:20I'll get it for you.
03:21Oh, wait a minute.
03:23There must be another phone out there, and I'm sure there's a front door.
03:27No, I'll get the liquor.
03:28You just tell me where it is.
03:30Right door to your right, beyond the stairway.
03:34And no tricks.
03:36And stay away from that phone.
03:37I got big ears.
03:56135W.
03:57Hurry, please.
04:00Mr. Lockwood, please.
04:03Oh, this is Mr. Ashley Lockwood's residence, isn't it?
04:07He isn't there.
04:10When will he be back?
04:13Oh, could you take a message?
04:14It's urgent.
04:17Miss Dormer's in terrible trouble.
04:20Please tell Mr. Lockwood.
04:24Ah!
04:26Oh, just smell that air, don't you?
04:29Oh, I feel like Tess of the Dermaville.
04:31The country always makes me feel so good, good, good.
04:36Ah!
04:38Breathe, dear.
04:39I'm trying to.
04:41Let us sling wide the portals.
04:45Oh, dear.
04:46The door is locked.
04:47Well, maybe we should start back for town.
04:50Hannah, didn't Mrs. Sherwood expect us?
04:52I talked to Mrs. Sherwood this morning.
04:54She said everything was in order.
04:55And I'm sure it is.
04:57Jerry, you'll fall down.
04:58What?
04:59You'll fall down if you go to sleep standing up.
05:01I'm sorry.
05:02It's the country air.
05:03I have a key somewhere here in my purse.
05:05Oh, what a nice, efficient secretary.
05:07However, did I get along without you?
05:10Here.
05:11That does it.
05:12Home sweet home.
05:14On through, see you play.
05:16Oh, Jerry, I'll show you where to put the luggage.
05:20Oh, Miss Wilk, what a shame.
05:21You must have dropped it in the car.
05:23Dropped what?
05:24An earring.
05:25Your minus an earring, the left one.
05:27Oh, I'm afraid it's just an affectation.
05:30I frequently wear just one earring.
05:38Oh, I don't understand it at all.
05:40The chickens are cleaned and in the refrigerator.
05:42Everything is in perfect order.
05:43But where is she?
05:45She cut herself a piece of pie.
05:47What?
05:48One of them's been cut in two.
05:49Oh, but that's extraordinary.
05:51She never eats pies.
05:52She's one of those little women who loves to cook
05:54and eats like a bird.
05:56She must have been gone for some time.
05:58This butter's all melted.
05:59Oh, now I'm getting really worried.
06:01I'll phone Ashley.
06:02He lives only 10 minutes from here.
06:05135W, please.
06:07Well, what are you looking so smug and happy about?
06:10Dug up a little trouble?
06:11Butter's melted.
06:12What?
06:13Piece of pie is missing.
06:15Pam, you're not making sense.
06:16Beginning to add up.
06:18There's been foul play.
06:19Oh, no, not this weekend.
06:24There's no answer.
06:25Now what's become of Ashley?
06:27You see?
06:28First Mrs. Sherwood disappears, and now Ashley.
06:31Who's next?
06:33Where's Hannah?
06:34Present.
06:35What's wrong?
06:36Nothing.
06:37Here's what adds up, Mrs. Holmes.
06:38Your kind old housekeeper's gone off on a bit of a bender.
06:41And with a very good start, I might add.
06:43Oh, but she doesn't drink.
06:45Weekends in the country do strange things to people.
06:50That must be Ashley.
06:52I'll go, Hannah.
06:53You haven't met Ashley yet, have you?
06:55He's the most wonderful writer.
06:56Tonight he'll read us his new play.
07:03Ashley.
07:04Lily.
07:05You all right?
07:06Why, of course I'm all right, now that you're here.
07:08I've been going crazy trying to find you.
07:10No answer here, no answer at your apartment.
07:12You're sure nothing's happened?
07:13Nothing but a missing housekeeper.
07:15Oh, I want you to meet Mrs. North.
07:17This is a very dear friend of mine, Ashley Lockwood.
07:19How do you do?
