Mannix (TV Series) To Save a Dead Man (1971) User Reviews

Someone has already plead guilty for murder...so how can Mannix STILL have a case?

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 27 January 2015]

This episode begins with a drunk having an accident. He crawls into a nearby Catholic church looking for a priest to hear his dying confession. However, only a nun is there and so he tells her that he helped convict an innocent many and it's been weighing on his conscience--but before he can say more, he dies. The priest and nun from the parish call in Mannix to look into Al Murphy's claim that he made before he died. The problem, however, is that after doing some digging, he learns that Murphy had testified in a case years ago-- but the man he testified against plead guilty! But there is a chance the man in prison is lying and he didn't kill anyone--as there is an interesting paper trail. Additionally, lots of folks start behaving as if there is a conspiracy--especially when they force him off the road! Eventually the trail leads towards a super- rich guy named Taggert-- a man who is obviously modeled after Howard Hughes considering that the man hasn't been seen in many years. What exactly IS going on here?!

This is an interesting and complicated plot. Aside from folks trying to kill Mannix (when ISN'T this happening?!), it's all pretty fresh and interesting...and worth seeing.

A great episode with a unique and brilliant ending

[pkfloydmh · 8/10 · 9 September 2021]

This one is about a dying man who claims he framed somebody.

This is an excellent episode with an intriguing and well-written plot with lots of twists and turns and a unique ending to say the least. You should avoid looking at the trivia section here on the IMDB page, however, before watching the episode because it partially gives away the ending.

I really liked Robert Mandan's performance as Noble. He's a great villain and plays it perfectly. This is his first of two appearances on the show.

There's a nice car chase but unfortunately all of it is reused footage from Cold Trail and The Glass Trap, both from earlier this season.

Joe doesn't get whacked in the head but does get shot at.

There's a good action scene at the end, which includes Joe jumping onto a roof from a moving helicopter. There's a good fight scene at the end too.

This is one of the best episodes of the season, with an ending that is certainly original. It's really something to see.

Joe is doing God's work

[Guad42 · 8/10 · 26 November 2021]

A drunk driver has a car crash and ends up dying in the company of a nun, Sister Meg Costello (Brooke Bundy). He confesses he bore false witness against a man who went to jail for murdering the wife of a rich man with whom he was having an affair. The Sister goes to her priest (Arthur Franz) who goes to Joe. Joe is skeptical but looks into it. He visits the murderer, Ted Kilgore (Jeremy Slate), in jail and Kilgore says he did it. Joe talks to his defense lawyer Lyle Grandt (Leonard Stone) who also says Ted did it but says he gave him the best defense possible. After that conversation, Grandt calls someone and reports Joe's snooping around so we learn early there is more to this story. A potential client shows up to get Joe to take a case far away for big money. Joe turns it down as he is sure it is to get him off of this case. Meanwhile Art Malcolm gets to advance some theories which are all wrong (of course) and Peggy gets to work some phone magic to produce timely information. When it becomes apparent that Joe can't be bought off the case, the unseen bad guys turn tough and hire two hitmen who get in a car chase while after Joe and Joe goes over a steep embankment after several near misses with a rifle. Joe gets back to work, against doctor's orders, and goes to see the rich husband CW Taggart along with Art Malcolm. His theory is the rich guy is dead and the wife was killed to keep her quiet. He talks to the second in command Ed Noble (Robert Mandan). He and Malcolm do not get to see Taggart but get a martini glass with Taggart's fingerprints on it that proves he is still alive. Turns out the glass had ginger ale in it and not alcohol. Joe then talks to Ted Kilgore in jail. After pointing out the bad guys will kill him in jail to keep him from talking, Kilgore tells the truth. He was paid to take the rap by the rich husband and Kilgore believes the rich husband did it but he only dealt with the second in command, Ed Noble. Joe breaks into the rich guy's mansion and finds out the rich guy suffered a stroke and is now basically a child. Ed Noble had the wife killed because she was brought in for a marriage of convenience but now wanted big money or she would tell the truth about Taggart's condition. Joe beats up the bad guys, the cops come in, the end. This is a well-done story with a surprisingly "non-routine" ending.

