Production Information[]
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.
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.
Victim: Elmo Banner
Killer: Kenny Oakes
Cause of death: Poisoning via phenobarbital overdose.
Motive: Felt Elmo's antics were ruining business at their family drugstore and wanted to take over.
Goofs[]
Doc Hazlett arrives at the dinner party and knows all of the Sheriff's relatives, but he had never met them.
Starring[]
Regular Cast[]
Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher
Recurring Cast[]
Tom Bosley as Sheriff Amos Tupper
William Windom as Dr. Seth Hazlitt
Guest Stars[]
Colleen Camp as Marigold Feeney
Anne Meara as Winnie Tupper Banner
Dennis Bailey as Deputy Grover
Joseph V. Perry as Ralph
Geoffrey Lewis as Kenny Oakes