After all his years as a director, William Conrad showed he definitely was still quite an actor. This episode finds Cannon an amateur sea captain (on his days off) touching up his boat. He's a natural here. Enter a young woman named Nina (played by Carol Rossen), who needs his help in finding her missing brother.
The stakes are high; three people are killed, witnesses who won't talk, and a link to mob boss Harold Gould. Gould is perfect for this type of role, originally an acting teacher who quit to jump in front of cameras himself.
An excellent story, directed by one of producer Quinn Martin's most reliable directors, William Hale. Note some nice beach shots that quickly turn ominous; Cannon breaking into a boarded up beach house and some strange goings on.
Carol Rossen, an accomplished actress in her own right, was the daughter of Robert Rossen, who wrote many top screenplays, including BODY AND SOUL (1947), the grand daddy of boxing films, co-starring William Conrad.
Top Cannon confrontation; the junk yard truck chase and game of hide and seek with the goons. Lots of fun. William Conrad obviously didn't do all the stunts, but he did many through the years and one heck of a job. Love the shadow man -- with his tongue hanging out -- when Cannon chokes him.
Writer Jack Turley includes some slick dialogue, and the scene where Nina nearly shoots Gould herself is a gem. Veteran actress Rose Hobart (DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE) plays Nina's mother, a regular on PEYTON PLACE in the 60s. Rough and tough RG Armstrong plays the sheriff.
Very clever ending with a house-full of witnesses, similar to COLUMBO. The only episode where we catch Cannon wearing shorts, and does Nina have an ever so slight crush on him toward the end? You be the judge.
Filmed at beautiful Marina del Rey, about five miles from Santa Monica. The cool boat may actually belong to William Conrad. He's proud and it shows.
SEASON 1 EPISODE 9 remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd box set #1 of 2. 4 disc set. 10 hrs running time per box. Released 2008.
