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Columbo: The Most Crucial Game (1972)
"The Most Crucial Game" was an okay ep of "Columbo" for me
Robert Culp plays the general manager of a football team whose owner, Dean Stockwell, doesn't seem to care about them since he's usually sleeping or at the pool. So Culp does what he does to make sure he's not even around anywhere. So Lt. Columbo has to find out the clues to catch him. I have to admit, I didn't pay too much attention to many details that were presented and by the end, I was a bit confused by the clue that gave Columbo his gotcha moment. Still, this was another enjoyable ep and I liked recognizing other guest stars like Susan Howard as Stockwell's wife years before appearing in the soap "Dallas" and Valerie Harper as a...well, just watch this ep "The Most Crucial Game" to find out.
McCloud: 'Twas the Fight Before Christmas... (1976)
"'Twas the Fight Before Christmas..." was a nice holiday ep of "McCloud"
It's Christmas Eve and Sam McCloud is hoping to spend it with his writer girlfriend Chris but there's a lot going on: A woman (Linda Gray) is on a ledge after breaking up with her boss, a street Santa robs many of the people giving money, Chief Clifford plays Santa at a hospital ward full of children with Chris also in attendance that gets interrupted by three teens threatening them, and a stalker waits for McCloud. That's a lot to deal with and not everything gets resolved but it's pretty entertaining to watch, just the same. I especially liked the storyline involving Ms. Gray who did this a couple of years before becoming Sue Ellen Shepherd Ewing on "Dallas". Oh, and among those teens is Dean Stockwell, a former kid actor who'd later be known as Al on "Quantum Leap". Dennis Weaver himself directed this so on that note, give "'Twas the Fight Before Christmas" a look.
Mission: Impossible: The Cardinal (1968)
"The Cardinal" was another excellent ep of "Mission: Impossible"
In this ep, a general in an unidentified country has captured a cardinal and is replacing him with a lookalike (of course, both are played by the same person) so that lookalike can endorse him on live TV. So it's up to the IMF to stop that. This was another nearly great ep of "Mission: Impossible" especially concerning all those switch-ups being done under extreme tension. I also thought it was a hoot finding out Barbara Babcock, having just previously seen her in a "Mannix" ep, plays a "nun" here doing stuff one wouldn't expect of one donning such a habit such as smoking and putting the ashes in holy water! So on that note, "The Cardinal" was another mostly excellent one of "Mission: Impossible".
The Fugitive: Goodbye My Love (1967)
"Goodbye My Love" was a nice change-of-pace for "The Fugitive"
In this one, Richard Kimble falls for the female singer at a nightclub he's working at. They seem like quite the couple but she's actually into a man who often gets drunk there who Kimble has to drive home where that man's wife is waiting, confined to a wheelchair. Turns out that singer has seen the newspaper clipping offering a reward for his capture which gives her an idea...Jack Lord plays the alcoholic, two-timing man a year before becoming the straight arrow Steve McGarrett in the original "Hawaii Five-O" and he's terrific here, that's for sure! As the singer, Marlyn Mason has quite the pipes when singing two Frank Sinatra tunes: "Strangers in the Night" and "I'll Never Smile Again". So not only does Kimble have a brief romance here but also the cops aren't looking for him this time around! So that's my recommendation of "Goodbye My Love".
Mannix: Bird of Prey: Part 2 (1975)
Part 2 was a fine conclusion to the "BIrd of Prey" ep of "Mannix"
Part 1 of this ep had Joe being struck in the head by the guy he was looking for who's revealed to be an assassin who's about to shoot the visiting president. So Mannix gets knocked out by a poison liquid and is at the same balcony as that assassin when the deed is done. So now Joe is being chased by the cops...Robert Loggia has more scenes here as the cop and makes the most of his screen time, that's for sure! He and Mike Connors have great exchanges of dialogue that make this one of the more worthy eps of the series. Ms. Marcovicci's character seems on more shaky ground especially at the end. Still, she's a compelling presence throughout even when she's smoking. (If I didn't personally get turned off by such scenes, I'd probably think she was most sexy when doing that!) So on that note, I very much enjoyed "Bird of Prey: Part 2".
