I disagree with the other reviews. I liked this episode. I think it was intended to keep the viewers guessing right along with Mannix, and it accomplishes that goal.
8 Reviews
Decent plot, interesting twists
osejr16 February 2021
A PACKAGE FROM A DEAD LADY?
tcchelsey2 May 2023
I agree with the last reviewer, top writer Stephen Kandel wrote this story to keep you guessing. And you WILL keep guessing. You have to admit, the story is quite original when Joe receives a mysterious package from a lady --posing as another woman who was killed.
Needless to say, that package comes with a lot of bruises. True, the storyline is confusing, but it has its moments, all about a young woman who is killed in a hit and run due to the fact that her husband (played by Jan Murray) has ties to the mob. Murray, actually a comedian and tv game show host, played some fine dramatic roles in his career and is quite good as Tony.
Julie Gregg plays Janet, and the one to watch. She became a cult figure in BATMAN, both the movie and in tv appearances and played Sandra Corleone in THE GODFATHER. Big bad guy John Vernon, this time plays the police chief --who gets socked by Joe!
If you are keeping score, the sprawling mansion setting is the famous Sargent House, later used as Jonathan Hart's homestead in HART TO HART. Best action scene is Joe and Janet being surprised and surrounded by the goons at the ranch house. This is CLASSIC Mannix all the way. Director Paul Krasny did an excellent job with this scene. The big question is did they do this in one take. Writer Stephen Kandel (who passed at age 96 in 2023) wrote 11 episodes for this series and 10 for CANNON.
10 Stars. Great dialogue, especially between Joe and the chief Vernon.
SEASON 4 EPISODE 23, nearing the end of he season. Remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd box set.
Needless to say, that package comes with a lot of bruises. True, the storyline is confusing, but it has its moments, all about a young woman who is killed in a hit and run due to the fact that her husband (played by Jan Murray) has ties to the mob. Murray, actually a comedian and tv game show host, played some fine dramatic roles in his career and is quite good as Tony.
Julie Gregg plays Janet, and the one to watch. She became a cult figure in BATMAN, both the movie and in tv appearances and played Sandra Corleone in THE GODFATHER. Big bad guy John Vernon, this time plays the police chief --who gets socked by Joe!
If you are keeping score, the sprawling mansion setting is the famous Sargent House, later used as Jonathan Hart's homestead in HART TO HART. Best action scene is Joe and Janet being surprised and surrounded by the goons at the ranch house. This is CLASSIC Mannix all the way. Director Paul Krasny did an excellent job with this scene. The big question is did they do this in one take. Writer Stephen Kandel (who passed at age 96 in 2023) wrote 11 episodes for this series and 10 for CANNON.
10 Stars. Great dialogue, especially between Joe and the chief Vernon.
SEASON 4 EPISODE 23, nearing the end of he season. Remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd box set.
Not outstanding...
planktonrules12 November 2014
"Shadow Play" is a not particularly outstanding episode of "Mannix"--but it also has its moments. The biggest problem is the writing--a lot of the show just doesn't make a lot of sense.
The show begins with Mannix arriving in town at the airport. There a woman identifying herself as Lynn Sargent pays Mannix a whole lot of money to deliver a package. This is awfully suspicious but even more suspicious is how she is acting--and the woman soon bolts. Behind her are two thugs who immediately set upon Mannix, as they want the package...or else. Well, Mannix isn't about to give in and they have a dandy fight--and Mannix more than holds his own. When the police show up, the thugs run.
When Mannix is interviewed by the police chief, he learns some interesting things. First, Lynn Sargent is dead...killed a month earlier by some hit and run driver. Second, the package turns out to be a phony--just stuffed with paper! What's next? See the show.
The biggest problem isn't the set-up which I mentioned above. This is interesting. However, how it all plays out just doesn't make a lot of sense--who the lady really is, her actions, the actions of Mr. Sargent (in particular) all made me a bit confused and the story seemed hastily assembled. Worth seeing but a bit of a let down.
