The best of this episode is watching versatile Estelle Winwood (as Aunt Anita) help Barnaby solve a puzzling case. She is one of a kind. Her antique dollhouse figures prominently in exposing the murderer of a famous author.
This story was somewhat done in the tradition of a Miss Marple mystery, so well played by the great Margaret Rutherford, who passed not too long before this episode.
Benjamin Masselink wrote this one, who handled four episodes for the series, later doing work for STARSKY AND HUTCH. He spins a super tale here. Ben may have also been inspired by the old movie detectives, such as Philo Vance (William Powell), who in THE KENNEL MURDER CASE (1933) used a dollhouse to re-construct a killing, a classic movie scene well remembered by all of us mystery buffs.
Smooth villain Jack Cassidy makes an appearance, playing Woodridge, and I agree with the last reviewer his black goatee makes him a dead giveaway for a shady, shady character, indeed. Could also have been a little inside joke cooked up by the makeup people, too?
Regardless, Jack was at his best in the villainous department. Also guest starring is Anne Francis as Miriam, never to let fans down. Anne was a natural in both movies for years and later tv. She also played a dynamic suspect or mystery woman.
There is one goof... Barnaby leaves the hotel manager on the floor, and does not check to see if he's all right. True, with his medical background, he should have at least checked his pulse. Then again... IF you were Barnaby you probably didn't give a heck because the goon would have probably slugged him first, right?
Another top mystery, and wait for the ultimate ending. SEASON 1 EPISODE 8 remastered CBS dvd box set.