Mannix: Bird of Prey: Part 1 (1975)
"Bird of Prey: Part 1" was in intriguing ep of "Mannix"
In Part 1 of this ep, Joe looks for someone on behalf of a client who this someone saved. He's supposed to meet someone else who knows about him at a certain time only for this someone else to not show up. We then find out things about that first someone that are either true or not that's not so pleasant about him. So as a result, Mannix gets beaten quite a bit while he also gives it all in return. Among the guest stars are Andrea Marcovicci who's quite stunning here. I remember her from a couple of "Taxi" eps. And then there's Robert Loggia as a cop who I just saw in a couple of "Cannon" shows. I'll just now say this was quite an intriguing first part of "Bird of Prey" that I couldn't wait for Part 2 which I'll be reviewing next...
Mannix: Race Against Time: Part 2 (1974)
"Race Against Time: Part 2" was a great way to end this "Mannix" ep
At the end of the last part, the pacemaker Joe had brought with him on the plane was broken possibly because one of the rebels was a spy. So he and the doctor go to a hospital, disguised in dictatorship uniforms, to get another one. But their pics are displayed on TV and while one of the hospital staff is loyal to the rebels, they don't know which one...I'll admit while this ep seems a bit ridiculous for a detective show, it was very exciting nonetheless. Like I said about Part 1, this seems more like a script for that other Bruce Geller show "Mission: Impossible" that was cancelled the previous season. Still, I highly recommend both Parts 1 & 2 of "Race Against Time". Dig especially the disguises Joe and the doc have on at the end.
Mannix: Race Against Time: Part 1 (1974)
"Race Against Time: Part 1" was a nice change of pace for "Mannix"
Joe Mannix is assigned to help take a certain doctor to a certain country to help bring back to health a certain rebel leader in that certain country ruled by a dictatorship. Of course, there are a lot of obstacles in the way. I'll stop there and just say, yes, this resembles a "Mission: Impossible" script. That show, like this one, was produced by Bruce Geller so it's possible it was written for that other show before it was cancelled the previous season. Be that as it may, I enjoyed this one enough as a nice change of pace for the "Mannix" TV show. I especially liked that female villain who seems to have control over everyone. Now I'll review Part 2....
Mannix: Cry Danger (1973)
"Cry Danger" may not always make sense for a "Mannix" ep but it's still pretty entertaining nonetheless
At an airport in San Francisco, Joe Mannix meets a woman who stood him up back in Los Angeles and he asks her why. She says she's married and says her married name. Just then after Joe leaves, he's being held up and taken to an embankment where he almost has to jump. Those men beat him up but then Joe does the same before escaping...I'll just stop there and just say that while I found myself riveted from beginning to end, part of me was indeed confused by some of the narrative. But it was nice to see the setting change to the city that was the resident living quarters for fellow '70s detective shows "The Streets of San Francisco" and "McMillan & Wife". Also, nice to watch Diana Muldaur outside of her recurring role in "McCloud". So I say give "Cry Danger" a look for any "Mannix" fans out there.
Dragnet 1967: Management Services: DR-11 (1968)
"Management Services: DR-11" was a historical ep of "Dragnet 1969"
This ep of "Dragnet 1969" addressed the aftermath of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As Friday, Gannon, and their fellow officers man the phones in anticipation of riots happening in the Los Angeles area as was happening in other U. S. cities. But what was happening in the City of Angels was mostly peaceful. The entire setting is at a particular part of the police station as they're mostly sitting at the tables taking calls. Not all of them are male as there is one female and one black male uniformed officers also handling the calls. Also, two of the men are expecting. In summary, "Management Services: DR-11" was a pretty entertaining and educational ep of "Dragnet 1969".
