Murder 101 is a series of four mystery films created specifically for television. These films were shown on the Hallmark Channel and the Hallmark Movie Channel. The movies feature Dick Van Dyke and his son, Barry Van Dyke. In the United Kingdom, the films were first broadcast on Channel 5.

Films in the series

• Murder 101 (pilot) – Mike and Jonathan work to show an undercover reporter is not guilty of killing her boss. Directed by Christian I. Nyby, written by Dean Hargrove, and produced by Kyle A. Clark and James Wilberger. (First aired January 7, 2006)

• Murder 101: College Can Be Murder – Jonathan Maxwell investigates the death of a well-known college professor and finds the man had many enemies. Directed by John Putch, written by Michael Gleason, and produced by Kyle A. Clark and James Wilberger. (First aired January 29, 2007)

• Murder 101: If Wishes Were Horses – When a horse disappears before a major race, Maxwell looks into the case to learn what happened. Directed by David S. Cass Sr., written by Bridget Terry, and produced by Brian Gordon and Erik Olson. (First aired August 9, 2007)

• Murder 101: The Locked Room Mystery – Dr. Maxwell and Bryant try to solve the murder of a New Age spiritualist. Directed by David S. Cass Sr., written by Walter Klenhard, and produced by Erik Heiberg and James Wilberger. (First aired January 14, 2008)

Characters

Dr. Jonathan Maxwell (Dick Van Dyke) – A professor who studies crimes and helps solve them. He often solves crimes because they happen near him. He uses his brain to solve problems and analyze clues.

Mike Bryant (Barry Van Dyke) – A former police officer who became a private detective after being prevented from working at the police station. His father was friends with Dr. Maxwell, and he sees Maxwell as a father figure. He is often involved in action and chase scenes while solving mysteries. (Barry is the real-life son of Dick Van Dyke.)

Ben Manners (Shane Van Dyke) – First seen in the movie College Can Be Murder (2007) and later in Locked Room Mystery (2008), Ben is Mike Bryant’s nephew. He is studying to be a lawyer at the same college as Dr. Maxwell. However, after watching his uncle solve crimes, he wants to become a private investigator. He helps solve mysteries using technology. (Shane is the real-life grandson of Dick Van Dyke and the son of Barry Van Dyke.)

Guest stars

Wes Van Dyke – He portrayed students named Craig and Zack in two films. (Wes Van Dyke is the son of Barry Van Dyke and the grandson of Dick Van Dyke.)

Carey Van Dyke – He appeared as Solar, a suspect in the movie Locked Room Mystery. (Carey Van Dyke is the son of Barry Van Dyke and the grandson of Dick Van Dyke.)

Kimberly Quinn – She appeared in the movie College Can Be Murder as Kelly Fogelle. She also appeared in the TV series Diagnosis: Murder with Barry Van Dyke and Dick Van Dyke.

Challen Cates – She appeared in the movie College Can Be Murder as Alana. She also appeared in the TV series Diagnosis: Murder with Barry Van Dyke and Dick Van Dyke.

Home media

On May 16, 2017, Millcreek Entertainment released the Murder 101 Collection, which includes the third and fourth movies: Murder 101: If Wishes Were Horses and Murder 101: The Locked Room Mystery.