07:20Delighted, Mrs. North.
07:21You mean there's still no sign of Mrs. Sherwood?
07:23Still?
07:24Did you know she was missing, Mr. Lockwood?
07:26Why, no. How could I?
07:27Except I've been phoning here all day and there's been no answer.
07:29Well, come along.
07:30Let's forget Mrs. Sherwood.
07:32This is a summer weekend.
07:33Holiday time.
07:34Let us be gay.
07:35Let us be gay.
07:38Gary?
07:39This is my fiancee, Ashley Lockwood.
07:41Ashley, Mrs. North.
07:42How do you do?
07:43I'll fix dinner in the store and be ready right away.
07:46Oh, well, I'm actually glad Mrs. Sherwood has disappeared.
07:49This is going to be fun.
07:50Fun, fun.
07:51I think we should call Lieutenant Wigand.
07:53Oh, Pam, don't be such a ghoul.
07:56Lieutenant Wigand?
07:57Who's he?
07:58A homicide lieutenant on the New York police force.
08:01Homicide?
08:02He's our closest friend and a very good man to have around when there's been foul play.
08:06Lily, does she mean this?
08:07Of course I mean it.
08:08If there's one thing Bill Wigand can do better than anyone,
08:11it's find a missing person, dead or alive.
08:13Pam, will you get your mind out of Scotland Yard, please?
08:16Well, look here, we don't want any police nosing around here, especially New York police.
08:19What's the matter with New York police?
08:21Miss Storm's a well-known actress, a public figure.
08:23She doesn't want any notoriety.
08:25Darling, when an actress gets her name in print, that's publicity, not notoriety.
08:31Oh, dear, look.
08:32I put the flour in with the sugar.
08:36Oh, how clumsy.
08:38I'll clean it up.
08:39Where's the broom?
08:40Oh, over there in the closet by the door.
08:41All this talk about police makes you jumpy.
08:43I suggest we drop the subject.
08:44Right.
08:45You reflect a public apathy toward crime, Mr. Lockwood.
08:48I'll bet you've never written a good melodrama.
08:50God willing, I never shall.
08:51There's no melodrama in real life.
08:58Oh.
08:59Lily, you didn't...
09:00Oh.
09:01She fainted.
09:02We gotta go.
09:05Get some water, some smelling salts, quickly.
09:09Cherry, is it?
09:10Very much so.
09:11He's been stabbed.
09:13But, Cherry, it's the wrong body.
09:15Mrs. Sherwood is the one we're looking for.
09:17We don't even know this man.
09:19If there's one thing I do know, it's time to call Lieutenant Wigand.
09:27That's all, Riley.
09:28See you back at headquarters.
09:30My car is here in the back.
09:33Oh.
09:34High at midnight.
09:36No wonder you knew your cops get ousers.
09:39Well, that's not the only reason, see.
09:42Well, I guess that ties it up for the night.
09:45You mean we can get some sleep?
09:47If you've got a clear conscience.
09:50I guess that'll hold you for a while.
09:52I've got to wait on the coroner's report.
09:55Then I'm going to have these statements of yours typed up,
09:58and you'll be down to my office tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock and sign them.
10:01Oh, 9 o'clock.
10:04I can't get anything yet from Miss Storm.
10:06Doctor says she's too upset to talk.
10:09Very unusual condition for a woman.
10:13Well, I'm glad you dropped around, Lieutenant.
10:15Any time you get stuck, I'd be glad to run down to New York and reciprocate.
10:20Good night, folks.
10:21Good night.
10:23And, uh, keep your doors and windows locked tonight.
10:28Remember, there's a murder still running around loose.
10:32Good night.
10:33Good night.
10:35How's Lily?
10:36She's napping out of it.
10:37The doctor just left.
10:38He gave her a sedative to take.
10:39Oh, a good night's sleep will fix her up.
10:41Yeah, me too.
10:42Now she says she's hungry.
10:43I'll fix her some toast and tea.
10:45May I be of any assistance?
10:46Oh, forgive me.