The show begins with Mannix arriving in town at the airport. There a woman identifying herself as Lynn Sargent pays Mannix a whole lot of money to deliver a package. This is awfully suspicious but even more suspicious is how she is acting--and the woman soon bolts. Behind her are two thugs who immediately set upon Mannix, as they want the package...or else. Well, Mannix isn't about to give in and they have a dandy fight--and Mannix more than holds his own. When the police show up, the thugs run.
When Mannix is interviewed by the police chief, he learns some interesting things. First, Lynn Sargent is dead...killed a month earlier by some hit and run driver. Second, the package turns out to be a phony--just stuffed with paper! What's next? See the show.
The biggest problem isn't the set-up which I mentioned above. This is interesting. However, how it all plays out just doesn't make a lot of sense--who the lady really is, her actions, the actions of Mr. Sargent (in particular) all made me a bit confused and the story seemed hastily assembled. Worth seeing but a bit of a let down.
Yes confusing and strange
movies-10923 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
But look out for Paul Mantee - the original Big Doug Thug. Actually not the first, the first was in the very first episode and Joe can be seen punching him in the opening credits.
Mantee has a total of 8 Mannix appearances, including "Tommy Gantt" the guy who the psycho karate guy blows up in the first episode of the season. But Mantee is best known as the lone astronaut stranded on Mars, sharing oxygen with a monkey while his unmanned ship screams overhead every few minutes. Robinson Crusoe on Mars, of course he's not Robinson Crusoe. He isn't alone in the beginning but Batman his companion dies early on.
This episode has the thug squad on Mannix in the cold open. It's fun just because Mannix is always fun. But definitely a 2nd or 3rd tier episode.
Mantee has a total of 8 Mannix appearances, including "Tommy Gantt" the guy who the psycho karate guy blows up in the first episode of the season. But Mantee is best known as the lone astronaut stranded on Mars, sharing oxygen with a monkey while his unmanned ship screams overhead every few minutes. Robinson Crusoe on Mars, of course he's not Robinson Crusoe. He isn't alone in the beginning but Batman his companion dies early on.
This episode has the thug squad on Mannix in the cold open. It's fun just because Mannix is always fun. But definitely a 2nd or 3rd tier episode.
Convoluted, nonsensical, dumb, and full of plot holes, contradictions and cliches
pkfloydmh19 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This one is about a woman who hires Joe to deliver a package to LAPD.
There are so many plot holes it's staggering. How did the two thugs know Joe and his client were going to meet in the airport? Why didn't the woman just go to the police instead of hiring Joe? And why in the world would she tell syndicate hoods that she has information on them and to come to her house so she can share it with them and GIVES THEM THE LOCATION OF THE HOUSE? Talk about stupid. Equally stupid is how Tony just confesses to being in the mob and how Belden confesses to murder in front of everyone. Totally unrealistic and ridiculous. And I've only scratched the surface - there are many more plot holes and unanswered questions but it would take forever to go through them and frankly this episode simply isn't worth the time.
It's totally predictable all along who the killer is because there's no one else it could be and also because John Vernon ALWAYS plays villains, so there's no mystery or suspense here, but just a lot of talking and confessing and Joe and his client getting shot at.
Much of the episode is spent at the Sargent house where, as mentioned, Joe and his client get shot at (but never hit of course) and wait for the pending arrival of Tony, but for what reason I have no idea. So he can drop by and admit he's in the mob? All of it is really dumb and doesn't make any sense. Then Joe's client contradicts herself several times by alternating between having proof of Tony's syndicate ties and not having proof. So does she have the proof or not? Beats me.
This is yet another episode with a small town sheriff who is nasty and corrupt. I am SO TIRED of this cliche.
As mentioned, Joe gets shot at numerous times but is never hit, which is another overused cliche.
There are some good fight scenes so I'll give it a few points for that, but everything else is garbage.
There are so many plot holes it's staggering. How did the two thugs know Joe and his client were going to meet in the airport? Why didn't the woman just go to the police instead of hiring Joe? And why in the world would she tell syndicate hoods that she has information on them and to come to her house so she can share it with them and GIVES THEM THE LOCATION OF THE HOUSE? Talk about stupid. Equally stupid is how Tony just confesses to being in the mob and how Belden confesses to murder in front of everyone. Totally unrealistic and ridiculous. And I've only scratched the surface - there are many more plot holes and unanswered questions but it would take forever to go through them and frankly this episode simply isn't worth the time.
