I think I learned about this trick from an episode of Laverne and Shirley.J.J. Walters wrote:The notch is where the knife/dagger springs out from the target, to make it appear that it was actually thrown. While many knife throwers are real (and indeed throw real knives), I can't imagine they were used on TV show sets, especially when important cast members are involved!Jay-Firestorm wrote: I may be wrong, but there seems to be a notch in the tree from a previous practice shot of the dagger being thrown.
Another example of this in Magnum, is in "I Never Wanted to Go to France, Anyway" where Rick is the Indian's assistant. I also think they used a dummy for the scene where the wheel is spinning.
^^^My previous comment on the episode.I wish it had been more of a "whodunit?" I think there should have been more done to establish the various suspects motives. Start with the "murder" and then have a steady stream of clues and red herrings. And French maids.
After rewatching it this morning, I'd add one more point: I wish they had a different theme for the party. Something that would have allowed them to have more fun with the costumes. Maybe a "come as your favorite literary character" or something. I would have loved to see a concussed Higgins acting out a Hercule Poirot fantasy "helping" Magnum solve a mystery.