10:47You two haven't met.
10:48Miss Wilk, this is Lieutenant Wigand, our closest friend.
10:51How do you do?
10:52Much better now.
10:53Say, where have you been hiding?
10:54Will you fill this for me?
10:55Surely.
10:56Where's Mr. Lockwood?
10:57Oh, he went home about 10 minutes ago.
10:59Well, that's strange.
11:01What is?
11:02That he didn't wait to say good night to Miss Storm.
11:04She's been asking for him.
11:06Hannah, how long has Lily been engaged to Mr. Lockwood,
11:09and just what do you know about him?
11:11They're off and running.
11:15Oh, I thought I'd never get a moment alone with you.
11:18I told the others I was going home.
11:20Lily, I know who the murdered man was.
11:22He wrote me letters, threatening letters about our engagement.
11:25I finally told him if he ever annoyed either one of us again,
11:28I'd kill him with my bare hands.
11:30Oh, no.
11:31Now he's dead.
11:32Lily, you've got to realize what a spot we're in.
11:35I'll do anything, anything.
11:37Then tell me the truth.
11:39Where were you at 1 o'clock today?
11:40I was at the studio, of course.
11:42I had a broadcast at 1 o'clock.
11:44Can you prove that you were at the studio?
11:46Of course I can.
11:47I didn't leave until 3 o'clock.
11:49It's you I was worried about.
11:51I knew Blair was trying to contact you.
11:53He had an old program from some stock company out west.
11:56Your pictures were on the cover.
11:58Oh, I think we should go to the police and report the whole thing.
12:02No, no.
12:03Not until we have to.
12:04As long as you have a solid alibi.
12:06He's dead.
12:07There's no one to connect him with your past life as far as we know.
12:10What about Hannah?
12:11Oh, I trust her with my life.
12:13Mrs. Sherwood.
12:14He must have talked to her today.
12:16She knows.
12:17But she's disappeared.
12:18I've got a hunch she's somewhere around this house.
12:22Okay, give me a dish towel.
12:25That's what I like about you, dear.
12:26Whenever you do anything, you go into it whole hog.
12:28No, I get it.
12:29You mean that cherry pie.
12:32Say, there's another hole in the icebox.
12:35I saw it.
12:36I think it's strawberry.
12:37Hannah says that one's for tomorrow.
12:39Well, we may not be alive tomorrow.
12:45Listen.
12:48Hear that?
12:49No.
12:50Sound like it's coming from the cellar.
12:56Are you crazy?
12:57There's a loose murderer around here.
12:59That may be him.
13:00Come on.
13:01Down in that dark, strange cellar.
13:03Let's call Bill.
13:04Don't be a scaredy cat.
13:07Oh, the light switch doesn't work.
13:09There's a flashlight in the drawer of the bar.
13:11Get it.
13:14Honey.
13:15Oh, honey.
13:16Honey.
13:17Honey.
13:18Honey.
13:19All right.
13:50Honey.
13:51Honey.
13:52Honey.
13:53Honey.
13:54Honey.
13:55Honey.
13:56Honey.
13:57Honey.
13:58Honey.
13:59Honey.
14:00Honey.
14:01Honey.
14:02Honey.
14:03Honey.
14:04Honey.
14:05Honey.
14:06Honey.
14:07Honey.
14:08Honey.
14:09Honey.
14:10Honey.
14:11Honey.
14:12Honey.
14:13Honey.
14:14Honey.
14:15Honey.
14:16Honey.
14:17Honey.
14:19Pam!
14:20Pam, where are you?
14:26Oh, it probably broke my back.
14:28Uh-oh.
14:29Pam!
14:30Oh, where's that flashlight?
14:32Pam!
14:33Pam!
14:34Pam!
14:35Where are you, Pam?
14:37Oh, where's that flashlight?
14:39Oh, here it is.
14:41Pam!
14:42Pam, where are you, Pam?
14:44Pam!
14:45Pam!
14:46Pam!
14:51Are you all right, darling?
14:53Yes, I'm all right.
14:55What happened?
