Mannix (TV Series) The Playground (1969) User Reviews

Wow....Robert Conrad really plays a HUGE jerk in this episode! Such a big jerk that you wonder who WOULDN'T wan to kill him?!

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 23 October 2013]

Robert Conrad is the guest star in this episode of "Mannix" and unlike the usual guest stars, he completely upstages everyone. Now I am NOT saying it's because he overacted but because his character is a bigger than life jerk--a guy you just love to hate! And, wow, does he play him with a gusto!!

The show begins with an attempt on Mitch Cantrell's life. Mitch (Conrad) was apparently the object of the attempt yet, inexplicably, he seems completely unconcerned. So it's obvious HE didn't hire Joe Mannix to investigate. However, the studio doesn't want to lose their big star and they pay the the investigation--though considering how difficult Cantrell is, you really wonder why they bother! It's because Cantrell is so self-absorbed and awful, you'd think they'd WANT him to die. In fact, EVERYONE in this film hates the guy, and so it's tough for Mannix to solve a case where EVERYONE could easily be the assailant!

I really liked this episode--and it's one of the best of the series. In addition to a neat plot, the characters are fascinating and the twists quite satisfying. Well worth your time....and a case that Mannix probably DIDN'T want to solve!

Best lines from the show:

Mannix: "You're losing friends, Mitch"

Cantrell: "I'll buy a bushel more!"

Great episode, but beware syndication cuts

[jivers01 · 8/10 · 10 March 2016]

One of the best episodes thanks to a lively story, fun Hollywood studio setting, and Robert Conrad as self-centered, macho jerk Mitch Cantrell. That any fan of the series would enjoy this one is a given. Am only writing this to point out two things.

First up is Conrad's full-on performance as an unsympathetic, swaggering creep that appears to be an unflattering portrait of himself. This was done shortly after his CBS series "The Wild Wild West" ended. Conrad was known for doing dangerous stunts and using his star power to influence the series. He and his stunt-men pals more or less dictated the direction of the show. Mitch Cantrell is a fearless star of a Western show/film (we see him shooting a scene), hangs out with his stunt-men buddies, and acts like he owns the studio. Cantrell, like Conrad, is also from Chicago -- which leads to our second point.

Cantrell often visits the "Chicago Street" on the fictional Majestic Studios (Paramount) lot because it reminds him of his hard-scrabble childhood. A key scene between him and Mannix has been unwisely trimmed down for syndication (recently by Heroes & Icons and probably other networks). The truncated version just shows Cantrell starting to talk about his past then abruptly ends with him staring at an alley across the way with no explanation. In the original uncut version he recalls being chased by a street gang and hiding in an alley, scared out of his wits. This was the turning point where he decided to rise above his fears to the point of being a reckless, selfish jerk. Without this dialog, his breakdown in the finale -- cowering in the alley -- comes out of nowhere and makes no sense. Too bad the need to shoehorn in more commercials gutted this episode, robbing it of any meaning. (Thanks, Heroes & Icons -- you suck.)

Robert Conrad plays... himself!

[Guad42 · 7/10 · 3 September 2021]

The plot has been covered so a few observations. Robert Conrad plays a character very near to his real self if stories about him are to be believed. He was a good actor and seems to have starred in about a thousand series so he had that going for him. One nice touch in this episode is he is unredeemed at the end. So many of these types of plots have the jerk seeing the light by the end of the story and becoming a good guy but not here. I like that. Leslie Parrish is great here but she is always great (except in the Giant Spider Invasion movie). I can't imagine any man throwing her over. Ben Cooper made a career out of guest star work and he is fine here. An earlier reviewer brought up plot holes and they are there but it is still a good episode overall. Joe gets paid! Always a good thing.

WHO WANTS TO KILL THE EGOMANIAC STAR?

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 2 June 2022]

Fresh from THE WILD, WILD WEST, Robert Conrad guest starred in this adventure (his only appearance). Conrad was an excellent actor and a semi-stuntman to his credit. He also was a pitchman to network executives, always coming up with ideas for new shows. You had to give him credit.

Here he plays your atypical Hollywood egotistical actor, called Mitch Cantrell, stalked by an unknown killer. Mannix steps into the action, trying to convince him that this threat is very real and his glory days may be numbered. Conrad is the whole show in an over the top role that must have been fun to play. He played a similar character a few years later on COLUMBO, as the head of a health and fitness company, only this time he was the clever killer.

