I agree with the last reviewer, and I wrote about it in the last review, this episode was a prelude to the next season --Joe is going solo! More over, after that slam-bang fight between Joe and Wickersham a few episodes back, you just knew something was up.
The title... YOU CAN GET KILLED OUT THERE also has a little hidden meaning.
Dorothy Herald wrote this episode, who later wrote for THE SNOOP SISTERS. The only cautionary note here is that she followed the same route of her male colleagues, another adventure you have to watch very carefully OR you will miss something quickly. Only leave the room during commercials.
One of the most memorable tough guys, Howard da Silva, long in Hollywood, is perfect as a gangsta' called Aram Karmalis. Here's the catch. Wickersham agrees to go to work for him and Joe QUITS on the spot! Of course.... there's a valuable necklace at stake and Mannix is back on
the job doing it HIS way. And that's what all of us big kids loved.
Mariana Hill guest stars as Marcie, much like da Silva, quite popular on tv. She played Cleo Patrick on BATMAN. Cult status assured. In films, her most recognized role was as Fredo's drunken wife in THE GODFATHER, PART II. Watch for it.
In the spot the face department; funny lady Jody Gilbert (in many B films and tv shows) plays Kitty and old time boxer Noble "Kid" Chissel plays a diner patron. Kid appeared in westerns and tv shows, such as GUNSMOKE for years and the casting people always got him a gig.
This was the only action episode directed by Louis Brandt, who served as assistant director for a string of cult movies in the 50s. He knew his stuff, and handles the cast well.
By the way. Just before this episode, Howard da Silva narrated an iconic tv commercial for Vicks formula 44 cough syrup, starring Odd Job from GOLDFINGER. It also features Mrs. Odd Job! I think it was filmed at the Warner Brothers lot in Burbank and he wrecks the neighborhood! It is outrageous and I believe is in the tv commercial hall of fame (1967). Google it.
10 STARS. SEASON 1 EPISODE 19. Remastered CBS dvd box set.