Cannon (TV Series) Lady on the Run (1975) User Reviews

I don't think I would go to that clinic!

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 15 April 2017]

Linda Merrick (Barbara Rush) is a mess. She's been treated for a drug problem, she cheats on her cold and distant husband and she just witnessed her lover kill someone. Clearly, she's not having a good day. In desperation, she goes to the same sanitarium where she was treated for her addiction and suddenly she finds herself being held prisoner! This is because she told them about the killing and the scumbags at this place are going to shake her down for a ton of money. Clearly these folks have never heard of the Hippocratic Oath! In the meantime, the boyfriend wants to find her...possibly to get rid of the one witness he had to the killing.

Linda's husband (Russell Johnson) feels responsible for her problems and admits to Cannon that he's been a crappy husband. He pays Cannon to go in search of Linda and get her before things get even worse.

This episode seems a bit more 'normal' than many "Cannon" shows. In other words, the problem and resolution seem like something a private eye might actually do...compared to many of the more fanciful episodes they made.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A MILLION?

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 28 May 2022]

Tribute to Barbara Rush, who passed in 2024 at age 97.

One of the best tv writers in the biz, Gerald Sanford, wrote this terrific yarn. Sanford was also writing for BARNABY JONES at the time, later for CHIPS.

This was Barbara Rush's only appearance on the series, and she shines. She recently guest starred on IRONSIDE, THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO and MANNIX. Rush plays Linda Merrick, a woman of means, who witnesses a killing. The catch is her new boyfriend did it. Now what happens to her?

Linda checks herself into a sanitarium, where she had been treated for a drug problem, and is promptly held prisoner by a sinister group. Of course her having lots of money may be a reason.

Tall and dark Barry Atwater is perfectly cast as the mysterious head doctor. Atwater's claim to fame was as the blood thirsty vampire in one of the great tv thrillers, THE NIGHT STALKER a few years earlier.

Russell Johnson (GILLIGANS ISLAND), makes another series appearance, playing Rush's estranged husband, Paul. They share a very poignant scene at the end, well directed by George McCowan. In fact, George got some very good performances from the entire cast.

Can you spot all the familiar faces in this episode? A kewpie doll if can name everybody.

Partly filmed in Sherman Oaks, California, along busy Ventura Boulevard. The motel in one of the scenes was torn down a few years later to make way for Chase Bank, which is still there today. The crew frequently filmed along Ventura Boulevard in Studio City also, and not that far from the famous BRADY BUNCH house and Beverly Garland's hotel.

Recommended 10 stars, especially for Barbara Rush.

SEASON 4, EPISODE 21 remastered color CBS dvd box set. Released 2016.