A Fine Day for Dying

Jenny Cole (Pamela Franklin) has been in a coma almost a year following being hit by a car. Suddenly, she awakens and while everyone is thrilled, their excitement is dampened when someone starts trying to kill Jenny...including a bullet that went whizzing through her hospital window! Naturally, the old family friend, Mannix, is going to get to the bottom of this. But when they take Jenny to the scene of the old accident, a sniper is waiting and this plan to job her memory might not be the smartest thing they've ever done!

While it IS an exciting episode, it also has one of the oldest and worst detective show clichés. Someone knows more about the shootings...and calls Mannix. Instead of telling him on the phone what he knew, he says he wants to meet the detective in person...and you KNOW that means the guy will be dead...and very very soon! I hate this cliché. Apart from that, it is pretty good...with some good twists and turns. Plus the story is very original....so ignore this cliché and enjoy.

True, a few flaws, but a rather nifty whodunit. Much thanks to series writer Harold Medford, who wrote one of the first airplane disaster movies, FATE IS THE HUNTER.

Pamela Franklin (who had the good fortune of working with just about every major star in Hollywood) plays Jenny, who suddenly wakes up after a one year coma and learns someone is trying to kill her. Fortunately, Joe is a family friend.

The debit -- of course -- is the hitman could have done her in a long time ago. Sean Penn's famous dad, Leo, directed and got some solid performances from everybody, particularly Franklin. At the time, he was directing episodes for CANNON and MARCUS WELBY. Long associated with BONANZA.

Katherine Helmond makes her second series appearance, playing Jenny's mom, always a fine actress. Best of the senior bad guys is Marc Lawrence, a little older, but the one to watch. In later years, Marc said people with underworld ties actually approached him and complimented the way he played gangsters! He was amazed.

There's a classic Hollywood street scene where Jenny is taken by Joe to where it all began, to get her to remember. Yes, they're going to have bad company. Watch this scene as it's exceptionally directed by Leo Penn. Another scene (the news stand) is at 1770 Vine Street, a few yards from Capitol Records. The reason I bring this up, because when you reach this intersection, you are now officially leaving old Hollywood. Less traffic, and the onramp to North Hollywood and the valley.

Famed bit actor Bob Harks plays a cop and Joe has his new Camaro. Paramount signed a contract with GM, dumping Dodge/Chrysler, so his Dodge was history. The Camaro also fit Mannix's style and got a good workout on the streets of LA. In a few episodes, Joe also drove a sleek red Chevy Impala convertible, the one used on the BRADY BUNCH.

I spoke to the owner of the Brady Bunch house and she said they found a replica of the car in northern California ( not easy after 50 years), and occasionally park it in the driveway for old times sake. What a happy ending.

By the way, the 1975 paperback edition of this episode (Vol. #2) is available for sale on various sites. Always check with the seller as to whether its an original or a re-print.

Another late nite gem with snacks. SEASON 8 Episode 3. Remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd box set. Released 2012.