Perchance to Kill

When the story begins, a man has been going through some files and he realizes one of the lawyers at his firm is a crook and has been stealing. What he doesn't realize is that the man has stolen something else....his wife. And, when she meets up with her crook lover, she tells him her husband's suspicions....so Steven (Eric Braedon) kills the guy. After doing so, he calls the police and pretends to be the dead man...saying that some hippies are breaking into his home and intend him harm. As a result, the police naively begin looking for these hippies. But Barnaby Jones is a cool, happening dude (as you can tell by the jargon he spouts in the episode) and soon comes to the conclusion that something else happened....and nearly gets himself killed as a result.

This is an okay episode of the series. I say okay because hearing Ebsen, in his mid-60s, spouting all sorts of hip lingo seemed pretty silly. Not a bad episode but a bit embarrassing when it tried too hard to be relatable to the younger generation.

Anything Robert C. Dennis wrote was exceptional, and he worked his magic on this story, which is pretty darn clever. Alfred Hitchcock had him write no less than 30 episodes for his tv show. At the time he was also writing for CANNON.

In an attempt to reach a younger audience, and for the most part the series did, this story centers around some hippies, believed to have killed a Hollywood lawyer. Here's the neat switch. The dying man calls the cops... but its really the murderer, played to the max by Eric Braeden (as Kingston).

In a way, this does sound like a Hitchcock scenario. Kingston believes he can get away with just about anything. Really?

Naturally Barnaby smells a rat and the muddy wheels start turning. Well directed by Walter Grauman. The cast is right on target, featuring Jamie Smith Jackson (as Christie), just before her famous role in the tv film, GO ASK ALICE. Also Richard Hatch as Eric. Applause for two fine actresses; Sharon Acker as Gail and Barbara Stewart as Winnie. Veteran Ross Elliott plays Dr. Sanders.

To his credit, Eric Braeden has appeared in over 4000 episodes of the YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. Prior to this episode he frequently guested on GUNSMOKE.

Another intriguing story, comparable to COLUMBO. SEASON 1 remastered CBS/Paramount dvd box set. 4 dvds. Released 2010.

The producers did a decent job of portraying the counter-culture underground. It's a bit artificial and staged, with too many Robert Crumb posters and Right On signs hanging on the walls and on the hippie bus. And, maybe character Eric Garvin's hair should have been a bit longer. But those who were living at that time can relate to the Peace Signs and the "War is Not Healthy for Children and Other Living Things" poster.

Eric Braeden as "Attorney Steven Kingston" overplays his part; the swimming pool scene is especially tedious. But Braeden does come across strong in the climactic scene with Barnaby Jones.

We also see some good interaction between Barnaby Jones and the Police Department, particulary "Lieutenant Keogh", played by actor Frank Maxwell.

A very watchable show. I rate "Perchance to Kill" 9 stars.