There's some catchy dialogue in this one and, apparently, a very clever villain at work. Watch the opening scene with the pilot. Classic Mannix.
Interestingly, the story revolves around the theft of a famous race horse called Sun and Sky. This brings to mind many of the old CHARLIE CHAN mysteries, which the writers obviously were watching on tv in reruns. This dynamic episode may have also inspired a later story, all about a disappearing race horse on BANACEK. Horses seemed to be a good bet for story potential back in the day, and this is a prime example. Try to figure it out.
Best of it all are two legendary co-stars; Gene Raymond (as Richmond Greene) who was starring in movies since the 1930s and enormously popular on tv, and Anita Louise (as his wife, Althea). Louise, who resembled Loretta Young, was best prepared for this role having starred in the tv series, MY FRIEND FLICKA. I am sure there must have been a lot of promotion about this episode, considering the talent involved. Sadly, Anita Louise passed a few months later. She was billed as one of the most beautiful and best dressed actresses in Hollywood, since the 1930s. Her final role was in MOD SQUAD.
Watch for Alex Dreier as Sam Dallas. Alex was originally a network radio newsman, but built for the screen for over the top roles, usually as a crafty villain. He was a one of a kind actor, sort of in the tradition of Raymond Burr, but slick. Also Harry Carey, Jr appears, son of the famous screen cowboy and popular actor William Phipps.
To note, Dreier worked at ABC news during WWII and may have worked with Telly Savalas (KOJAK) who was also a newsman and reporter back in the day.
Dreier gained famed covering the Korean War for radio and was dubbed "the voice".
Believe it or not, Joe puts the ransom money in a trash can! He gets beat up, too! Again, shades of all those classic, old mysteries we love. And keep watch for the hippies who like money!
SEASON 3 EPISODE 12. Remastered CBS dvd box set. MERRY CHRISTMAS 1969.
Interestingly, the story revolves around the theft of a famous race horse called Sun and Sky. This brings to mind many of the old CHARLIE CHAN mysteries, which the writers obviously were watching on tv in reruns. This dynamic episode may have also inspired a later story, all about a disappearing race horse on BANACEK. Horses seemed to be a good bet for story potential back in the day, and this is a prime example. Try to figure it out.
Best of it all are two legendary co-stars; Gene Raymond (as Richmond Greene) who was starring in movies since the 1930s and enormously popular on tv, and Anita Louise (as his wife, Althea). Louise, who resembled Loretta Young, was best prepared for this role having starred in the tv series, MY FRIEND FLICKA. I am sure there must have been a lot of promotion about this episode, considering the talent involved. Sadly, Anita Louise passed a few months later. She was billed as one of the most beautiful and best dressed actresses in Hollywood, since the 1930s. Her final role was in MOD SQUAD.
Watch for Alex Dreier as Sam Dallas. Alex was originally a network radio newsman, but built for the screen for over the top roles, usually as a crafty villain. He was a one of a kind actor, sort of in the tradition of Raymond Burr, but slick. Also Harry Carey, Jr appears, son of the famous screen cowboy and popular actor William Phipps.
To note, Dreier worked at ABC news during WWII and may have worked with Telly Savalas (KOJAK) who was also a newsman and reporter back in the day.
Dreier gained famed covering the Korean War for radio and was dubbed "the voice".
Believe it or not, Joe puts the ransom money in a trash can! He gets beat up, too! Again, shades of all those classic, old mysteries we love. And keep watch for the hippies who like money!
SEASON 3 EPISODE 12. Remastered CBS dvd box set. MERRY CHRISTMAS 1969.