Another Top 10 episode, and with a different slant.
Cannon is in contact with a gangster's wife who knows too much. No sooner when he leaves her one late night she is killed... and it takes a toll on him. Also it's a tough situation to be in because all roads lead to the LAPD, and his old bud. What is going on?
This is excellent writing on the part of Robert Blees, who wrote countless mysteries and adventures, foremost the cult thriller SCREAMING MIMI (1958). He also was behind DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN, starring Vincent Price.
Everybody's favorite tough guy Claude Akins makes his only appearance on the series playing a dirty cop. Watch him sweat this one out. Akins at the time was also appearing on POLICE STORY, and probably worked with William Conrad at Warner Brothers as he was everywhere on tv. He also had the reputation of never turning down anyone to sign autographs! He was a fun guy to know, and at this time he co-starred in BATTLE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES.
Point number two. Very popular Gene Nelson directed this with class and style, and with a poignant ending. Gene is famous for also directing Elvis in two movies, KISSIN COUSINS and HARUM SCARUM. Gene was hired because he knew actors and how to develop characterizations, and was an actor himself for many years. He was the director of MOD SQUAD for several seasons, and some of the best episodes.
Now the cast. A salute to pretty Julie Gregg, who was a mini star at the time, having played Sandra Corleone in THE GODFATHER. Alex Rocco is always at his best as a tough guy, likewise Frank Marth as the pain in the butt from the DA's office following Cannon everywhere he goes. Marth would return to the show many more times.
In the goof --but it can't be helped --department, yes, you can see folks watching the crew film Cannon in his Lincoln, looks like Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, a couple miles from Hollywood. That's one busy place, near CBS studios on Radford, though the show was filmed at Samuel Goldwyn in Hollywood. It's a tough call, even for Gene Nelson, because you probably had lots of tourists who couldn't help but stop and watch.
The mid-way scene where Cannon is blindfolded and driven away by some goon was also used in BARNABY JONES, thus counting the road bumps and area noise as to where they are being driven.
Partly filmed at the home of the stars, Linda Isle, Newport Beach, CA. Orginally a resort, and shaped like a horseshoe, it gradually became a wealthy residential area.
This is a classic Cannon episode, and the ending will stick with you. Great late night stuff. SEASON 3 EPISODE 5 remastered color CBS box set/ 6 dvd set. 2012.
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