It's totally predictable all along who the killer is because there's no one else it could be and also because John Vernon ALWAYS plays villains, so there's no mystery or suspense here, but just a lot of talking and confessing and Joe and his client getting shot at.
Much of the episode is spent at the Sargent house where, as mentioned, Joe and his client get shot at (but never hit of course) and wait for the pending arrival of Tony, but for what reason I have no idea. So he can drop by and admit he's in the mob? All of it is really dumb and doesn't make any sense. Then Joe's client contradicts herself several times by alternating between having proof of Tony's syndicate ties and not having proof. So does she have the proof or not? Beats me.
This is yet another episode with a small town sheriff who is nasty and corrupt. I am SO TIRED of this cliche.
As mentioned, Joe gets shot at numerous times but is never hit, which is another overused cliche.
There are some good fight scenes so I'll give it a few points for that, but everything else is garbage.
Average
Guad424 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The plot has been covered by other reviewers so a few comments. You know John Vernon is a bad guy using the "guest star rule". That rule states John Vernon is one of those guest stars who is always a bad guy. (Jason Evers and Clu Gulager also fall into that subset.) Vernon will be bad in his next two Mannix appearances also so will be three for three in the badness category. Mannix is known for its plot twists so should have an outing where Vernon was not the bad guy. The one twist I didn't see coming was the husband (Jan Murray) being a good guy in the end. Well done.
As others have stated, the action around the house is convoluted. Fist fights, rifle grabs and various plans going astray add up to the bad guys almost turning into the gang that couldn't shoot straight. Joe has a rifle on several occasions and never once uses it. It is a rifle, Joe! Shoot the damn thing!
When you think about it, the sister Janet Kirby (Julie Gregg) did Joe dirty. She knowingly lures him into trap to get the bad guys to react. She gives him a check that she knows is worthless. She leaves him to fight it out by himself at the airport. Let's say the bad guys don't show up and Joe goes back to LA and gives the cops the package. They open it and find blank paper and Joe looks like a fool. Then the check bounces and Joe comes under suspicion for that. Joe is a little more forgiving of her than I would have been.
A couple of Mannix tropes on display here. Once again, men with rifles can't hit the broad side of a barn. It is explained early in the story as nobody is supposed to get hurt but that doesn't account for all the bad shooting. Joe is still the best pistol shot in the world. This outing might have the most fist fights of any Mannix episodes so plenty of action.
The acting is fine, but nobody stands out. Julie Gregg is pretty and Vernon can do villain standing on his head. The henchmen are suitably dimwitted. Why wasn't Charlie Picerni one of them?
An intriguing premise with a weak follow-through makes this a mediocre episode. Joe takes some punches and not sure he got paid. He should definitely bill the sister. How many Mannix episodes have "Shadow" in the title? I'm not interested enough to count them, but it seems like several. You can see this or not. Either way will be okay.
As others have stated, the action around the house is convoluted. Fist fights, rifle grabs and various plans going astray add up to the bad guys almost turning into the gang that couldn't shoot straight. Joe has a rifle on several occasions and never once uses it. It is a rifle, Joe! Shoot the damn thing!
When you think about it, the sister Janet Kirby (Julie Gregg) did Joe dirty. She knowingly lures him into trap to get the bad guys to react. She gives him a check that she knows is worthless. She leaves him to fight it out by himself at the airport. Let's say the bad guys don't show up and Joe goes back to LA and gives the cops the package. They open it and find blank paper and Joe looks like a fool. Then the check bounces and Joe comes under suspicion for that. Joe is a little more forgiving of her than I would have been.
A couple of Mannix tropes on display here. Once again, men with rifles can't hit the broad side of a barn. It is explained early in the story as nobody is supposed to get hurt but that doesn't account for all the bad shooting. Joe is still the best pistol shot in the world. This outing might have the most fist fights of any Mannix episodes so plenty of action.
The acting is fine, but nobody stands out. Julie Gregg is pretty and Vernon can do villain standing on his head. The henchmen are suitably dimwitted. Why wasn't Charlie Picerni one of them?