Series director Paul Krasny, who directed 28 episodes, gets the right stuff from the entire cast. This will keep you guessing as to who wants Mitch dead. The fictional movie studio scenes were filmed right on the Paramount lot, giving you a neat behind the scenes tour of sorts. Also note the Paramount western ranch sets. It was also a clever way for Paramount to save a lot of money, ya think? The tv unit was apparently on a super tight budget, and it really showed sometimes.

Former model Leslie Parrish also guest stars, who would return to the series a few more times. All purpose character actor Bill Irwin has a small part as a prop man. Irwin was at his best in later years, playing obnoxious old men. A memorable actor.

Great late night fistacuffs, and Robert Conrad may be doing his own stunts.

SEASON 3 EPISODE 4. Remastered CBS dvd box set.

Very interesting episode

[glitterrose · 10/10 · 2 June 2022]

I'd made reference to this episode in another review and said you were kinda rooting for Robert Conrad's character to die because the guy is such a gigantic jerk!! I'd use a different word but I doubt the review would go through. You want a character to flat out dislike? Mitch has you covered!

This is an episode that could've went any way because surely all the characters 'Mitch' comes in contact with probably want to kill him. Even if you're getting paid well to be buddies with him, you probably still go home and gripe to yourself that there's got to be an easier way to make money than this.

A couple of characters have their past with Mitch exposed. A young lady knows the deal about Mitch ditching his ladies and passing them down the line once he's sick of them. It's revealed she tried to shoot him. Another character had a wife that committed suicide because of Mitch. Needless to say, this guy's the one gunning for Mitch. Understandable. I know how hatred can eat a person alive.

All in all, thankfully this episode is MUCH better than the last one. Excellent writing and performances in this episode. Definitely singling Robert Conrad out with that snippet. He nailed this part.

Watch full version

[kajepap · 9/10 · 2 June 2022]

Search - Mannix The Playground - and you will find a full version of this episode on Daily Motion. This version has the full alley scene one of the other reviewers mentioned that has been cut out of the version shown on ME TV and others. It starts at 35:00 and fills in the mentality and driving force behind Robert Conrad's character in the episode.

Video

[marsnook2007 · 10/10 · 10 March 2020]

Is there a video of a full episode of this would like to see this because it sounds fantastic. Just like to mention everyone who thinks Robert Conrad wears a Toupee is wrong it's all his own hair.

Great Mannix Episode

[januszlvii · 10/10 · 4 August 2023]

The Playground was a great Mannix episode, and one of the best of the series. There is a lot to it, especially Robert Conrad as Mitch an egotistical Hollywood actor, who is the client that Joe has to protect. Another great performance is Leslie Parrish as Mona, one of a number of people that Mitch hurt down through the years. One such person was Pete who was Mitch's best friend but whose wife committed suicide because of Mitch. It is fascinating seeing the conversations between Tough guy Conrad and tough guy Mike Connors ( Mannix), especially where Mitch admits why he has no fear of anything ( I saw this uncut on Amazon). I think he told him because although he would never admit it, he had a respect for Mannix who saved his life. What is interesting is although Mitch was saved, he really did not learn his lesson and change. But despite that, there was a happy ending. Spoilers ahead: Mona who was always mistreated by Mitch and never walked away, got up the courage to finally leave.and when she was walking away he said "Good Luck" she said I'll need it." He said "Your a girl with tremendous willpower." Mannix did not like Mitch and he was even dissatisfied with the producer Rudy who hired him, but Mona was able to gain his respect. Great episode and great jobs by Conrad, Parrish and as usual Connors.

A silly and predictable episode that is flawed right from the beginning and has numerous plot holes

[pkfloydmh · 3/10 · 18 July 2021]

This is about a movie star that someone is trying to kill.

There's no suspense in this one because it's VERY obvious who is trying to kill Mitch. It's also fundamentally flawed from the very first scene, where someone tries to kill Pete, but yet he was later revealed to be the person who was trying to kill Mitch, so who was trying to kill Pete??? This was never explained or followed up on, which means this episode is a lost cause. There was also no reason for anyone to kill Bud, so why was he killed??? Doesn't make any sense. This was also never explained or followed up on, so there were loose ends left dangling everywhere in this one.

And how was Joe able to magically deduce that there were live bullets in the rifle? Just ridiculous.

The scene where Mitch races through the studio lot on the dune buggy is really good, and so is Leslie Parrish's performance as Mona, but those are the only reasons to see this one.