Barnaby Jones: Master of Deception (1979)
"Master of Deception" showcased the leading character of "Barnaby Jones" full-time to good entertainment
A man is found out by his wife that he's taking photos of plans from her company that he tells her what he's going to do with them. So he makes sure she doesn't escape with her life. We later find out he's also married to another woman who works for another company he's very interested in. It's up to Barnaby Jones to make sure he doesn't get away. Unlike many other eps of the show this late in the run, Barnaby is the center of the narrative full-time as opposed to the usual showcases of either Betty or J. R. during this period. One of the most pleasurable moments of this particular one was seeing Markie Post, a few years before starring in "Night Court", as that other wife. In fact, the entire ep was enjoyable from beginning to end. So that's a recommendation of "Master of Deception".
Columbo: An Exercise in Fatality (1974)
"An Exercise in Fatality" was another enjoyable ep of "Columbo"
Robert Conrad is a fitness mogul who is having a tiff with one of his franchisees. So he plots his termination with what he thinks is the perfect alibi. When Lt. Columbo takes the case, well, watch out! This was another entertaining ep of Peter Falk's character with the rumpled raincoat. Nice contrast when he shares scenes with in-shape Conrad. Other nice supporting turns from Gretchen Corbett as Robert's secretary and Pat Harrington Jr. As his friend. Having been mostly familiar with Harrington as Schneider in "One Day at a Time", I always consider it odd when he doesn't wear a mustasche in his other roles. Anyway, I really liked "An Exercise in Fatality" ep of "Columbo".
Cannon: The Deadly Conspiracy: Part 1 (1975)
"The Deadly Conspiracy" was a nice teaming of Frank Cannon and Barnaby Jones in "Cannon"
A young woman is raped and killed by a man who works for a company she's got the goods on. That man manages to pin it on a whiskey delivery man who we find out later is impotent! While Frank Cannon decides to defend him, Barnaby Jones takes the opposite tack. The version I watched has no part 2 that I understand was an ep of "Barnaby Jones" so I'll only review this part for now. It's quite entertaining seeing the two QM stars appearing together and doing what their characters are known for doing. And it's a treat seeing such guest stars like Charles Durning-here being really menacing, Murray Hamilton, and Hayden Rorke who I mainly knew as Dr. Bellows in "I Dream of Jeannie". While I'd like to watch Part 2 eventually, this version of "The Deadly Conspiracy" was entertaining enough for what it was.
Barnaby Jones: Fatal Overture (1979)
"Fatal Overture" was another fine showcase for Betty Jones in "Barnaby Jones"
Betty Jones takes the lead here as she witnesses an argument of two women over one man across her apartment. Next day, one of them reportedly committed suicide and that man hires Betty on the spot to find out what really happened. Oh, and he also asks her for a date and the wife is a little crazy herself! I'll also mention he's some kind of musical conductor. Also, there's a male next door neighbor that may or not also be involved. Okay, I'll just now say this started slow but picked up steam when that wife...Oh, well I don't want to reveal too much just that I say give this ep of "Barnaby Jones" called "Fatal Overture" a look.
The Time Tunnel: Invasion (1966)
Yesterday being the 80th anniversary of D-Day was what made me watch the "Invasion" ep of "The Time Tunnel"
Because it was a few hours after the 80th anniversary of D-Day, I took that time to watch this very ep of "The Time Tunnel" taking place two days before that historical event. Doug and Tony land in Cherbourg, France and encounter some Nazis. The doctor there has designs on them: He'll let one escape while brainwashing the other to do the SS officer's bidding. The one that escapes encounters some French resistance fighters of which some of them suspects the American of being a Nazi spy while the other one is ordered to kill that one! This was an exciting enough one with some nice color footage of that historical day. So that's a recommendation of "Invasion".