An intriguing premise with a weak follow-through makes this a mediocre episode. Joe takes some punches and not sure he got paid. He should definitely bill the sister. How many Mannix episodes have "Shadow" in the title? I'm not interested enough to count them, but it seems like several. You can see this or not. Either way will be okay.
Goes too far stupid in last section
steelblue5513 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This has to be the worst episode yet. Planktonrules makes some good points about how the main plot is confusing and doesn't make sense if you stop to think about what most of the main characters have done. "Let's put in a twist here, who cares if it makes sense...." But the worst part was the fighting and strategy at the last 1/4 of the show. Granted they stretch things here and there for action most of the time, but it was just stupid. Two "pros" are out to get Mannix and the client and they have rifles...he has the old snub nose revolver. So he manages to sneak out, and then get way behind one of the bad guys. So... he runs at him from behind with his gun in his pocket? All while yelling to protect the girl? Of course he punches the guy out, but come on. Then he takes the rifle and goes in the house again. At this point he has a good standoff, but somehow the rifle vanishes, the bad guys get in the house, only to be hit with a mattress... and lose another rifle. After the double cross, they are back at it again, Mannix punches one and grabs the rifle again... only to run away. He could shoot both the bad guys... he could easily use the gun and club one of them... but he runs away. Then in the next showdown they only have pistols again and he doesn't use the rifle, we don't even see it. Not to worry, he does shoot a pistol but only after another fist fight.
Anyone trying to stay alive would not make any of the stupid moves he did. If they want more action add a car chase, but don't make him act like a moron....
Anyone trying to stay alive would not make any of the stupid moves he did. If they want more action add a car chase, but don't make him act like a moron....
Lovely Julie Gregg but weak plot
george_cherucheril5 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Shadow Play is an another Mannix episode featuring good actors, a pretty woman who Mannix fails to hook up with and a ridiculous plot. I give this five out of 10 stars.
The late Julie Gregg is perfect as Janet Kirby. In 1971 Gregg was a total knockout and a good actress. For me she falls under the woman for whom I would travel back in time to meet. She lived to an old age dying in 2016. While hiding out in a house from the bad guys, Mannix stands in front of the lovely Janet covering her with his arms, lucky Mike Connors!
John Vernon and Jan Murray are good actors who provide great support in their roles. Paul Mantee is also good as the resident bad guy.
The plot is crazy. Janet is trying to get to the bottom of her sister's accidental death which she believes was murder stemming from some shady mob business dealings of her husband Tony Sargent played by Murray. She asks Mannix to fly into town and meet her at the airport. When he arrives she is wearing a blonde wig and hands Mannix a package and a check for $1,000 forging her dead sister's name. She flees when two thugs armed with guns approach. They get into a fist fight with Mannix and then run off when the police arrive. Of course the police fail to chase them. The police take Mannix in for questioning.
I would have preferred Mannix and Janet being able to meet somewhere safe for their first meeting. Mannix had every right to be bad at Janet for setting him up with the check and package. Maybe back in 1971 you could carry a gun into the airport but even then it is stupid to grab someone in a public place because it attracts too much attention. The police chief later opens the package to find a bunch of cut up blank paper.
Mannix and Janet decide to go to her dead sister's empty house to find evidence. This is stupid because they are walking into a trap. After being accosted at the airport, Mannix should know the bad guys will follow him to the house. This house is secluded in the country. The thugs steel Janet's car and have Mannix and Janet cornered in the house. They should have planted another thug in the house before Mannix and Janet arrived. Either way, there is no way Mannix could escape from that situation.
Of course Mannix is able to sneak outside and come up from behind the thug without a gun in his hand, tackle the thug, knock him out and take his gun. Later, when the John Vernon who is the corrupt Chief Belden shows up he takes charge and regains control of the situation. The two thugs have Mannix and Janet covered with guns. Vernon walks to his patrol car to bring the car closer to the house. Just then a helicopter flies over and of course the two thugs are stupid enough to look up and be distracted giving Mannix enough time to slug them, take their guns and disappear into the house with Janet. Belden should have shot the two thugs for being incompetent.
