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Title

 The Dog-Walker Murders

Plot

 When wealthy and elderly women fall prey to a serial killer known for hypnotizing his victims, a man filled with hatred for his mother fears that his downfall at the hands of a woman.

Episode

 1265

Air Dates
  • First Run - December 4, 1981
  • Repeat - February 9, 1982

Actors
Lloyd Battista
Martha Greenhouse
Carol Teitel
Ian Martin

Writer
Ian Martin

Listen

Rating
71
61     10

4 Responses to Episode 1265

I rate this episode ★★★★★ for EXCELLENT. Ian Martin's story is one of the best spellbinding, bewitching, edge-of-your-seat mysteries I have ever heard! Here we have is a Drama-Mystery about a man, born and raised in a circus, who despised his mother, and becomes a Lady-Killer. And by Lady-Killer, I mean both a womanizer and a murderer. Listening to the main character's words as he narrates his thoughts was spine-tingling. The title of this episode worked. Another way to title this, would be "The Tortured And The Damned" because that's what our main character was. Or simply, "The Lady-Killer." The Circus background noise, footsteps to the Gypsy's wagon, teacups clinking, safe deposit boxes, bank keys, rotary phone, piano music at the Cafe, car engines running, traffic noise, paper bonds, background noise at the Police Station, stacks of cash, crickets, howling wind, bell tolls, and gun shots were the right sound effects for this. And the music was hauntingly beautiful! The perfect horror tunes to hear as the main character narrated his dark thoughts from one scene to the next. In our Host's Prologue, E.G. Marshall starts the show off by bringing up the topic of Greed. In ACT-1, it's Greed again and it's connected to our main character who thinks that the world owes him a living, but later finds out his past has returned to haunt him. In ACT-2, Greed again, only it will lead to murder. In ACT-3, Greed once more and the prophecy came true for the main character on how Greed destroyed him. In his Epilogue, E.G. Marshall points out that our main character was both the tortured and the damned. Fascinating narrations. And what's also fascinating, is our cast: Lloyd Battista (as Randy Garfield), Martha Greenhouse (as Madam Tatonia and Shirley Cooper), Carol Teitel (as Mrs. Brewbaker and Sergeant Barbara Rollins), and Ian Martin (as Mr. Banks and Lieutenant Cassidy). Both Carol Teitel and Ian Martin did very well in their police roles. But Martha Greenhouse and Lloyd Battista stole the show. Her performance as the widow and his performance as the killer were the best. Everyone should tune in to this episode. Even though it has little to do with Dogs, it is a terrific mystery story that needs to be "unleashed" and presented to the old and the new fans of CBSRMT. Until next time…pleasant dreams. =^D

Russell

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It should also be noted that this was Ian Martin's final script produced for the Mystery Theater; in fact, it was originally heard over four months after his death. He could be heard as an actor in one more play after this one: "The Song of the Siren."

Daniel;

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Most excellent story! I really liked hearing it from the killer's perspective. Mr. Battista had me on the edge of my seat!

Jim K.

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A good simple murder thriller. The "mother" theme didn't add much, in my opinion. The killer was just greedy and dumb. I had to laugh at the PSA after 3rd act which advised us to make a home inventory and store valuables in a safe deposit box. 😉

Rachel

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