It's episodes like this one that show how "Diagnosis Murder" could be more than a weekly "whodunit." Not only do you have a taut script with tension and surprises, but you have award-worthy performances from two old pros who make it all look easy...Dick Van Dyke and Jack Klugman. Mark Sloan is at his determined best here, especially when given a case that ties to his past. But the real star here is Klugman. Fighting back a raspy voice brought on by cancer, he is genuinely moving as the cop on the way out the door with one last case to close. His actions to get his man are almost as interesting as the hunt for the killer itself.
The theme of the "Clown Killer" is particularly chilling. The first glimpse of the victim in face paint is jarring and it's a haunting image that hangs over the episode.
There's so much in this episode...questions of right vs. wrong; Harry's actions; the Mark/Trumble relationship. And it gives the series one of its coldest villains and most downbeat endings.
Lee Goldberg and William Rabkin's style fit this show like a glove. Dick Van Dyke and company knock this one out of the park, and a classic performance by Jack Klugman make this one of the best the show had to offer.moreless
Episode Summary
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Newly retired detective Harry Trumble returns to the force when it appears 'The Clown Killer', a murderer Trumble chased for more than a decade, has emerged from obscurity to kill again. Mark is reluctant to help Harry investigate the Clown, in part due to a rift between the two, but also because Mark suspects Harry has something to do with the Clown's reappearance.moreless
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GUEST STAR
Jack KlugmanDet. Harry Trumble
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GUEST STAR
Martin KoveCapt. Newman
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GUEST STAR
Jim O'HeirHoward Weber
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Dick Van Dyke
Dr. Mark Sloan
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Victoria Rowell
Dr. Amanda Bentley, Medical Examiner (1993-2001)
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Charlie Schlatter
Dr. Jesse Travis
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Barry Van Dyke
Detective Steve Sloan
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (1)
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Steve: Get me some bacon and eggs will you Jess? Jesse: You can get them yourself! Steve: Yeah, I can gouge your eyes out with my spoon too! Jesse: Hey, well a bright good morning to you too! [Jesse leaves] Steve: [to Mark] This surly-in-the-morning routine works great. You can't believe what I can get people to do for me!
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NOTES (2)
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If you look at the picture on the desk it is Rose Marie of The Dick Van Dyke show giving us an idea of what Katherine Sloan might look like in the 1940's
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Goldberg & Rabkin once again prove themselves the driving force behind Diagnosis Murder with this dynamic episode, featuring an emmy-worthy performance from Jack Klugman and some of Dick Van Dyke's best moments of the entire series.
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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What are the names of these two episodes?
11/27/113
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Ellie's song from Swan Song
10/20/111
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Why was it cancelled?
10/09/119
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Jack or Jesse?
04/02/0928
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Back to the Beginning [Again!!!] on the BBC...
10/23/082
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