A couple of tropes. In this episode, Joe goes over a steep embankment in his car. As other reviewers pointed out, it is the same footage from The Glass Trap (Ep 5-8) Joe also goes over an embankment in his car in Murder Times Three (Ep 5-12) This is episode 5-14 so in the space of eight episodes, Joe and his car go over an embankment three times. His insurance rates must be outrageous. Also, that must be the toughest car in the world. It is quickly repaired and always looks good. I wish I had his mechanic. In addition, Joe also takes a tumble over an embankment in Murder Times Three. The second trope is the police, led by dependable old Art Malcolm, barge in at exactly the time the action ends and they then arrest everyone. The thing in this episode is they come through the open door literally one second after Joe punches the bad guy. Since we know there was a long hallway there, the police must have been coming down the hall while the bad guy has a gun on Joe. You would think Art would call for him to surrender or something. If they keep wanting to have the police arrive after the action, at least make it several seconds afterward and not one second afterward.

The cast gets the job done. As usual with Mannix, they are all veterans with long careers and plenty of credits. Why are all nuns on TV young and pretty?

Not sure Joe got paid, Maybe the pope kicked some money his way. At least he doesn't get shot or drugged. A good outing that I highly recommend.

JOE'S NEXT CLIENT -- A NUN ON THE RUN?

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 24 August 2022]

Brooke Bundy (who we all watched grow up on tv) plays Sister Costello who has the tough luck of listening to a dying man who claims he helped convict the wrong person in a murder case. There are shades here of the famous Hitchcock thriller I CONFESS, only this time with a nun. The guy in prison, by the way, is sitting on some explosive stuff, which even surprises Joe.

Brooke got her start in westerns, such as GUNSMOKE, and was a tv favorite for years, usually playing a young woman in a mess. She is in quite a dilemma here and needs help pronto.

Dan Mullally wrote this story, who got his start with the classic detective show, MR AND MRS NORTH also RICHARD DIAMOND. At this time he was also writing for IRONSIDE. True, there's some twists and turns, a complex story, and you have to take some mental notes.... however... it all comes together and that's the fun.

There's another car chase and the Dodge goes off a cliff with Mannix --but both are back in service ASAP. You have to be a TRUE fan to accept this, kinda' sorta' reminiscent of Steve McQueen in BULLIT.

Versatile Robert Mandan plays Ed and veteran Arthur Franz plays a man of the cloth, Father Vale. Usually Franz played businessmen or baddies. Question: Was that veteran movie comedian Eddie Quillan as the dying man in the opening? It sure looked like him. Eddie began a new career on tv, and although many of the young casting directors did not know who he was, he was cast frequently and proved quite popular in smaller roles. Perhaps as a dead guy?

Caution: the WEIRD ending may stick with you for awhile. Beware, without giving further details, except 10 Stars.

SEASON 5 EPISODE 14. Remastered CBS/Paramount dvd box set.

Well this one had some twists.

[dukeb0y · 8/10 · 16 January 2024]

You know something about Mannix. The cars, acting, the fist fights, the car chases.

This is really a whodunit. And it's a darn good one cuz I didn't see it coming. So Mannix does his usual detective work as a man confessed to a crime, to a nun in a church.

However this case was closed years ago. So manix as a favor to the nun does a little investigating and that's where the plot gets thick. Who did what and who is who? Quite clever.

Also, he pops the hood to find Dynamite, but cleverly I notice his 383 in the Barracuda does not have any air conditioning. Maybe that's why the convertible top is always down.

We get some nice action in this Barracuda driving off the road and taking a rough and tumble. Who would have thunk these cars are worth 50 Grand?

I suppose you could conclude with, the love of money is a root of all evil and it certainly shows up here.