Good episode with a nice twist ending. Larry Linville plays a police Sgt who will become a lieutenant in later episodes. Given his investigative expertise in this show, I wonder how he ever made Lt. After watching this episode, I would select him to play Frank Burns in a heartbeat.
Peggy gets to pump her old police pals for information and goes undercover! Joe definitely needs to give her a raise. Joe doesn't get hit over the head or drugged but does get his car sabotaged. Jack Bannon has a nice turn as a "with it" priest prior to his "Lou Grant" gig a few years later.
I have to admit I thought the throwaway line by the police officer of finding a body in the sea of a 60 year old man would prove to be the missing uncle. It didn't turn out that way. Well done, writers!
I recommend this episode. The show is hitting its stride after the changes made from season 1.
5 Reviews
Quite good but also quite obviously inspired by the Hitchcock film.
planktonrules14 May 2013
It's quite obvious that this episode of "Mannix" is based on the old film "The Rear Window". Because of this, the show should lose a few points for creativity...or a lack of it. Still, it's a very watchable and enjoyable episode.
The show begins with Mannix flying in a helicopter (why he is doing this is never mentioned, by the way). During this flight, he sees what appears to be a man strangling a woman on a rooftop penthouse! However, the pilot doesn't see it. When they land, Mannix naturally tells the cops and the investigator (Larry Linville) is amazingly blasé about it! You would think he'd take this all very seriously. However, when the lady appears to be just fine, the case is dropped--and the police tell Mannix to drop it. Of course, Mannix won't and he later returns to the apartment. When he does, the lady apparently has set him up--and hurts herself just before the cops come busting into the apartment. It's obvious now that Mannix is on to something...but what?
This is a pretty good episode. Plus, you get to see Michael Wilding (one of Liz Taylor's husbands) and Frank Campanella (the brother of Joseph--a regular during season one). In addition, you'll LOVE the lady at the church--her character is pretty funny. Worth seeing and well written if hardly original.
The show begins with Mannix flying in a helicopter (why he is doing this is never mentioned, by the way). During this flight, he sees what appears to be a man strangling a woman on a rooftop penthouse! However, the pilot doesn't see it. When they land, Mannix naturally tells the cops and the investigator (Larry Linville) is amazingly blasé about it! You would think he'd take this all very seriously. However, when the lady appears to be just fine, the case is dropped--and the police tell Mannix to drop it. Of course, Mannix won't and he later returns to the apartment. When he does, the lady apparently has set him up--and hurts herself just before the cops come busting into the apartment. It's obvious now that Mannix is on to something...but what?
This is a pretty good episode. Plus, you get to see Michael Wilding (one of Liz Taylor's husbands) and Frank Campanella (the brother of Joseph--a regular during season one). In addition, you'll LOVE the lady at the church--her character is pretty funny. Worth seeing and well written if hardly original.
TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL WILDING
tcchelsey3 February 2023
I totally agree with the last reviewer, yes, there are shades of Hitchcock's REAR WINDOW. True, another old story, but fairly good. In typical Mannix fashion, Joe is in a helicopter and see's a murder --or what looks like a murder being committed --but no one believes him. Also there's no body, no police report, no nothing. Of course, it makes him look like a darn fool by the villains. Pretty clever stuff.
Interestingly, this theme was also used by the famous Miss Marple (Margaret Rutherford) in her first whodunit MURDER, SHE SAID (1961), only it took place on a train. Watch for that classic.
Applause for Michael Wilding (ex-husband of Liz Taylor, or the actor before Richard Burton). Wilding, always a treat to watch, plays a debonaire gent called Philip. This was one of his final tv roles as he suffered from epilepsy, which contributed to his fatal fall down a flight of stairs. British Hazel Court (famous in Hammer horror films) plays Barbara. They make a grand team.
Also look for veteran Kate Woodville as Joanna. Future tv star Jack Bannon (LOU GRANT) ironically plays a priest, Father Graves. This episode was filmed around the time of the death of his famous mom, Bea Benadaret (PETTICOAT JUNCTION). His step father, a well known businessman, passed a few days later. This was a very sad story in Hollywood. Jack turned up in some other roles in the series in the next few years.
