Banacek (TV Series) No Sign of the Cross (1972) User Reviews

Once again, Banacek manages to foil the supposedly 'perfect' crime.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 28 December 2020]

When the story begins, an incredibly valuable jewel-encrusted cross is being packed and readied for transportation from Mexico to the United States. It all seems to go off without a hitch, but when the suitcase arrives at its destination, the case is opened and the cross inside is a cheap imitation!

This episode is interesting due to the guest stars. Victor Jory and Broderick Crawford, two old-time Hollywood actors provide some color for the episode. Additionally, like the first two episodes I saw, this one is immaculately written and intelligent....and well worth seeing.

Interesting episode.

[wkozak221 · 8/10 · 26 October 2019]

I like this episode. You get to see Broderick Crawford and Victor Jory. Great actors. The mystery is pretty intriguing. This is the only episode that I can remember where he is actually humble about his abilities. However, I got sick real quick of the Polish proverbs. I am 1/4 Polish. I never heard of any Polish proverbs.

The Missing Cross

[AaronCapenBanner · 6/10 · 28 February 2016]

Thomas Banacek(George Peppard) is called in by the Catholic Church in order to recover a golden cross stolen en-route by couriers in Mexico that is of much religious and monetary value. It was purchased from a third party by a former American gangster(played by Broderick Crawford) because he wants to try to redeem himself in the eyes of God, as he is in ill-health. He suspects another gangster and hated rival(played by Victor Jory), of the theft, but Thomas isn't so sure, as there are a variety of suspects to choose from. Rambling episode isn't that memorable but still reasonably entertaining. Murray Matheson as Felix Mullholland is absent, though Ralph Manza as Jay Drury at least appears.

Banacek and his fancy sneakers

[wapsiefeeds-03023 · 6/10 · 8 February 2022]

I would agree that the best parts are watching Broderick Crawford and Jory. It seems that Crawford's health was in a big decline as his voice is very raspy like as if he had throat cancer, just seems like. Hard to believe he was around 60 years old when filming this, he seems much older. Jory has a good role and gives a more nuanced account. My question to anyone out there is just what kind of running shoes was Banacek wearing during his visit to the ranch? It seemed to me very apparent that it was a kind of product placement as they stuck out a bit too much.

The Reverse Trasfiguration

[profh-1 · 6/10 · 21 May 2024]

An aging ex-gangster decides to buy and then donate a priceless cross to an Arch-Diocese, and great security precautions are taken to ensure its safe delivery from Mexico to Los Angeles. But when the package containing it is opened, it has suddenly become a simple metal cross. HOW?

The Church calls in Thomas Banacek, asking him to perform a "miracle" while admitting it's really the insurance company who'll be paying his finder's fee should he succeed. 3 different gangsters are among the suspects, and the story rambles in such a way that I simply found it IMPOSSIBLE to figure out how the crime was pulled off, who did it, or even how Banacek figured it out! But, as usual, it's the guest-cast that tends to make one of these things. (Although, if you take note of WHO is least happy about his investigating... but, I've already said too much. Heh.)

Broderick Crawford is "Gilbert Deretzo", a sickly ex-gangster who hopes his gift to The Church will buy his way into Heaven. Crazy enough, I always remember him for an episode of GET SMART, but, he was also Jack Kirby's model for touch NYC cop "Dan Turpin".

Louise Sorel (STAR TREK: "Requiem For Methuselah") is "Alicia Danato", Deretzo's grand-daughter, who takes a liking to Banacek.

Victor Jory (THE GREEN ARCHER) is Paul Andros, a former rival of Deretzo; each accuses the other of being behind the theft.

Peter Donat (THE CHINA SYNDROME) is "Robert Morgan", a much-younger gangster who's so obsessed about "owning" things and people, he winds up attacking Banacek with a sword because his girlfriend kissed the guy.

Ahna Capri (ENTER THE DRAGON) is "Mme. Pompadour" (at a party), who Banacek warns should get out while she can, after seeing Morgan make a complete fool of himself.

Kermit Murdock (THE ANDROMEDA SYNDROME), Peter Brocco (THE HAUNTED PALACE) and Olan Soule (SUPER FRIENDS) fill out the cast as an Archbishop, a Cardinal, and hotel desk clerk. I wonder how many people ever saw Soule onscreen and realized that for 15 years he was the cartoon voice of BATMAN?

The solution to this is BRILLIANT, but it would have been nice if I felt I had even the slightest chance of figuring it out on my own while watching.

Double Crossed

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 23 September 2015]

A pair of big screen veterans, Broderick Crawford and Victory Jory, head the guest cast of this Banacek episode as a pair of old time gangsters. In true gangster tradition Crawford buys a valuable cross encrusted with jewels and gold, kind of like a spiritual Maltese Falcon and was going to donate it to a church in Los Angeles. He got it from Jory through a ruse and Jory isn't happy.

The piety and affiliation for organized religion from some criminals never ceases to amaze me. So many in real life want to expiate their sins with acts like these.

Anyway someone pulls a Murphy switch and the cross that arrives in the Los Angeles Archdiocese is just a plain metal one. Unofficially George Peppard is working for the Archdiocese and they can sure afford his fee. A murder comes with the switch and Peppard solves both.

Like you thought he wouldn't.