"Who Threw the Barbitals in Mrs. Fletcher's Chowder?" is the twelfth episode of the fourth season of Murder, She Wrote and its 78th episode overall. It aired on January 3, 1988.
Summary[]
Everyone in Cabot Cove is surprised when Sheriff Amos Tupper introduces his sister Winnie Banner to everyone. She's left her boisterous and somewhat gruff husband Elmo Banner and has no intention of returning to him. Soon the entire Banner clan seems to descend on Cabot Cove. Elmo, his brother and sister - and their spouses - all seem to have an opinion on who should do what. At a dinner in her home, Jessica serves her famous chowder, but midway through the meal everyone falls asleep. Everyone that is except Elmo, who is dead. It's apparent that the chowder was drugged and it's clearly a case of murder. Meanwhile, Amos hires a new Deputy, the over-eager Marigold Feeney.
Starring[]
Regular cast[]
Recurring cast[]
Guest stars[]
- Colleen Camp as Marigold Feeney
- Anne Meara as Winnie Tupper Banner
- Donnelly Rhodes as Ed Bellamy
- Guy Stockwell as Elmo Banner
- Barbara Rhoades as Flo Oakes
- Henry Gibson as Harold Banner
- Dennis Bailey as Deputy Grover
- Joseph V. Perry as Ralph
- Geoffrey Lewis as Kenny Oakes
Trivia[]
- The title is an allusion to the Irish folk song "Who Threw the Overalls in Mrs. Murphy's Chowder?" written in 1898 by George L. Giefer.
- This is the only appearance of Winnie.
- Guest stars Anne Meara & Henry Gibson play rare dramatic roles here; both are better known for comedic works, the former as a team with her husband Jerry Stiller as well as recurring roles on ALF (1987) & The King of Queens (1998), the latter as a cast member on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
Goofs[]
Doc Hazlett arrives at the dinner party and knows all of the Sheriff's relatives, but he had never met them.
Gallery[]
Home media releases[]
Item | Region | Release date |
---|---|---|
Murder, She Wrote: The Complete Fourth Season | Region 1 | October 17, 2006 |
Murder, She Wrote: Season 4 | Region 2 | March 26, 2007 |
Murder, She Wrote: The Complete 4th Season | Region 4 | September 5, 2007 |
Murder, She Wrote: Seasons 1 - 5 | Region 2 | October 22, 2007 |
External links[]
- "Who Threw the Barbitals in Mrs. Fletcher's Chowder?" at the Internet Movie Database