Of course, Joe would eventually become the 70s Dodge Charger detective for all of us muscle car conscience teens.
The story behind Mike Connors and MANNIX is very interesting. Although Mike starred in the short-lived tv series, TIGHTROPE, in the late 50s, playing an undercover special agent... it was a Dino DeLaurentis film for Columbia Pictures, called KISS THE GIRLS AND MAKE THEM DIE (1966) that sealed the deal. Connors played Kelly, a sort of James Bond-ish hero. It was over the top stuff, and critics weren't that crazy about it, but Mike was good and did stunt work. Hmmm?
Acclaimed producer and writer Bruce Geller, who had recently launched MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, was developing a new two fisted tv detective. MANNIX was born and Mike Connors got the job. In the begining, Geller had Joe caught up in the early
high tech computer age with a boss who spies on him via hidden cams?? Super security was the password.
Joe Campanella (as Wickersham) I always thought played kind of a cool character, HOWEVER, he definitely cramped trail blazer Joe's style --and one thing that Mannix did not need was a boss, nor someone looking over his shoulder.
It nevertheless is interesting to see the series' early years, and especially with a slightly younger Mike Conners, ready for a smack down. According to Connors, he actually broke his wrist in a fall
(which was concealed for the rest of the shoot), what you call on the job training for a graduate from the private eye school of hard knocks.
In this pilot episode, Lloyd Nolan plays a retired mob boss (living the good life on the golf course in Palm Springs) who hires Wickersham who hires Joe (get it?) to find his daughter, who has been kidnapped. Good writing (especially by Bruce Geller) and excellent acting turn this one into a fabulous mystery with lots of twists and the entrance of goons (we love to hate) replete with guns, knives, brass knuckles, poison drinks, bombs etc. Etc... all bent on eliminating Joe for the next eight seasons. OMG.
Veteran actress Kim Hunter is excellent, playing Nolan's wife. Hunter would go on to appear in many cop shows in the 70s, though she is probably best remembered during this period in her career for the PLANET OF THE APES series. Watch the last scene with her and Nolan, as its pure Hollywood noir. Never to forget Lloyd Nolan in the camp classic, LADY IN THE LAKE (1946).
Also look for Joe Colicos (as Eddie) who made many appearances on the show as a tough hombre, likewise on MISSION IMPOSSIBLE.
A cool time capsule that has to be watched to see how it all began with shades (if you are a tv detective buff) of PETER GUNN and M. I., quite naturally.
This episode was nominated for an Emmy, but did not win. More nominations for best tv crime show came in the early 70s, but the show lost, much the same fate as CANNON. That had everyone in Hollywood scratching their heads, though both shows were (you have to admit) criticized for excessive violence. Remember all those school auditorium lectures? But didn't us kids love it.
To note, Bruce Geller did not live to see his outstanding work in endless reruns, having died a few years after Mannix closed, lost in a tragic plane crash at Santa Barbara in 1978. The same for acclaimed producer, director and writer Barry Crane, who was murdered. They are not forgotten.
Shop around for the dvd box set as prices vary, though you can get SEASON 1 at a fairly reasonable price, even slightly used. It's classic stuff.