There's a bit of a debate -- if this is REALLY the final episode of the series, all because Peggy (Gail Fisher) is not in it. As I had mentioned in the prior episode review, episodes were often switched and not necessarily aired in sequence. CBS may have put HARDBALL as the final because it's a winner. Hands down.
Credit Bill Bixby, who did some fine work on the show, both behind the camera and as an actor. He gets the most out of this crew, many playing drug dealers; a desperate hostage crisis that includes Joe and Art Malcolm -- getting shot and looking like he may not make it.
Old pro Albert Beich wrote this story, the man behind BURKES LAW and who wrote the classic Bette Davis thriller DEAD RINGER. William Windom, typically a tv good guy, plays George Kane, the top man behind a heroin racket. This is perhaps one of his best dramatic roles, making you wonder when is he gonna' get it??? We also get a glimpse of young John Ritter (as Cliff), who began his career (mostly in comedy) though playing some villains, and quite well. Actress Tina Andrews turns in an excellent performance as Edna, who not too long after this episode got herself into daytime soap operas. She also had a distinguished career as a historical playwright.
Two things to note. Yes, the Brady Bunch living room set is still alive and well here, long after the show went off the air. Additionally, as one reviewer noted, and I agree, we never find out what happened to Malcolm? He becomes one of the casualties in the hostage crisis, and although he's whisked away in an ambulance, there's no concrete conclusion either way. However, I will keep this as a 10 star episode because it owes up to its title.
Long time and famous bit actor Bob Harks plays a reporter on the scene on the familiar Paramount lot. Although this episode was aired in April, I remember it was early summer when the news came (I heard it on the radio) that the series was cancelled, and all of us Mannix fans were shocked, at least in my high school. But there's reruns, and still around after all these decades. Amazing.
Thanks, Mike Connors and Gail Fisher for a job well done. I didn't live too far away from Mike Connors who retired to Tarzana, CA and I always remember stories and photos of him, usually taken at the front door of his house with his wife, much older and grayer, but still Mannix all the way.
SEASON 8 EPISODE 24 CBS dvd box set.
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