Final episode of the season, which has the feel of a MANNIX story, thanks to versatile actor Luke Askew, playing Ben Zelko, another deranged character out to settle a score. Askew definitely came from the James Olsen school of villains... as you will see. If you're a movie buff, you'll recognize Luke from many westerns.
On a brighter note, this is an early role for Cindy Williams and she's very good, playing a twenty-something named June. This may have been a springboard to her being cast in the acclaimed movie, THE CONVERSATION, starring Gene Hackman. Cindy passed in 2023. Yet another future tv star who got a break by appearing on Cannon.
THE STALKER, incidentally, was written by a hero, novelist Richard Newhafer, a decorated WWII veteran who began a career as a writer of best selling war novels, before branching into tv. He worked with Bill Conrad at Warner Brothers/ABC and passed not too long after this episode aired.
I agree with the last reviewer (although it was a Top 10 episode) the question remains -- HOW did Zelco know when Cannon was taking a vacation? Luke Askew nevertheless is quite creepy, stalking Frank at a remote cabin and even going as far as to crush a bag of chips. All us kids in high school back in the day did not like that scene. Crushing chips is crossing the line!
Cindy Williams enters the picture, playing a hiker with her boyfriend and a puppy. It was excellent casting to have a younger couple meet up with Cannon, and you can tell that the kids were having a good time with Bill Conrad. Darrell Williams plays Cindy's companion, quite popular on tv at the time, later guesting on EIGHT IS ENOUGH.
Craggy faced Russell Thorsen, a veteran of radio (I LOVE A MYSTERY) turns up as a gentleman rancher and Cannon's bud, Andy. He's doomed and soon becomes a victim, and rather grisly. Cannon's call center operator is played by popular model Nedra Deen, who appeared in several cop shows at the time and died suddenly about a year after this episode.
To answer another reviewer's question. The person tied up in the back of the maniac's car (in his underwear?) HAD to be the gas station attendant, there's no other explanation, because he could identify him. Strange, he was not killed, but Andy was.
Long time heavy Biff Elliott plays the guy driving the T-bird in the beginning who gives Askew a lift.
No notes on filming, however this looks to have been photgraphed near Big Bear, California, or at least in the rugged high desert. BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY. SEASON 3 EPISODE 25 remastered color CBS dvd box set, a collector's item today. 2012 release.
On a brighter note, this is an early role for Cindy Williams and she's very good, playing a twenty-something named June. This may have been a springboard to her being cast in the acclaimed movie, THE CONVERSATION, starring Gene Hackman. Cindy passed in 2023. Yet another future tv star who got a break by appearing on Cannon.
THE STALKER, incidentally, was written by a hero, novelist Richard Newhafer, a decorated WWII veteran who began a career as a writer of best selling war novels, before branching into tv. He worked with Bill Conrad at Warner Brothers/ABC and passed not too long after this episode aired.
I agree with the last reviewer (although it was a Top 10 episode) the question remains -- HOW did Zelco know when Cannon was taking a vacation? Luke Askew nevertheless is quite creepy, stalking Frank at a remote cabin and even going as far as to crush a bag of chips. All us kids in high school back in the day did not like that scene. Crushing chips is crossing the line!
Cindy Williams enters the picture, playing a hiker with her boyfriend and a puppy. It was excellent casting to have a younger couple meet up with Cannon, and you can tell that the kids were having a good time with Bill Conrad. Darrell Williams plays Cindy's companion, quite popular on tv at the time, later guesting on EIGHT IS ENOUGH.
Craggy faced Russell Thorsen, a veteran of radio (I LOVE A MYSTERY) turns up as a gentleman rancher and Cannon's bud, Andy. He's doomed and soon becomes a victim, and rather grisly. Cannon's call center operator is played by popular model Nedra Deen, who appeared in several cop shows at the time and died suddenly about a year after this episode.
To answer another reviewer's question. The person tied up in the back of the maniac's car (in his underwear?) HAD to be the gas station attendant, there's no other explanation, because he could identify him. Strange, he was not killed, but Andy was.
Long time heavy Biff Elliott plays the guy driving the T-bird in the beginning who gives Askew a lift.
No notes on filming, however this looks to have been photgraphed near Big Bear, California, or at least in the rugged high desert. BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY. SEASON 3 EPISODE 25 remastered color CBS dvd box set, a collector's item today. 2012 release.
