High adventure, thanks to Herb Meadow, who created one of the greatest tv westerns HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL, next to GUNSMOKE. Unfortunately, this was the only episode he wrote, but the series was lucky to have him. Meadow had just finished an episode of MANNIX.
"Come Watch Me Die" is a super story, super title. Everything centers around rugged Don Stroud (as Marty), who escapes from an asylum for the criminally insane. He's been cleverly framed by the mob, specifically smooth Michael Tolan. The right choice for this role.
Yes, I agree with the last reviewer, there are NO institutions that advertise "insane" on their front doors? Creative writing 101. No matter, the going is rough for Marty. Don was a regular on HAWAII FIVE O and many other top shows, who began his career as a surfer and taught surfing to actors. Also a hero; he prevented a mugging in NYC, but was injured by a maniac with a knife, and carries the scars to this day.
This episode is chock full of terrific actors. Ahna Capri plays Tolan's gal friend. She was a regular at Warner Brothers/ABC TV and likely worked with William Conrad during his director years. Look for veteran Will Kuluva (who generally played professors and scholars) a standout as Stroud's concerned father. Will was a voice actor on JOHNNY QUEST. Meg Foster (as Linda, Stroud's girl) has an early role, quite popular on tv at the time. She next appeared on BARNABY JONES. John Larch returns, playing Pete, the guy at the beach helping teens at his workshop. He was good friends with Bill Conrad, famous for DIRTY HARRY.
George McCowan returned to direct, an alumnus of MOD SQUAD, and this does play like an episode from that show. Excellent writing, directing and acting, Don Stroud the one to watch. 10 Stars for this guest star.
Note the Moorpark Inn, where Cannon is having dinner, also turned up in an episode of COLUMBO with Jack Cassidy, soon to appear on the series. Partly filmed at the famous Gulls Estate at Malibu, later owned by tv personality Dick Clark.
SEASON 3 EPISODE 8 remastered CBS/Paramount color dvd box set. 20 hrs. (2012). Classic blue and red dvds.
