Mannix (TV Series) Skid Marks on a Dry Run (1967) User Reviews

Another very tough episode of "Mannix"

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 8 April 2013]

I was never a fan of "Mannix" growing up simply because I was too young to watch the show or remember it very well. However, because it was produced by Bruce Geller (the who made "Mission: Impossible" such a great TV show), I thought it was worth seeing now that it's out on DVD.

"Skid Marks on a Dry Run" is the second episode of the series--appearing just after the pilot was aired back in 1967. It is a VERY unusual case--Adam Pierson (Charles Drake) wants a detective to search his background and determine if there's anything his enemies can use against him if he runs for office!

While this would make it sound like Pierson might be a very honest man, it turns out he isn't. In fact, he's a real bad man--and is a big-wig with the Syndicate! The problem is, now that Mannix has uncovered it, will Pierson let him live?! After all, everyone who talks to Mannix soon ends up dead!! While the plot of "Skis Marks on a Dry Run" may be awfully unbelievable, it is exciting and enjoyable to watch. It's also gritty and tough--very tough. In one scene, Mannix threatens to beat some info out of one woman and a moment later slugs her. Believe me, she DOES have it coming--but it's also something pretty shocking for 60s TV. I, for one, liked it--and loved the gritty almost film noir sort of edge to the story. Well worth seeing and it's nice to see that the second episode is almost as good as the first--and the first was terrific!

This Episode Mirrors Orson Welles's "Mr. Arkadin"

[TheFearmakers · 7/10 · 27 January 2017]

Good episode. Liked the way it flowed. Mike Connors' Mannix hired to check the background of a rich man so he's clear of being smeared by the press if he runs for office in the future. Turns out there's a twist, and it's right out of the maligned Film Noir by Orson Welles titled Mr Arkadin, same exact plot, almost, only the man who hired the investigator to search his past to protect his daughter is doing it to protect his wife, and to clean his name by... That's the plot and what happens int he episode, which shouldn't be too spoiled, but again, this is lifted right from what's considered one of OW's worst, and it's pretty good, it turns out. So I'd give this episode a 9 or 10 but have to deduct for originality reasons.

Inreresting fact-

[wise1too · 3 October 2017]

Great idea for a Mannix plot. So great that they used it again in 1973, in season 6. In the second version William Shatner is in the Charles Drake role. Almost a scene for scene re-make of this episode. Search For a Whisper is its title.Yvonne (Batgirl)_ Craig is also in the remake.

THE QUESTION I'M ABOUT TO ASK MAY KILL YOU?

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 20 December 2022]

I was always fascinated with the title of this episode, which is very well done. A solid job of directing by John Meredyth Lucas, producer and director for such shows as STAR TREK and the FUGITIVE.

Actually, this episode should have been the pilot because it begins a long running series theme; clients who lie, and a LOT. Subsequently, it all makes Mannix's job even more complicated, thus an excuse for all the goons with guns.

Veteran actor Charles Drake is perfect for the role as a no nonsense candidate for governor for the state of California who has a problem. Is there any dirt his rivals can dig up on him? Accordingly, he hires Joe to find out about his past and if there's a shred of anything? Anything? Strange thing is the more questions Joe asks about this guy -- people start turning up dead. Another series theme in the development stages is the more influential and wealthier Joe's clients are, the more they are hiding. Delicious, scandalous stuff to watch, kind of like a political PEYTON PLACE.

An exceptional cast with some surprising footnotes. Popular actress Marian McCargo, who plays Burke's wife, Mrs. Pierson, actually married a California congressman, Alfonzo Bell, a few years after this episode. He happened to be a friend of John Wayne who introduced him to his future wife. Fortunately, she had a long, happy marriage.

Vincent Gardenia is also in the cast as Eddie. Comedian Herbie Faye plays a victim and pretty Wende Wagner plays Miss Ellis, best known for her many appearances on the GREEN HORNET.

