10 Stars.
Every once in awhile, the writers came up with something fun. Bernard Schoenfeld handled this one, who began his career writing screenplays like THE DARK CORNER (1946), starring Lucille Ball as a private eye's crackerjack secretary. Bernard at the time was writing for IRONSIDE, previously MOD SQUAD.
Exceptionally written, and catch the dialogue. All about a distinguished LA psychiatrist who writes a book about his patients and he's TOAST. Was it suicide or murder to look like suicide? Mannix takes the case and has no choice but to check into the real lives of some strange characters the doc was writing about. Interestingly, there are no names, rather letters, such as patient X, Y and Z. By the way, Z is the one who kills women?
Applause for two excellent actors; Katherine Helmond, who began her career in dramatic roles. She plays it straight to the point here and with some solid scenes opposite Mannix. Ramon Bieri guest stars. Bieri usually played lawmen or heavies, a regular on many cop shows in the 70s.
Robert Pratt plays Robert, probably a role written for him. Pratt was discovered a few years earlier by Peter Fonda, later becoming a successful businessman. Look for Flora Plumb as Elaine. She was the older sister of Eve Plumb from the BRADY BUNCH who passed a few years ago.
Written in the style of a contemporary noir -- for sure -- which Mike Connors said many times was the basis for the show. This may be the best example.
SEASON 7 EPISODE 20 remasterd color CBS dvd box set.
Every once in awhile, the writers came up with something fun. Bernard Schoenfeld handled this one, who began his career writing screenplays like THE DARK CORNER (1946), starring Lucille Ball as a private eye's crackerjack secretary. Bernard at the time was writing for IRONSIDE, previously MOD SQUAD.
Exceptionally written, and catch the dialogue. All about a distinguished LA psychiatrist who writes a book about his patients and he's TOAST. Was it suicide or murder to look like suicide? Mannix takes the case and has no choice but to check into the real lives of some strange characters the doc was writing about. Interestingly, there are no names, rather letters, such as patient X, Y and Z. By the way, Z is the one who kills women?
Applause for two excellent actors; Katherine Helmond, who began her career in dramatic roles. She plays it straight to the point here and with some solid scenes opposite Mannix. Ramon Bieri guest stars. Bieri usually played lawmen or heavies, a regular on many cop shows in the 70s.
Robert Pratt plays Robert, probably a role written for him. Pratt was discovered a few years earlier by Peter Fonda, later becoming a successful businessman. Look for Flora Plumb as Elaine. She was the older sister of Eve Plumb from the BRADY BUNCH who passed a few years ago.
Written in the style of a contemporary noir -- for sure -- which Mike Connors said many times was the basis for the show. This may be the best example.
SEASON 7 EPISODE 20 remasterd color CBS dvd box set.