CLOUDCROFT LIGHT OPERA COMPANY-061101MurderMystery

CAST OF CHARACTERS
Edie Hart "Peter Gunn" played by Rebecca Sheriff	Jim Gillis "The Life of Riley" played by Larry Drake

Frank Smith "Dragnet" played by Tice Sheriff	Walter Denton "Our Miss Brooks" played by Dave Venable

Eve Whitfield "Ironside" played by Viola Penner	Harvey Weskitt "Mr Peepers" played by Gary Wood

Lisa Douglas (a/k/a Eva Gabor) "Green Acres" played by Charliss Randall	Susan MacNamara "Private Secretary" played by Pat Mishkin

Paul Drake "Perry Mason" played by Rich Penner	K "Clancey" Williams "The Danny Thomas Show" played by Patricia Drake

Dr. Marsh Tracy "Daktari" played by Michael Mishkin	Lily Ruskin "December Bride" played by Gloria Wood

Lt Arthur Tragg "Cloudcroft Sheriff" played by Terry Winkles

A couch potato production guaranteed to tax your knowledge of the golden age of TV. So tune in, rearrange those rabbit ears, and drag out the TV guide because someone is about to die. Dont touch that dial!

"A murder most unusual"

Mr. Arley (Ace) Nelson, a pioneer in TV ratings services, was found dead in his room Thursday at The Lodge in Cloudcroft, NM. Nelson was attending a reunion of casts and production staff personnel of a number of TV shows that aired during the "Golden Age" of television. TV stars of the 50's and 60's and their show people were all assembled to celebrate the time when TV ruled and black and white sets were the norm.

Mr. Nelson was responsible for designing and putting into place the most used ratings service that ranked the popularity of all TV shows. At first the sample homes chosen to provided their view preferences responded in writing using weekly questionnaires the results of which were later complied, ranked, and subsequently published on the following Wednesday. Later samplings were done electronically utilizing a black box hooked to the TV set and remoted to a central data collection office. Ace Nelson TV Ratings Service was able to provide a complete rankings of all TV shows by noon Monday. Television broadcast companies made their decisions as to which TV shows would be renewed or canceled based solely on the Nelson ratings. Nelson's rating reports were either the axe that chopped off low rated TV shows or the lifeline that assured another season of show.

More importantly, because of the power of the ratings report, Nelson wielded great influence in the TV advertising community.

His service helped set the advertising rates, performer's salaries, and continued employment for those involved in the production of the series.

The TV-Retro Reunion was to be a gathering of members and staff of some of the old TV shows who had decided to come together and reminisce over their involvement in the "Golden Age" of television. However, underneath the cordiality and story telling, there lurked a smoldering fire for revenge.

That long suppressed feeling of revenge erupted into the sudden dispatch of Mr. Arley (Ace) nelson at the hands of murder(s) unknown. So, put on your rabbit ears, adjust the fine tuner, and channel in on our presentation of murder at The Lodge. As Joe Friday said many time, "Just the facts, ma'am."

Good Luck !!

MURDER SCENE

At approximately 11:30 p.m. on 2 November 2006, in room 413, Mr. Arley (Ace) Nelson founder of the ACE Nelson TV Ratings Service was found in his bed by Alice Kramden, a member of the TV show, "I Really Liked Lucy". When Alice knocked on the door to Mr. Nelson's room she did not receive an answer. After insistent knocking, Alice pushed against the door and discovered it unlocked and went into the room.

Because the overhead light was on, Ms Kramden was able to view the interior of the room and saw Nelson spread-eagle on the bed with a fountain pen sticking out of his chest.

Alice quickly backed out of the room and ran to the front desk and approached the night clerk, Frank Cannon, and asked him to investigate the situation.

Cannon called The Lodge security office and had Joe Mannix respond to the room to investigate.

Upon reaching room 413, Joe found the door shut and locked and had to use his passkey to enter the room. When Joe entered his immediately went to the bed to see if Nelson was live. He felt for a pulse and found none. Using his cell phone he called the Cloudcroft EMS and them the Cloudcroft Police Department. After making the calls he closed the door and waited for the ambulance and police to arrive.

The investigation continues.

		Thanks, Gloria, for all the great photos.

	A great time was had by all. Can you find yourself??


	Have you seen yourself??






DID THE INTERVIEWS HELP YOU WITH THE CLUES???

November 3,4,5 LODGE MURDER MYSTERY "Murder in TV Retro Land" or "These Ratings are Killing Me"	Written by Dave Venable

INFORMATION DESK PERSONNEL

OUR WINNERS

OUR GRAND PRIZE WINNER