14:56Well, somebody grabbed me in the dark, and then they jumped me, and then they heard you
15:01coming, and they disappeared.
15:04Listen.
15:09Look.
15:13Wait.
15:16That's a woman.
15:18It must be Mrs. Sherwood.
15:22Oh, it's all right, Mrs. Sherwood.
15:25I'm Mrs. North.
15:26Remember?
15:27This is my husband, Mr. North, and he loved your cherry pie.
15:30Oh, thank God.
15:31Thank God.
15:34You were saying you turned around and saw this man.
15:36Had you ever seen him before?
15:38Never laid eyes on him.
15:40I said to him, who are you, and what do you want?
15:43And he said...
15:45Yes?
15:46He said what?
15:47He asked me where the liquor was.
15:49I could tell he'd been drinking.
15:51That isn't what you were about to say.
15:53Now, Mrs. Sherwood, it's very important we find out who this man was and why he came here.
15:57You see, he's been murdered.
16:00I know.
16:02You mean you saw it?
16:03No, I heard it.
16:05When I came to, I found myself in the cellar.
16:09Upstairs, I heard voices.
16:11They were shouting at someone.
16:13Could you recognize the other voice?
16:15No.
16:16But it sounded like a woman.
16:18And then there was a thud.
16:20And then...
16:22Like a body...
16:24Falling down.
16:26Get some brandy.
16:27What are you trying to do, Wigan?
16:28Show what a good cop you are?
16:29This woman's suffering from shock.
16:30Now, now, take it easy.
16:35There she is.
16:36Nothing like a little eye-opener, I always say.
16:39Now, Mrs. Sherwood, could you answer one or two more questions?
16:42I never saw anything so inhuman in my life.
16:45I'll go and bring the doctor here.
16:46No, Ashley.
16:47No.
16:49You say you heard a thud.
16:50Then what?
16:51I must have fainted.
16:53How long I was unconscious, I don't know.
16:56But when I came to, there was someone else walking around in the kitchen.
17:02Well, could you tell if it was a man or a woman?
17:06A man.
17:07Heavy steps.
17:10He was dragging something along the floor like...
17:14Like a body.
17:16The woman's had a terrible experience.
17:18Her imagination's been playing tricks on her.
17:21It wasn't playing tricks when I telephoned your house this noontime.
17:29You didn't talk to me on the telephone this noontime.
17:32No.
17:34But I left an urgent message for you about Miss Storm.
17:39I know you, Ashley.
17:41They might as well know the whole story.
17:44The murdered man was my husband.
17:47His name was Blair Martin.
17:50I thought I had divorced him.
17:52It was a pure case of blackmail.
17:54He claimed that his final divorce decree had never been received.
17:57That Lily's two subsequent marriages were bigamous.
17:59And that he was still her legal husband.
18:01You were engaged to Miss Storm.
18:03Naturally, you figured the quickest way to solve your problem was to get rid of Blair Martin.
18:06No.
18:07I admit I was here before today.
18:09Blair Martin was already dead.
18:11He was lying on the kitchen floor here.
18:13I tried to hide the body.
18:16Why?
18:17Don't you see?
18:18He was trying to protect me.
18:20Why? Did you kill him?
18:21She couldn't have.
18:22She was at the broadcasting station until nearly three o'clock this afternoon.
18:25Her secretary can prove that.
18:29I found this theater program on Martin's body with their pictures as man and wife.
18:34I heard the grocery truck drive up and got panicky.
18:37I opened the closet door and stuffed the body inside.
18:40Then I ran out into the hall.
18:42I think that ties it up all nice and neat.
18:45Smooth work, Lieutenant. Smooth work.
18:47Guess I'll have to start eating pie at night.
18:51Mr. Lockwood, I'm holding you for the murder of Blair Martin.
18:54No!
18:56No, he's only trying to protect me.
18:59I killed him.
19:00What with?
19:01A knife.
19:03Yes.
19:04I killed him with a knife.
19:06Sorry, Miss Storm.
19:08He was stabbed with a nice pick.
