Mannix (TV Series) License to Kill - Limit Three People (1968) User Reviews

Really good.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 19 April 2013]

A supposedly homicidal maniac named Tate has been arrested for a triple murder. Not surprisingly, someone has paid the Intertech Detective Agency to prove he didn't commit the crimes. However, Tate escapes and you really aren't sure if he's out to commit more murders or to try to prove his innocence. In the middle of all this is Mannix--who just wants to figure out what's really happening!

This is a very good episode. The plot is very interesting and the acting generally quite good, though Karen Black's performance as the wife was a bit muted--her voice very soft and lacking emotion. But, despite this, a very rock-solid episode.

Intricate early Mannix ep

[belanger75 · 8/10 · 2 October 2019]

There Is a scene when Wickersham and Mannix are jogging while being surprised with simulated attacks. This is to see how much physical prowess they have and how good they are at self-defense. The main plot require all viewer's attention to follow it. Karen Black is sweet and sexy in her role!

Joe solves the case while smoking many cigarettes

[Guad42 · 8/10 · 12 April 2022]

This outing begins with a triple killing by an unknown assailant. The last killed is a cop. Escaped "madman" David Tate (Peter Haskell) is the prime suspect. The scene then switches to Intertect agents running an obstacle course with everyone wearing white and looking rather silly. Intertect doesn't want the case but Joe takes it anyway. He learns the police are out for blood from police Lt Bowers (Warren Kemmerling) in his only Mannix appearance. Joe talks to Tate's business partner Robert Harrigan (Wright King) while he is flying a plane while testing new gear. Joe visits John Burke (William O'Connell), a company officer, and learns where Tate's wife is. Joe goes to this secluded cabin after losing police tails. Elaine Tate (Karen Black) the wife of the supposed assassin is not too concerned about her husband and is flexible as to her company. While Mannix is there, several shots are fired at him and the wife. The police tails catch up to Joe and the attacker runs away. With directions from Burke, Joe tracks David Tate to a garage. Tate takes him prisoner and locks him in a cage. Joe gets out by using a cutting torch. He gets to a phone and finds out Burke is dead. He goes to the wife and Hartigan shows up. Then Tate makes an appearance. Tate knows that Hartigan and the wife set him up to take over his company. Hartigan runs for it. Tate chases him and Joe chases Tate. The four people end up in the woods and Hartigan confesses to the murders at gunpoint. He tells them where to find the murder gun. (After an odd marksmanship demonstration.) The next scene is at Intertect with the wrap up.

The cast is good. Haskell is making the first of three appearances. O'Connell is slightly creepy and is a favorite of Clint Eastwood. He is the barber in "High Plains Drifter" among other Eastwood movies. Karen Black had a busy career of over 50 years with an Oscar nomination. Wright King would have been the replacement for Steve McQueen on Wanted Dead or Alive and did several shows with McQueen but the plan changed and the show was cancelled when McQueen left.

The obstacle course scenes are out of place and detract from the mood established with the three killings. The plane with blacked out windows wouldn't happen. Any pilot visual restriction device is required to be easily removed in case of emergency. One of the few episodes where someone other than Joe does the fancy shooting. I like how Joe ditches the police tails.

A good outing. Do see it.

"A" FOR ORIGINALITY WITH THAT TITLE!

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 7 January 2023]

Credit Lee Erwin who wrote this dizzying episode, and too bad he didn't do another. Lee wrote many adventure stories for such shows as SEA HUNT and the western series LARAMIE. Also associated with PEYTON PLACE.

By this stage in the series, you get the feel that Joe Mannix belongs on his own, not answering to anybody, and this is the perfect case. He's on the trail of an armed maniac who has killed at least three people. This story blasts off and will definitely hold your attention, also credit some excellent acting.

I agree with the last reviewer that Joe smokes a lot... However, Mike Connors long said that MANNIX was actually a contemporary noir detective, much in the spirit of Humphrey Bogart. Did Bogey smoke? In a way, a tribute to Humphrey Bogart, only Joe Mannix never really did find his Lauren Bacall, right? There's only one. And I think the series was always searching for her, although I personally think Diana Muldaur came close. You have to admit, most of the great 70s tv detectives were lone wolves, and perhaps best for it. It sure opened up lots of spots for some truly talented actresses.

Peter Haskall guest stars, and may be a red herring here, but he's fun to watch. Haskell came from the smooth line of villains, who was also later in soap operas. This was an early co-starring role for Karen Black (as Elaine), and a brief love interest for Joe. Shortly after this episode Black landed a small role in EASY RIDER. She eventually became one of the busiest actresses in Hollywood, and an inspiration to many young actors with her constructive comments about acting and acting schools.

We also get a glimpse of Hollywood tv newsman Clete Roberts, who at the time was anchoring "The Big News", but occasionally appeared (generally as himself) in tv shows and movies, particularly noted for his appearances on M. A. S. H.

Hang tight on this one and love the remote scenery. Haskall's hideaway is a cabin on Franklin Canyon Drive, about 4 miles north from the legendary Greystone Mansion. This popular site would be used many times on MANNIX, also BARNABY JONES and CHARLIES ANGELS. Back in the 50s, it was also a pit stop for HIGHWAY PATROL with Broderick Crawford. That's why they call is Beverly HILLS, because of the endless hills. Same story with Griffith Park.

10 STARS. SEASON 1 EPISODE 16 remastered CBS dvd box set.