McMillan & Wife: Reunion in Terror (1974)
"Reunion In Terror" was another pretty good ep of "McMillian & Wife"
Mac, along with wife Sally, attends a 20th-year reunion of his college football team though some are missing. Turns out one of those missing tried to call him but gets shot during it. Housekeeper Mildred took that call and later wrote what he said but since she didn't use her glasses, the words are a little scrambled leaving Sally to decipher the message. Of course, Sgt. Charles is also on the case as he and Mac figure there's some kind of sequential order for subsequent killings. I'll stop there and just say that there's just enough suspense to keep one riveted as well as nice humor mostly from Mildred. Also, what a pleasure seeing guest stars Rosey Grier, Buddy Hackett, and Ned Wertimer, a year before starting his recurring role as Ralph the doorman on "The Jeffersons". So that's a recommendation for "Reunion in Terror".
Dragnet 1967: The Big Neighbor (1967)
"Dragnet 1968" goes into humorous territory with "The Big Neighbor"
In a change of pace, this ep of "Dragnet" mostly has Friday and Gannon trying to relax in the latter's home by watching a football game while waiting for Gannon's wife to prepare dinner. But neighbors keep pestering Bill about various goings-on hoping he'll do something about it, whatever it is! Eventually, something does happen for them to do their duty...I got bemused during the scene of Joe and Bill watching the football game as Bill goes on about various non-work-related topics while Joe just smiles and takes it all in stride. Among the guest cast is one Ann Morgan Guilbert, formerly Millie on "The Dick Van Dyke Show", as one of the neighbors and what a hoot she is, that's for sure! Also appearing is Kent McCord as a patrol officer about a year before starring in the Webb-produced "Adam-12". He'd be recurring throughout the season. In summary, "The Big Neighbor" was a nice change-of-pace for "Dragnet 1968".
Dragnet 1967: The Gun (1967)
"The Gun" is one of the more intense eps of "Dragnet 1967"
A young Japanese woman who's husband was killed in the Vietnam war and who has a five-year-old daughter who's staying with her mother was raped and found dead. This upsets the usually stoic Friday to even more intense feelings. When a photo is shown of this woman more than once, one can see why. I'll just now say this was one of the more dramatically compelling eps of the show that definitely gave me the feels by the time it ended. Perhaps one of the best eps of "Dragnet" ever! Among the guest cast is one Kathleen Freeman who's done quite a few of these eps. She also did some Jerry Lewis films as well as appeared with Dan Aykroyd in The Blues Brothers and his comedic version of Dragnet from 1987. So that's a high recommendation of "The Gun".
Cannon: Nightmare (1975)
"Nightmare" gives a fine backstory to the title character in "Cannon"
With this ep, we get a backstory of Frank Cannon as he visits a former hit man on his deathbed who confesses to killing his wife and son 14 years before. He also reveals something about his wife that surprises Frank as he sets about to find out who's responsible for ordering a killing that led to the accidental death of his immediate family members. With this ep, William Conrad gets to emote as he's never done before in the series as it entered its fifth and final season in this entry. I didn't recognize any of the guest stars mentioned at the beginning but when reading the ones in the end credits, I found myself amused seeing Beth Howland's name there as a secretary to a senator in the narrative. She seemed familiar when I saw her near the end though her hairstyle was different from when she played Vera in "Alice" which began its run the following season. Anyway, "Nightmare" is an essential ep of "Cannon" worth watching for partially explaining why Frank is the way he is. Highly recommended.
M*A*S*H: Good-Bye Radar: Part 2 (1979)
Gary Burghoff got a fine send-off in the "Good-Bye Radar: Part 2" ep of "M*A*S*H"
With still no generator forthcoming, Radar manages to arrange for jeep lights to help the surgeons work in the darkness. And with Klinger still not getting the hang of his new responsibilities, Radar decides to stay to the objections of both Col. Potter and especially Hawkeye. But Max eventually does come through and Radar eventually changes his mind. So a farewell party is prepared for him but casualties beckon so the crew say their goodbyes to him quickly before doing their duties...What a great way to say goodbye to Gary Burghoff's character which he inhabited since the MASH movie back in 1970! Perhaps my favorite part was seeing Margaret giving him a big kiss on the mouth with Radar exclaiming "Wow, Hot Lips!" which would be the last time Loretta Swit's character would be referred to that way. And seeing Max Klinger don his military attire instead of the female clothing he usually wore before then was also a nice treat here. Perhaps the most touching part was seeing Radar's teddy bear being left behind in Hawkeye's bed. Walter O'Reilly is coming home a man...
