Mannix (TV Series) Babe in the Woods (1972) User Reviews

Wouldn't it have just been easier to do this without Mannix's help?

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 27 January 2015]

When this show begins, you see two businessmen playing golf and doing some sort of negotiation. Suddenly, a shot rings out--killing one of the men. At the funeral, Mannix shows up and talks to the man who was not shot during the golf game. It seems that the dead man had been working for him and had stolen some plans for a briefcase-size computer. The man had been extorting money out of the company for the plans and now that he's dead, the company is desperate to find the hidden instructions for the computer. Taking what little evidence he has, Mannix is able to piece together the dead man's secret life. The problem is, the same guy who killed the thief is also following Mannix--presumably to kill him once he locates the secret plans.

There was only one thing I didn't like about this episode. During the big fight near the end, Mannix is able to knock the rifle out of the killer's hands--and the killer runs. NEITHER guy tries to pick up the rifle!! Duh...pick it up and shoot him!!

Good Storytelling

[telegonus · 7/10 · 2 March 2021]

There's a good story in this 1972 Mannix episode. Babe In The Woods starts with a sniper watching a golf game from afar--with a rifle!--dude obviously has agenda. Any veteran watcher of TV detective series cam guess the likely outcome. Yes, he shoots one of the golfers, then departs. The shooter is at a distance that no one notices him;and he exits soon after.

The surviving golfer was well acquainted with murder victim, and was having money troubles with him, although his business dealings with him were legitimate enough, and by today's standards prophetic, as the man who was killed was working on plans for producing small, portable computers (near futuristic sci-fi for when the show aired, in 1972, sufficiently commonplace today to not raise the eyebrow of a five year old).

Joe Mannix comes into play as much as to find the plans that the dead man had in his possession as to find his killer. In this, the story, which becomes stories as the episode moves along, is interesting, as the various strands in the mystery comes together piece by pieces rather than all at once, and it's sometimes difficult for s more "linear minded" viewer (me, for instance) to keep track of the plot threads.

There are a lot of outdoor scenes in this one; and lots of chases; in cars and on foot. It's often difficult to determine what many supporting characters are up to; such as whether they're good guys (or gals) or bad ones. There's a lot to follow here, including corporate intrigue, the mysteries, two, really, not one, and more action than usual for a Mannix.

Overall, there's a well above average story in this series entry, which, if I have a problem with it, is that it's somewhat weak on character development, and in relationships generally. Joe Mannix is pretty much on his own in this one, which moves at a fast pace, and delivers the goods in the thrills and chills department. As to the reason for the title of the episode, well, there is a babe in the woods in it, of the adult female variety; and she's easy on the eyes if not absolutely necessary for understanding what's going on.

Never hire Joe if you have secrets

[Guad42 · 8/10 · 10 May 2021]

Another episode where the client who hires Joe has secrets to hide. This means two things - Joe will discover the truth and Joe won't get paid. Both things happen here.

This begins with James Luisi and Paul Stevens playing golf. Luisi gets shot by a sniper. You know Stevens is in on it as he kneels by the body to ensure the man is dead. If he knew nothing of the sniper, he would have jumped for cover.

Joe is given a bogus story by Stevens and he starts looking for computer plans, all the while followed by the sniper. He runs into the dead man's girlfriend, Melodie Johnson. Joe figures out he is being followed and ends up in a car chase that ends with a humorous encounter with a small town sheriff. Joe finally figures out where the plans are and also finds a letter. He knows Stevens is the bad guy and sets a trap. Like many a Mannix trap, it doesn't really work as another character intrudes and dies for the inconvenience. Joe gets the sniper and the case is solved.

A nice story with a good supporting cast. Look for Ed Begley Jr in a small role at the gym. Nita Talbot had a recurring role in Hogan's Heroes and James Luisi usually has larger roles, including a "bad guy" police lieutenant who gives James Garner a hard time on "Rockford Files".

It is kind of amazing how many of Joe's plans at the story's end go awry but things still work out. Except for the getting paid part, of course.

PLAY SOME GOLF, AND THEN DIE!

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 26 August 2022]

One thing for certain, this story was way ahead of its time with a master plan for putting a computer in a briefcase (future laptop?) --and this was 50 years ago.

Mannix is after the killer of a gentleman(?) who was shot while playing golf and conducting business on the sly. Yes, this was filmed at the sprawling Wilshire Country Club, long time watering hole for Hollywood's elite. You have to hand it to the writers, on occasion, for the most imaginative (yet scenic) ways to bump off somebody, even if they did deserve it.

Robert W. Lenski put together an excellent mystery, who also wrote many stories for BARNABY JONES. It turns out the victim was an extortionist and thief; the real catch are the secret plans for a briefcase computer. Quite an original idea at the time.

Keep you eye on Nita Talbot, one of the most versatile tv actresses. A former model, she won a contract with Warner Brothers at age 18 and played a wide variety of roles, especially smart-alecky types. Look for Ed Begley, Jr in an early role, following in the footsteps of his famous father, who died not too long before this episode.

Ward Wood (as Malcolm) is back, and more frequently as compared to previous seasons. Many familiar faces, such as James Luisi.

To note, the Wilshire Country Club is now over 100 years old, and at the time of filming, the famous bar was a Hollywood hangout and the crew probably took advantage of the fact for the holidays! First episode of 1972. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

SEASON 5 EPISODE 16 remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd box set.

Pretty good despite a dreadful performance by Melodie Johnson

[pkfloydmh · 7/10 · 12 September 2021]

This one is about a businessman who hires Joe to find some plans that his business partner created.

This is a good episode with an intriguing and well-written plot and some nice twists. It takes place mostly in a small town outside Los Angeles. Paul Stevens is solid as usual and of course is playing the villain as he always does. Nita Talbot makes her final appearance on the show.

The weak part of the episode is Melodie Johnson, who is just not a very good actor. She's wooden and speaks in a monotone and is so soft-spoken she's difficult to hear at times.

Ed Begley is really funny in his one scene as a club worker, and William Mims is equally funny as the sheriff. For the first time ever, we see a sheriff that is good-natured and doesn't try to run Joe out of town or threaten to throw him in jail on phony charges, although he did have a legitimate reckless driving charge against Joe and could have easily thrown him in jail for that, but yet he only gave him a ticket and LET HIM GO. Wow, talk about going against type. I mean, this guy absolutely destroys the stereotype this show has created for small-town sheriffs. Great job by the writers in avoiding the usual clichés and doing something different this time and also for adding some humor, which is a nice change of pace.

There's a really good and extended car chase in the middle of the episode and for the first time ever, the chase doesn't end with one of the cars crashing or going off a cliff but ends when Joe's car is stopped by the sheriff. There's a nice action scene at the end too.

I really liked the hit man character, Carl Loder. He is one mean dude and is well-played by Hampton Fancher but surprisingly his performance is uncredited even though he plays a substantial role.

There's a glaring oversight at the end as Martin IS NOT ARRESTED, despite hiring Loder to kill Quinn. Hard to believe this was overlooked by the producers.

Joe doesn't get slugged in the head but he does get shot at by the hit man.

The total body count is two.

So despite Melodie Johnson's poor performance, this is still a better than average episode, with very few clichés, a nice change of scenery and some humor.