Look again for Frank Campanella as Lt. Angstrom, who may have been auditioning for a regular role, though it instead went to Ward Wood as Malcolm.
Real estate note: A scene was filmed along Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palasades, California at the beach. Today, a 1 bedroom apartment in that part of town rents for a cool million!
A recommended whodunit to who? SEASON 2 EPISODE 11 CBS dvd box set. Caution: The season 2 box sets generally run higher in price than season 1 because Peggy joined the cast.
Interestingly, this theme was also used by the famous Miss Marple (Margaret Rutherford) in her first whodunit MURDER, SHE SAID (1961), only it took place on a train. Watch for that classic.
Applause for Michael Wilding (ex-husband of Liz Taylor, or the actor before Richard Burton). Wilding, always a treat to watch, plays a debonaire gent called Philip. This was one of his final tv roles as he suffered from epilepsy, which contributed to his fatal fall down a flight of stairs. British Hazel Court (famous in Hammer horror films) plays Barbara. They make a grand team.
Also look for veteran Kate Woodville as Joanna. Future tv star Jack Bannon (LOU GRANT) ironically plays a priest, Father Graves. This episode was filmed around the time of the death of his famous mom, Bea Benadaret (PETTICOAT JUNCTION). His step father, a well known businessman, passed a few days later. This was a very sad story in Hollywood. Jack turned up in some other roles in the series in the next few years.
Look again for Frank Campanella as Lt. Angstrom, who may have been auditioning for a regular role, though it instead went to Ward Wood as Malcolm.
Real estate note: A scene was filmed along Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palasades, California at the beach. Today, a 1 bedroom apartment in that part of town rents for a cool million!
A recommended whodunit to who? SEASON 2 EPISODE 11 CBS dvd box set. Caution: The season 2 box sets generally run higher in price than season 1 because Peggy joined the cast.
Memorable Episode with a two word punch line.
movies-1097 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Mannix witnesses a murder from a helicopter, but there's no evidence that it really happened, no one is dead. Even Frank Burns... er... Lt. Kramer doesn't believe him. Of course the nobodys that didn't commit a murder try to kill Mannix by sabotaging his car. And whenever this happens, Mannix is instantly transported to the Mulholland fire road. And we know that once someone tries to kill Mannix, he'll back away from the case... that always works LOL. Anyway forget the cliches. This mystery comes down to one two word line, and when it is spoken all the pieces fall together for the viewer. Blink and you'd miss it. I watched all of Mannix back on the first run when I was a kid. They were all cool but most of them I don't remember. This one I do, and it's absolutely worth watching. I love having Mannix on DVD.
I saw this episode probably 40 years before I watched Hitchcock's Rear Window, which is a classic for sure. A View Of Nowhere stands on its own. Mannix hit stride in seasons 2, 3, and 4.
I saw this episode probably 40 years before I watched Hitchcock's Rear Window, which is a classic for sure. A View Of Nowhere stands on its own. Mannix hit stride in seasons 2, 3, and 4.
Surprise Ending
miketypeeach19 February 2024
Now this is some good writing. Others have compared the story with others, but for me, only Joe Mannix can find trouble even when he isn't looking for it. Thing is, whether he knows it or not, he was born looking for trouble. CLUE: Don't be so quick to focus on the supposed victim, as there is where I made my mistake. Actually, my version would've worked, too, even with the visiting niece. You see, I thought there were two redheads. I'll leave it at that.
It's only when Joe agrees to the assistance of the niece did the lightbulb in my brain suddenly turn on. The cops were as uncooperative as you might've expected. Peggy was gorgeous, as was the neice. The views of the California coast are stunning. Also, Joe Mannix wore some mighty fine threads, man.
It's only when Joe agrees to the assistance of the niece did the lightbulb in my brain suddenly turn on. The cops were as uncooperative as you might've expected. Peggy was gorgeous, as was the neice. The views of the California coast are stunning. Also, Joe Mannix wore some mighty fine threads, man.
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