So far this is one my favorite Mannix episodes mostly because of the bat-s@@t crazy performance by Darren McGavin. Tend to think of McGavin in the "Night Stalker" show where he was physically a bit of a bumbler and never defended himself with direct force. It's a big change of pace to see him as a very physical villain. Planktonrules is right that the gymnastics scenes are shaky, but the cut to where he lands is kind of amusing.
Parts of this episode are straight from a thriller - the way McGavin has built up the crazy persona with the police and keeps stalking people and no one believes its him. After seeing this I would like to have seen McGavin as the villain in a horror or slasher movie, it seems he has the chops to be convincing as a nut job - but you don't expect it, kind of like Robin Williams.
The weak part of this one was Joe goes to see a guy who was court martialed and doesn't seem to think the guy would be ticked at him, and seems very slow to realize he may be involved. But McGavin's performance and the fast moving story carry the day. One small thing, Joe is supposed to be a black belt but this is one of the only times he uses any karate. In the credits he's standing with hands spread in the stance, but every fight scene it's punches and a push or two, not karate...except in this one.
Parts of this episode are straight from a thriller - the way McGavin has built up the crazy persona with the police and keeps stalking people and no one believes its him. After seeing this I would like to have seen McGavin as the villain in a horror or slasher movie, it seems he has the chops to be convincing as a nut job - but you don't expect it, kind of like Robin Williams.
The weak part of this one was Joe goes to see a guy who was court martialed and doesn't seem to think the guy would be ticked at him, and seems very slow to realize he may be involved. But McGavin's performance and the fast moving story carry the day. One small thing, Joe is supposed to be a black belt but this is one of the only times he uses any karate. In the credits he's standing with hands spread in the stance, but every fight scene it's punches and a push or two, not karate...except in this one.