This episode relies more on Cannon's ace detective skills than fists, but still pretty good and what a terrific cast.
Co-starring Michael Tolan as John Wittig, an assemblyman who apparently is marked for death by a hitman. The only strange thing here, and I do agree with the last reviewer, the hitman needs re-training! Not that you want to see a lot of killings, however the hitman does stumble. In real life, he would have been eliminated himself.
There's more drama worked into the plot, and featuring pretty Brooke Bundy (in her second series appearance) playing Nancy, whose husband (George Dicenzo) is suspected in the attempted murder, not a fan or follower of Wittig either.
What next? Cannon is also marked for death.
The cast puts this one over the top, particularly Tolan in his third series appearance. DiCenzo, in an early role, would soon gain fame playing the crusading lawyer, Anthony Bugliosi, in the Charles Manson documentary, HELTER SKELTER. Brooke Bundy, by the way, shortly after this episode joined the cast of DAYS OF OUR LIVES.
Also featured is Lawrence Pressman and veterans Milton Selzer and raspy voiced Ken Lynch (as PJ). Lynch was great at playing either bad guys or wise cracking cops in a long career.
The only episode directed by Harry Falk, who was also working on SWAT and HARRY O. He does throw some action Cannon's way when the hitman uses him for target practice at a lake, forcing him to jump in. There are bullets EVERYWHERE -- darn lucky break for Cannon as he should have gotten grazed. Although Mannix did experience the same near-misses, many times.
I tag this 9 Stars for star quality. The series did hold a record of sorts for featuring some very popular guest stars, season after season. This is a prime example.
The opening scene was filmed at the front steps of Van Nuys City Hall (good luck with parking!). Catch the scene with Cannon and Wittig (Tolan) getting into an elevator outside BARNABY JONES' office door. Was that another gag or what?
From SEASON 4 EPISODE 17 remastered color CBS dvd box set. 2016 release.