This intriguing plot was used again in SEASON 6 with William Shatner, though I think this is the better deal as Charles Drake plays this so well, thanks to director Lucas. Drake at the time appeared in VALLEY OF THE DOLLS and next, THE SWIMMER (1968). This was his only appearance on the show, and it's a shame, because you could see him in so many interesting parts.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 2. This particular episode (for some reason or another) has been also included in dvd box sets that feature assorted episodes from various cop shows. Not to be missed.

Nicely paced episode but don't think about it too much

[Guad42 · 6/10 · 24 June 2021]

As pointed out by others, this episode is repeated in season 6 almost verbatim. Not sure I have ever seen that before in a series. Anyway, a fast paced episode with action and Mannix showing distain for his company. A running theme for the first and only season he works for the corporation. Another theme in this second show that will run for the entire eight years is that Mannix has a client who lies to him from the get-go. We will see that about 100 more times.

Also written about by others is the holes in this plot. Why would a man who knows he is dirty hire the best detectives to find that out? Why would the Syndicate let him? Why would the Syndicate highlight the case by killing off people Mannix talks to? They have already told him all they know (and they don't know much). Mannix uses the cover of a magazine writer but it should have been obvious to the wife in their second meeting that Joe is not a writer but she doesn't catch on. Got to feel sorry for her. Joe punching the other woman was great!

The Syndicate then wants to kill Joe. They panic in a hurry. If they had just stayed out of it, everything might have worked out. Bad guys on Mannix never lay low and ride it out.

At least Joe gets a steady paycheck from his corporation. He needs the money to buy all those cigarettes he smokes in this episode.

From the penthouse to the ....

[boatsgilhooley · 5/10 · 7 March 2022]

After a great start to the series by Bruce Geller, John Meredyth Lucas writes a script which makes no sense whatsoever and leaves the viewer wondering how this story got the green light. Obviously the director (Lucas) thought it was great.

A gubernatorial candidate hires Intertect to dig up whatever dirt they can find on him to ease the mind of his wife. The client is lying (shock and surprise).

As Mannix says, "no one sets out bear traps unless there are bears around". The story features very little suspense mixed with four killings, two which make no sense.

Mannix has one cup of coffee. Black of course.

Smokes one cigarette and shows he's an accomplished pocket billiards player.

No car chases.

Two fights.

Mannix knocks one female cold.

Gene Rutherford is chilling as a sociopathic button man.

Vincent Gardenia is also very good in a minor role.

Mannix drives a 1967 Mercury Comet Cyclone ragtop (yawn).

Joe is offered a brandy or scotch. Takes a brandy.

Houndstooth coat courtesy of Petrocelli Clothes.

Four points for Rutherford as the smiling assassin. Three points for Mannix for the KO of the trigger happy female. Two points for Vincent Gardenia. Minus four points for an asinine script.

Silly plot; reasonably exciting show

[filmklassik · 5/10 · 4 February 2017]

A would-be gubernatorial candidate hires Intertect to see if there is anything in his own background his enemies could use against him should he decide to run.

Needless to say, there is. The guy, Joe discovers, is closely connected to the Mafia, and the Mafia -- looking to protect its own interests -- starts bumping off everyone who gives Joe even a scrap of information about the man.

Can you say ridiculous?

Why the Mob would allow this man to run for Governor in the first place is never actually made clear. And why they'd consent to a state-of-the-art detective agency looking for dirt on the guy -- when said dirt would wind up compromising their entire organization -- is never made clear either.

And is it merely a coincidence that the husband of one of the victims appears to be on a first-name basis with the man who's been sent to kill his wife? Is the husband part of the Mafia too?? This point, also, is never made clear.

Finally, the Mob seems willing to call undue attention to itself by murdering people who don't really know anything, such as the poor woman who once dated the candidate back in college, and the elderly pool hustler whose only knowledge of the candidate amounts to speculation that he may have "run some numbers" while a teenager in the slums. That's it.

Finally, they seem to think killing Mannix will somehow put a stop to the investigation rather than attract the attention of everyone at Intertect and more LAPD detectives than they can shake a stick at.

In short, the plot makes no sense whatsoever, but at least the absurdity moves along at a nice clip, and Connors, as ever, is a charismatic hero.