One relatively common plot in crime shows of the 60s and 70s is the investigator who goes to a VERY unfriendly town. In shows like this, the townsfolk all work together to plant evidence on the investigator and get him out of town. However, unlike earlier episodes of "Mannix" that used this plot (as well as "Quincy", "Cannon" and other shows of the era), this one manages to breath new life into the common theme. Up until this twist occurred, however, I just assumed it was more of the same. Was I wrong! This is because it turns out that folks are messing with Mannix because the entire town is being held captive by a group of evil thieves. You see, the men threaten to destroy the place by releasing nerve gas-- and the gang ALSO tells the town fathers that they must get rid of Mannix and tell no authorities outside the city about their plight! Interesting? Yep...and very exciting. Well worth your time.
4 Reviews
One of the good ones
Guad422 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
As the first reviewer said, this is a nice variation on the usual "small town is bad" theme. You think everyone is in on some giant caper when they are just scared people following orders. The truth comes out about half way through the show. I thought it was strange the government seemed to be uninterested that someone had stole their nerve gas but then some agents show up later in the episode. Peggy had one scene with a bum knee. I assume she really did hurt it and they had to get it in the script. The cast is all good. This series always had veteran performers as guest stars and there are several on hand here. Too long a list to go through but all get the job done. Can't understand why the actress playing the kidnapped girl is not credited. Enjoyed seeing Hugh Beaumont as the father of the kidnap victim that started this whole case off. Urban and polished as always. He aged well.
I don't understand why the crooks agreed to let Mannix deliver the payoff. You would think they would use someone less threatening to their plan. A minor complaint about a good episode. Joe gets knocked out but would have been paid by Hugh so a win for him.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING AWAY ON JOE...
tcchelsey29 March 2023
10 Plus Stars.
Barry Trivers wrote this tense episode, and that's an understatement. He handled many adventures and westerns. Hold on to your hat.
Wealthy businessman Mr. Calder (convincingly played by Hugh Beaumont) hires Joe to find his daughter who vanished. Nobody knows a darn thing. Her abrupt disappearance is actually tied to a sinister group who --are you ready? ---want to hold a small town hostage for a cool million bucks. If they don't receive the money in an allotted time, they will unleash a deadly nerve gas on the residents.
This sounds like a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE-type story that could have taken place in some small European country, influenced by a dictator. This may have been re-written for Mannix, but it nevertheless is good, and perhaps one of the series' very best earlier episodes. It's offbeat, even campy, and the acting is right on target.
This was one of Hugh Beaumont's last tv roles, who retired to Minnesota where he owned an island. He appeared on the series in two other excellent episodes and is little grayer, but a memorable actor. He was a minor movie star in B films in the 1940s, playing detectives, long before becoming the famous tv dad on LEAVE IT TO BEAVER.
Veteran actor Alan Baxter plays deadpan Major Lewis. Baxter played some neat bad guys in his time, and Paul Picerni is cast as the town sheriff. Familiar comedy actor Johnny Silver plays Jed and that's Arthur Space, playing the stable owner, who appeared in many classic films, including working with Laurel and Hardy.
Rowe Wallenstein is to be credited for directing, who served as assistant director for almost the entire series run. He earned his stripes, and a record in that position.
Joe sweats this one out to the end, no kidding. This production was a labor of love and should have been Emmy nominated. No question.
Super late night entertainment. SEASON 3 EPISODE 24 remastered CBS dvd box set.
Barry Trivers wrote this tense episode, and that's an understatement. He handled many adventures and westerns. Hold on to your hat.
Wealthy businessman Mr. Calder (convincingly played by Hugh Beaumont) hires Joe to find his daughter who vanished. Nobody knows a darn thing. Her abrupt disappearance is actually tied to a sinister group who --are you ready? ---want to hold a small town hostage for a cool million bucks. If they don't receive the money in an allotted time, they will unleash a deadly nerve gas on the residents.
This sounds like a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE-type story that could have taken place in some small European country, influenced by a dictator. This may have been re-written for Mannix, but it nevertheless is good, and perhaps one of the series' very best earlier episodes. It's offbeat, even campy, and the acting is right on target.
This was one of Hugh Beaumont's last tv roles, who retired to Minnesota where he owned an island. He appeared on the series in two other excellent episodes and is little grayer, but a memorable actor. He was a minor movie star in B films in the 1940s, playing detectives, long before becoming the famous tv dad on LEAVE IT TO BEAVER.
Veteran actor Alan Baxter plays deadpan Major Lewis. Baxter played some neat bad guys in his time, and Paul Picerni is cast as the town sheriff. Familiar comedy actor Johnny Silver plays Jed and that's Arthur Space, playing the stable owner, who appeared in many classic films, including working with Laurel and Hardy.
Rowe Wallenstein is to be credited for directing, who served as assistant director for almost the entire series run. He earned his stripes, and a record in that position.
Joe sweats this one out to the end, no kidding. This production was a labor of love and should have been Emmy nominated. No question.
Super late night entertainment. SEASON 3 EPISODE 24 remastered CBS dvd box set.
Another small town hiding a secret
pkfloydmh16 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is yet another episode about a hostile small town that is hiding a secret and wants Joe out because they're afraid he'll discover their secret. This is an overused cliche that has been used endlessly on TV shows in the '60s and '70s. But it's not the only cliche here - Joe gets clobbered over the head again, gets thrown in jail by the hostile townsfolk, and diffuses the bomb at the very last possible second just before it explodes. All of it is ridiculous and laughable and has been seen countless times before.
There's no reason to see this one.
There's no reason to see this one.
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