As it turns out Sargent pretends to be on Belden's side. He is calling the shots and gets in with one of the thugs who Mannix ends up knocking out again with heavy piece of furniture down the staircase which knocks him out. At this point Sargent reveals he loved his wife and did not want her killed. He believes she was killed but wants to find the killer. He admits to his shady business dealings with the mob but never wanted his wife killed. He hatches a plan with Mannix.
He calls Belden and thug two into the house. Mannix starts talking and lays out how Belden is the killer. Incredibly Belden confesses to being the killer. Sargent is enraged and takes a shot at Belden but misses and kills thug 2. Belden escapes from the house and Mannix once again without a gun is able to tackle Belden from behind, knock him out and get his gun. This is unrealistic and stupid. Mannix and Janet were sitting ducks in that house and would have no chance for escape. This is why Mannix should have known better than to go to the house.
The episode ends with Janet escorting her injured, now good guy brother-in-law Sargent out of the house and walking up to Mannix. Once again, Mannix risked life and limb to save the day but he fails to win the girl's heart!
The late Julie Gregg is perfect as Janet Kirby. In 1971 Gregg was a total knockout and a good actress. For me she falls under the woman for whom I would travel back in time to meet. She lived to an old age dying in 2016. While hiding out in a house from the bad guys, Mannix stands in front of the lovely Janet covering her with his arms, lucky Mike Connors!
John Vernon and Jan Murray are good actors who provide great support in their roles. Paul Mantee is also good as the resident bad guy.
The plot is crazy. Janet is trying to get to the bottom of her sister's accidental death which she believes was murder stemming from some shady mob business dealings of her husband Tony Sargent played by Murray. She asks Mannix to fly into town and meet her at the airport. When he arrives she is wearing a blonde wig and hands Mannix a package and a check for $1,000 forging her dead sister's name. She flees when two thugs armed with guns approach. They get into a fist fight with Mannix and then run off when the police arrive. Of course the police fail to chase them. The police take Mannix in for questioning.
I would have preferred Mannix and Janet being able to meet somewhere safe for their first meeting. Mannix had every right to be bad at Janet for setting him up with the check and package. Maybe back in 1971 you could carry a gun into the airport but even then it is stupid to grab someone in a public place because it attracts too much attention. The police chief later opens the package to find a bunch of cut up blank paper.
Mannix and Janet decide to go to her dead sister's empty house to find evidence. This is stupid because they are walking into a trap. After being accosted at the airport, Mannix should know the bad guys will follow him to the house. This house is secluded in the country. The thugs steel Janet's car and have Mannix and Janet cornered in the house. They should have planted another thug in the house before Mannix and Janet arrived. Either way, there is no way Mannix could escape from that situation.
Of course Mannix is able to sneak outside and come up from behind the thug without a gun in his hand, tackle the thug, knock him out and take his gun. Later, when the John Vernon who is the corrupt Chief Belden shows up he takes charge and regains control of the situation. The two thugs have Mannix and Janet covered with guns. Vernon walks to his patrol car to bring the car closer to the house. Just then a helicopter flies over and of course the two thugs are stupid enough to look up and be distracted giving Mannix enough time to slug them, take their guns and disappear into the house with Janet. Belden should have shot the two thugs for being incompetent.
As it turns out Sargent pretends to be on Belden's side. He is calling the shots and gets in with one of the thugs who Mannix ends up knocking out again with heavy piece of furniture down the staircase which knocks him out. At this point Sargent reveals he loved his wife and did not want her killed. He believes she was killed but wants to find the killer. He admits to his shady business dealings with the mob but never wanted his wife killed. He hatches a plan with Mannix.
He calls Belden and thug two into the house. Mannix starts talking and lays out how Belden is the killer. Incredibly Belden confesses to being the killer. Sargent is enraged and takes a shot at Belden but misses and kills thug 2. Belden escapes from the house and Mannix once again without a gun is able to tackle Belden from behind, knock him out and get his gun. This is unrealistic and stupid. Mannix and Janet were sitting ducks in that house and would have no chance for escape. This is why Mannix should have known better than to go to the house.
The episode ends with Janet escorting her injured, now good guy brother-in-law Sargent out of the house and walking up to Mannix. Once again, Mannix risked life and limb to save the day but he fails to win the girl's heart!
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
