Cannon (TV Series) Come Watch Me Die (1973) User Reviews

Insane?

[edrybaaudio · 8/10 · 12 December 2018]

Reviewer Martin Hafer asks in his review of this "Cannon" installment, "Does ANY building anywhere actually have a place labeled, "State Hospital For The Insane"? I'd say he's right in thinking such a place doesn't exist in the U.S.A., but then he wraps up his review with an idea just as preposterous - that ANY TV Drama could possibly change one's life. I'm sure NO TV detective ever changed ANYONE'S life! However, there are a LOT of TV detectives who were fun to watch... whether the show is new or was made in 1973, as this one was. I happen to like "Cannon" because of the acting skill of Bill Conad, along with that of most of the guest stars. There are no huge stars in this one, either, however, the actors in this one are all good.

I, for one, will watch ANYTHING that stars Classic Radio's Marshall Dillon! And that guy would happen to be The Great (in more ways than one) William Conrad.

Intriguing story of a man who believes that he was framed for murder.

[FloridaFred · 9/10 · 30 December 2020]

A bit of a slow start, but the action picks up by Act II. Don Stroud (character "Marty Brand") does a great portrayal of the man who believes that he was framed.

This story has it all... mobsters and racketeers, a broken-hearted ditched girlfriend, a winery owner who is an absolute connoisseur, and the stunning Ahna Capri ("Sharon") as the woman who Marty Brand is seeking.

I rate it 9 stars.

MAN ON THE RUN, AND IS HE RUNNIN'!

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 27 September 2022]

High adventure, and thanks to Herb Meadow, who created one of the greatest tv westerns HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL, next to GUNSMOKE. Unfortunately, this was the only episode he wrote, but the series was lucky to have him. Meadow had just finished an episode of MANNIX.

"Come Watch Me Die" is a super story. Everything centers around rugged Don Stroud (as Marty), who escapes from an asylum for the criminally insane. He's been cleverly framed by the mob, specifically smooth villain Michael Toland. Toland was the right choice for this role.

Yes, I agree with the last reviewer, there are NO institutions that advertise "insane" on their front doors? Creative writing 101. That said, the going here is rough for Marty. Don Stroud was a regular on HAWAII FIVE O and many other top shows, who began his career as a surfer and taught surfing to actors. He is also a hero of sorts as he prevented a mugging in Hollywood, but was injured by a maniac with a knife, and carries the scars to this day.

This episode is chock full of terrific actors. Popular screen actress Ahna Capri plays Toland's gal friend. She was a regular at Warner Brothers/ABC tv and likely worked with William Conrad during his director years. Look for veteran Will Kuluva (who generally played professors and scholars) a standout as Stroud's concerned father. Will was also a voice actor on JOHNNY QUEST. Meg Foster (as Linda, Stroud's girl) has an early role, quite popular on tv at the time. She next appeared on BARNABY JONES. John Larch returns, playing Pete, the guy at the beach helping teens at his workshop. He was good friends with Bill Conrad, and also probably knew Herb Meadow, having appeared in dozens of westerns himself.

George McCowan returned to direct, an alumnus of MOD SQUAD, and this does play like an episode from that show. Excellent writing, directing and acting, Don Stroud the one to watch.

Note the Moorpark Inn, where Cannon is having dinner, also turned up in an episode of COLUMBO with Jack Cassidy, soon to appear on the series. Partly filmed at the famous Gulls Estate at Malibu, later owned by tv personality Dick Clark.

SEASON 3 EPISODE 8 remastered CBS color dvd box set. 20 hrs. (2012).

Decent.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 7 November 2016]

The title to this episode of "Cannon" is priceless..."Come Watch Me Die"! It begins with Marty Brand escaping from an institution with a sign that reads 'State Hospital for the Criminally Insane". Does any building anywhere actually have this sort of signage?! Regardless, he apparently got himself transferred to this place from prison so that he could escape easier. Soon some folks are worried because Marty has reason to be angry...he was apparently set up and did not the commit the murder for which he was convicted. Others, however, seemed happy he was out as they, too, believe he was railroaded.

This is a pretty good episode but one that isn't particularly outstanding. Worth seeing but one that won't change your life.