19:24Oh, what a weekend.
19:28Would you like a piece of pie?
19:31Huh?
19:32You said a while ago you'd like a piece of pie.
19:34I'll bring it up with a glass of milk.
19:36I always think better when my stomach's full.
19:40Now, Pam, you're not going to snoop around this house after dark.
19:43You remember what happened in the cellar.
19:45Everyone's asleep. I'm just going down to the kitchen.
19:48Yeah, but...
20:01I'll get it.
20:31THE END
21:01THE END
21:32THE END
21:44Is this what you're looking for, Miss Wilk?
21:48I think you must have lost it while you were struggling with Blair Martin.
21:51Then you didn't have much time to search for it, did you,
21:53because you heard Mr. Lockwood come back.
21:55As he came in the back door, you went out the front
21:58and ran to wherever your car was hidden.
22:00You had to get back to Lily before she finished at the broadcasting station.
22:04I noticed what a good driver you were on the way down.
22:07You must have gotten back in nothing flat.
22:11You're very clever, Mrs. North.
22:14And I'd always thought you rather stupid.
22:17Why did you kill him?
22:20I thought you had everything figured out.
22:23Or perhaps you've never heard the one about a woman scorned.
22:26You're in love with him. Is that why?
22:28That's why.
22:30I helped him. I gave him money.
22:32I kept Lily from turning him over to the police,
22:34only to find out he was using me to get back to Lily again.
22:37I came here this morning, knowing what he'd planned to do.
22:41I pleaded with him.
22:42He humiliated me.
22:44He laughed at me.
22:46He laughed at my face.
22:48I'm sorry. Believe me, I'm so sorry for you.
22:51You're sorry for me?
22:53Why didn't you tell everything to Lieutenant Wigan?
22:55I'm sure he can help you.
22:57I don't intend to tell anyone.
22:59And neither do you.
23:00Now get back in that closet like a good little girl.
23:03And don't start screaming until you hear that car start.
23:05You're only making things worse for yourself.
23:07You'll never get away with it.
23:08I can try.
23:09You remarked yourself I was a pretty good driver.
23:12Now get in there before I have to hurt you.
23:14No, I'm not going to let you go.
23:16No, Derry!
23:17Derry!
23:18No, Derry!
23:19Help!
23:20No!
23:24Oh, help!
23:26Help!
23:28Hold it!
23:30Hold it!
23:33She killed him.
23:34She told me so herself.
23:35I found her earring here.
23:38You go upstairs, Pam.
23:39I'll call the police.
23:42Sorry, Miss Wilk.
23:45I really am sorry.
23:50Derry!
23:51Derry, wake up! I solved it!
23:53Just put the pie down there, dear.
23:55It was Hannah Wilk all the time.
23:56A woman scoring.
23:57She did it.
23:59Yes, dear.
24:00If it hadn't been for Bill, I don't know what would have happened to me.
24:03We'll talk all about it in the morning, darling.
24:07Oh, dear, very well.
24:09It seemed so exciting.
24:11I nearly lost my life.
24:13Yes, dear.
24:15She nearly stabbed me with that ice pick.
24:17If I hadn't used my brains, I'd be dead.
24:19You'd have a corpse for a wife.
24:21Yes, dear.
24:23Well, I'm glad she didn't kill me.
24:27We'll talk all about it in the morning.
24:32I'm glad she didn't kill you, too.
24:39Kill you?
24:41Who tried to kill you?
24:43Good night, dear.
24:45Pam!
24:46What were you talking about?
24:47Tell me!
24:49Jerry, I've had a very strenuous evening.
24:51It made me very sleepy.
24:53We'll talk about it in the morning.
24:55Yeah, but Pam!
24:56Pam!
25:20Mr. and Mrs. North is directed by Ralph Francis Murphy.
25:24A John W. Loveden production.
25:27Produced by Federal Telefilm.
25:30Starring Barbara Britton and Richard Denning.
25:32Featuring Francis DeSales.
25:47This has been a film presentation.
25:53This has been a film presentation.
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