Recommended. 10 Stars.
Directed by one of the very best, David Lowell Rich. This was the only episode he did for the series, and left his mark. Rich was behind several cult films, including MADAME X, starring Lana Turner. He also directed NAKED CITY for Columbia Pictures, along with William Conrad. Old directors stick together.
Everything clicks.
Robert W. Lenski, also writing for MANNIX, wrote this adventure, set on a sprawling ranch at Santa Clarita, about 35 miles north of LA. The central character is Meg (played by Julie Adams), being held captive by her husband's beefed up security patrol. Cannon gets into the mix because her husband is actually missing, yet the mysterious Mr. Lucas has given strict orders to the trigger happy chief (Clu Gulager) to let no one out.
There's not a darn thing she can do about it, and neither can Cannon, at least at the beginning -- when he's used for target practice. In a way, thanks to Robert Lenski, this does sound like a Mannix episode.
This was Adams first appearance on the show, an alumnus of Warner Brothers/ABC tv, working with her old boss, Bill Conrad. Also keep an eye on Clu Gulager (who passed recently at 93) at his best playing tough hombres, somewhat in the style of Bruce Dern.
Interestingly, the storyline is similar to THE RETURN OF FRANK CANNON (1980), where Frank helps another lady (played by Diana Muldaur) in trouble on a mysterious ranch. A great two hour movie you have to see.
Catch this for some beautiful scenery and excellent acting all the way. A gem. SEASON 2 CBS/Paramount (2009) dvd box set number 1 of 2. 3 dvds per box. Note the nice artwork on both box covers.
