In recent weeks, the Kelley House has added two new items to our collection, both connected to Murder, She Wrote. The hit television show starring Angela Lansbury filmed nine episodes in Mendocino, and many locals acted as extras during filming.
License plate used during Murder, She Wrote filming and the key to Angela’s suite
Local Bill Brazill brought us a simple black and white license plate used during filming in Mendocino. Given the nature of the show, and the sometimes-goofy weapons used in the crimes (a frozen fish, a puppet, a dog trained to use a remote control, as a few examples), you may wonder if the license plate was used as a weapon. While that’s an idea that should be written down for the future reboot of the show, this prop was much more mundane. The fictional town of Cabot Cove was set on the coast of Maine, but Mendocino was used as the backdrop for many of the outdoor shots. Maine and California are about as far apart as two states can be in the continental U.S., so it would be jarring to viewers if every car parked or driving in the background had California plates. To fix this, cars were given Maine plates to fit the setting. This plate reads “MAINE 610788 VACATIONLAND.”
A question for any Fangelas reading this: we’ve wondered if a car with California license plates ever slipped through and made it into the show. Let us know if you catch any!
The next item we’ve added to our collection comes from the Hill House Inn, otherwise known as the Hill House at Cabot Cove. The inn was used in several episodes of Murder, She Wrote, often to house visitors staying in Cabot Cove. In addition to the episodes, Angela Lansbury and her husband, Peter Shaw, would stay at the Hill House during filming. The inn is currently undergoing renovation, which includes updating the locks and keys to each room. In early September, the Kelley House Director Anne Semans received the keys to room 121—Angela Lansbury’s suite!
Both items are now on exhibit at the Kelley House Museum. If you have a historic item or photograph related to Murder, She Wrote that you’d like to donate to the Kelley House, email curator@kelleyhousemuseum.org
Last Weekend! On Tap at the Kelley House closes on Monday, September 29th. Come view this very popular exhibit before then! The Kelley House Museum is open Thursday-Monday 11am-3pm.