An American spy has defected to an Eastern Bloc country by taking refuge in their embassy in Washington. The American government cannot just storm in and take the agent so it's up to the IM Force to get that agent using their usual bag of tricks--plus the help of a contortionist (Eartha Kitt) who will be climbing through the ductwork of the complex. In fact, she is a HUGE part of the episode and it all relies on her to not only climb but precisely follow Barney's instructions without triggering any of the alarms. So what, exactly, is Kitt to do and what does all this have to do with capturing this traitor? See this exceptionally well-crafted episode to see! This is a really neat episode--with some of the best stunts and twists. I particularly liked how they hid, for a short time, the spy inside his own bed! It's all very clever and is very, very much worth your time.
2 Reviews
THE SECRET MESSAGE THAT ALMOST GETS AWAY...
tcchelsey29 October 2023
Outstanding in every way, special thanks to the superb direction of Lee H. Katzin, who did a particularly fine job working with guest star Eartha Kitt. Katzin was one of the best, if not the best director on tv at the time, and it shows.
The fascination with the Soviets continues, this time having the IMF team secretly enter their US embassy in Washington that has a visitor of enormous concern. Popular character actor Lonny Chapman plays Hughes, an American spy who has top secret information, yet to be decoded by the enemy. Bottom line, snag it before they do.
And so the games begin. And what a cat and mouse game here, thanks to the athletic skills of singer and actress Eartha Kitt, playing Tina Mara, a circus performer. Her job is to creep through ventilators and shafts without getting caught and mess things up for the Soviets. The best ever stunt has Tina carefully inflate a bed in which Hughes is sleeping, making it look like he's not there, although he's actually beneath it. See this one through as it's excellent, in addition to her quick escapes.
There's no question that Kitt's stellar performance had to have inspired producers to cast her as the next Catwoman on BATMAN, replacing Julie Newmar. She does it all here, except the evil purr. More over, Eartha Kitt would have made a terrific addition to the IMF team, as she really had what it takes, but it did not pan out that way, which I think was a missed opportunity.
Malachi Throne plays the scowling Soviet ambassador, called Brazneck. Likewise, this role may have landed him the part as Robert Wagner's no nonsense boss on IT TAKES A THIEF. Lonny Chapman is also very good as Hughes, who appeared in scores of movies and tv and for many years ran a distinguished acting school in North Hollywood. A memorable role he had was in Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS (1963), as the guy who runs the diner that's hit by a mad flock of birds.
Superb writing on the part of Edward Lakso, who wrote four episodes for the series. Later the MOD SQUAD and many super stories for CHARLIES ANGELS in the 70s.
A late show classic, not to be missed. SEASON 1 EPISODE 27 remastered Paramount dvd box set.
The fascination with the Soviets continues, this time having the IMF team secretly enter their US embassy in Washington that has a visitor of enormous concern. Popular character actor Lonny Chapman plays Hughes, an American spy who has top secret information, yet to be decoded by the enemy. Bottom line, snag it before they do.
And so the games begin. And what a cat and mouse game here, thanks to the athletic skills of singer and actress Eartha Kitt, playing Tina Mara, a circus performer. Her job is to creep through ventilators and shafts without getting caught and mess things up for the Soviets. The best ever stunt has Tina carefully inflate a bed in which Hughes is sleeping, making it look like he's not there, although he's actually beneath it. See this one through as it's excellent, in addition to her quick escapes.
There's no question that Kitt's stellar performance had to have inspired producers to cast her as the next Catwoman on BATMAN, replacing Julie Newmar. She does it all here, except the evil purr. More over, Eartha Kitt would have made a terrific addition to the IMF team, as she really had what it takes, but it did not pan out that way, which I think was a missed opportunity.
Malachi Throne plays the scowling Soviet ambassador, called Brazneck. Likewise, this role may have landed him the part as Robert Wagner's no nonsense boss on IT TAKES A THIEF. Lonny Chapman is also very good as Hughes, who appeared in scores of movies and tv and for many years ran a distinguished acting school in North Hollywood. A memorable role he had was in Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS (1963), as the guy who runs the diner that's hit by a mad flock of birds.
Superb writing on the part of Edward Lakso, who wrote four episodes for the series. Later the MOD SQUAD and many super stories for CHARLIES ANGELS in the 70s.
A late show classic, not to be missed. SEASON 1 EPISODE 27 remastered Paramount dvd box set.
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