Cannon (TV Series) The Avenger (1974) User Reviews

Excellent in Every Way

[samwa-27311 · 10/10 · 16 January 2018]

Firstly, there is an all star cast, of well known tv actors.

Very good and convincing story.

Common for the era- Rich kid, bad relationship with parents, etc.

I have seen at least 15 shows that used the Pike in Long Beach, but this episode has at least 4-5 major scenes there, which is nice.

It is a complete mystery what the other reviewer was thinking; this episode has it all, plot, story, acting, suspense, and more.

Best in season 4.

NOT TO BE MISSED, FROM SEASON 4.

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 10 May 2022]

This talent alone in this episode is spot on. Acting 101.

THE AVENGER should have been nominated for several Emmys as you will see. Season 4 found the series ranking at 14 in the Neilsons, tied with MANNIX, dropping from 10th place the previous season, though this story may have bounced it briefly back into the Top 10.

Robert Sherman wrote this wild adventure, also the associate producer for BARNABY JONES. Sherman wrote two cult thillers; PICTURE MOMMY DEAD (1966), from his own novel, and KISS ME DEADLY (1955), among dozens of cop shows.

Sherman also wrote for the MOD SQUAD, and this comes off like a story from that series. Question is, was it an idea from the show? Robert Walker, Jr. Plays Del, a young guy caught up in LA's drug world, particularly because his gal pal (well played by Kay Lenz) is hopelessly addicted. He gets tied to the death of a cop in about two seconds and its a horrific ride for him. Watching Walker in this dramatic role is a treat, and he shows the talent he inherited from his famous father. He's the whole show.

I do agree with the last reviewer, it is curious as to how Del got involved with a drug-addicted girlfriend in the first place, and he seems to be clean and sober. Still, you find yourself drawn to him, and what happens next...

Corey Allan, one of the best, only directed this episode, though he did direct the RETURN OF FRANK CANNON tv movie in 1980. He later was associated with DALLAS. Corey captured some nice shots of Long Beach, and NOT to miss the beautiful SS Queen Mary from the bridge. CANNON filmed there in Season 2.

There's more. Special guest star Dane Clark makes an appearance, so well remembered for all the classic WWII movies he appeared in. Dane made multiple appearances on MANNIX and IRONSIDE.

Here he plays a retired cop who has a score to settle with Cannon, and its a strained relationship if there ever was one. He is excellent in this role.

Kay Lenz rivals Robert Walker in the acting department, and you really feel sorry for her predicament, in a GO ASK ALICE type part which is difficult to watch. At one point, you really think she's about to die, especially when Cannon catches up to her. It was about this time in her career she married singer David Cassidy. Pat Morita plays a hardened drug dealer, and very convincingly, again thanks to Corey Allen. He got ultra performances from everybody.

Honorable mention: Playing Walker's mom is Diana Douglas who at one time was married to Kirk Douglas and the mom of Michael Douglas. She had a role in THE COWBOYS tv series prior to this part.

Best GAG scene (and can you faintly hear some of the crew laughing?) Cannon is about to sit down to a sizzzzzzling steak in his kitchen -- DUTY CALLS -- and all he can do is smell it! Out the door he goes. That famous green kitchen was the scene for some memorable entertainment. Love it.

A 10 PLUS from SEASON 4, episode 7 remastered color CBS dvd box set. 6 dvds. 2016. Same box layout as MANNIX.

Dumb kid

[netflixnkill · 6/10 · 3 April 2024]

Not a completely bad episode but it is hard to watch when the characters are as dumb as bricks. This Del kid does not have one working braincell... running away from home to be with a drug addict, going out in public to score for said drug addict. They must've gotten together before she got hooked because why else would you shack up with a junky when you yourself are not one?

Cannon is hired by the parents to find him but he has a cop friend trailing him when he goes to buy the drugs. Things go wrong and the cop ends up dead. It is assumed by police, witnesses and the dead cop's brother (who's out to avenge which turns into its own mini subplot) that genius Del is the killer. He got away but not before dropping the drugs he just purchased at the scene of the crime, defeating the whole purpose and making the case against him more believable.

Del then sets up to meet again with the pusher, lol WHAT? The last time you saw him kill a man during a buy, so either he is being pursued after in which you should not want to go near him again or he thinks YOU set him up and in that case why in the world would you believe this man trusts you now? With dumb luck he manages to escape. *face palm*

Later when he finally goes home, not to reunite but to steal and get money because the gf still needs her fix, he learns that he is the one wanted for the murder. He doesn't seem concerned in the least bit that he's a wanted man, only angry that his parents believe he did it. What are they supposed to think loser? Still after he learns this he is out in public hitchhiking in the wide open. I think that scene was added just to further show how stupid he is.

The end wraps up nicely though and the acting is on par by everyone. Cannon does his thing per usual. Del should've went to jail just for being an idiot, I did not sympathize with him at all.

Well, you do get a chance to see Robert Walker Jr. as well as Longbeach.

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 19 April 2017]

A cop spots a wanted man...but Del's not wanted by the police. Instead, Cannon's been hired by a rich family to find their idiot son (Robert Walker Jr.). I say he's an idiot because although he does not use drugs, his girlfriend is a smack addict...though why a non-addict would have her as a girlfriend, I have no idea! But the boyfriend is a yutz and takes care of her...and even buys drugs for her. So, when he's about to buy drugs from one of the local dealer (Pat Morita, of all people), the cop approaches...and the dealer shoots him! The problem is that witnesses think the idiot shot the cop--not the drug dealer. So it's up to Cannon to put the pieces together and figure out who really killed the cop, as Del would have no reason to do such a think.

Aside from so many of the cops in the show seeming unprofessional and angry, Del ain't exactly Einstein! These two things tend to make this episode rather weak.