M*A*S*H: Good-Bye Radar: Part 1 (1979)
"Good-Bye Radar: Part 1" is a nice set up for Gary Burghoff's departure in "M*A*S*H"
While Radar is in Tokyo, Klinger is in his position as company clerk and is not having any success in getting a generator for the medical staff. When Radar waits for his ride to the 4077th, he meets a pretty nurse who's going home. Turns out they live not too far from each other and they seem to get a romance going but Radar suddenly gets a ride so it gets cut short. When he arrives back, he's not so successful either in getting that generator and goes to the bar where Max tries to comfort him. It's at this point that Colonel Potter gets a telegram informing him of a tragedy in O'Reilly's family...Nice set up for the departure of Gary Burghoff from the series. Some funny stuff involving the perfume in his bag. This will be the last time we see Klinger in women's clothes. Now I'm reviewing part 2...
Cannon: Perfect Fit for a Frame (1975)
"Perfect Fit for a Crime" was another exciting ep of "Cannon"
On a boat in the middle of the ocean, a drunk boss is no longer appealing to his younger wife as she and her paramour-who's the boss' vice president-throw him overboard with sharks in tow. But he survives and is out for revenge. So the VP hires Frank Cannon to take care of his "daughter" in order to later frame him for a more successful murder of that boss...Another thrilling ep of "Cannon" with the added treat of seeing Robert Donner as the sheriff who arrests Cannon. I knew him as Exidor on "Mork & Mindy" made a few years later. Ralph Meeker was also a treat as the drunk. I first saw him in The Naked Spur with James Stewart. So that's my recommendation of "Perfect Fit for a Frame".
Barnaby Jones: Dance with Death (1979)
We see Buddy Ebsen display his hoofer skills in the "Dance with Death" ep of "Barnaby Jones"
A beautiful young woman at a disco club cuts a rug with many of the men there but one of them goes too far and he gets thrown out so she leaves to go back to her place where a friend is staying after her argument with her hubby. This friend is sleeping in the bed of this woman's place and suddenly gets killed. Now the owner of the house thinks the murder was meant for her so she goes to Barnaby's place of work and he lets J. R. take the case. I'll just now say this was quite thrilling to watch and the dancer was quite easy on the eyes. While Buddy Ebsen, as usual for these later season eps, didn't do much, he does get to do a little dancing himself at the end which would be no surprise to anyone who's seen many of his early film appearances when he was originally presented as a hoofer. So that's my recommendation of "Dance with Death".
Mannix: The Deadly Madonna (1973)
"The Deadly Madonna" was another thrilling ep of "Mannix"
A veteran movie actress (Anne Baxter) is attempting a comeback after suffering a tragedy of someone close to her. But someone in costume keeps trying to scare her. Good thing she has her sister to take care of her...or does she? Also, Joe Mannix is also around to take care of business...This was quite a thrilling ep to watch even though I guessed who's behind certain calamities that happened in the past. Only guest star I really recognized was Barbara Babcock as the sister who would later do memorable guest star turns in "Taxi" and "Cheers" and also have a recurring role as the lover of Sgt. Esterhaus on "Hill Street Blues". So that's a recommendation of "The Deadly Madonna".
The Time Travelers (1964)
Despite its low budget, The Time Travelers was quite good for what it was
Having only just discovered this movie on "Svengoolie" that I taped a month ago, I found most of the narrative quite believable and compelling dramatically. The ending, while befuddling, was also quite believable though not what I'd consider a happy one. While the low budget shows, what's done with it still impresses here and there. The dialogue and performances do not seem stilted as there seems to be an effort to make this as believable as possible to anyone who loves science fiction and just the possibilities of imagination. That fact that people like Gene Roddenberry and Irwin Allen would use some of this movie's ideas for their hit shows is evidence that this was quite an important movie for future icons like them. So on that note, I recommend The Time Travelers.