"Cannon" To Kill a Guinea Pig (TV Episode 1972) Poster

(TV Series)

(1972)

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7/10
THe plot is a bit hard to believe, but the show still is quite interesting.
planktonrules8 June 2013
The show begins with a woman (Vera Miles) being tormented by men in a parking garage. It appears they are going to kill her and then they just walk away--quite inexplicably. Who were they and why were they doing this to her? Her boss, the head of a pharmaceutical company, is worried for her safety and hires Cannon. However, the attacks continue and still she has no idea who they are or why this is occurring. Eventually, after scaring the pants off her repeatedly, they divulge why they are doing this. They want a 'friend' of theirs included in a drug study being conducted in prison. But, naturally, there's much more to it than this!

The show is not without its faults (such as the woman repeatedly not confiding in Cannon--a man hired to save her). But, the plot, though hard to believe, is quite nice because it's so unusual. Well worth seeing.
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10/10
WATCH THIS FOR VERA MILES.
tcchelsey4 August 2022
10 Stars.

Alfred Hitchcock always admired Vera Miles, and rightly so, casting her in both his tv show and a few movies. Same said about acclaimed director John Ford. There's doubt she also worked with William Conrad at Warner Brothers, and is put to good use in this episode.

Vera portrayed Cannon's ex girl friend in the memorable series pilot, and plays a similar victim of circumstances here, only this time as a doctor. Her research (as Dr. Adams), in league with a pharmaceutical company, takes her to a prison where she is used as a pawn by some crafty characters.

Watch how this all unfolds.

Hal Sitowitz wrote this episode, many years associated with GUNSMOKE, also producer for THE ROOKIES. There are some very dramatic scenes at play here, including the opening, a bit different and unexpected for the series as you are lead to believe she's about to be killed! That's a first.

Two frequent guests stars add to the adventure; super smooth Robert Mandan (as Dr. Dean) and Michael Strong, always suspicious, playing Brooks.

Strong was frequently used by producer Quinn Martin, usually as a bad apple. He was perfect. Arthur Franz, a veteran of cult sci fi films, plays Steven. Franz turned up in many cop shows in the 70s, particularly MOD SQUAD.

Between the fistacuffs, there is a very poignant ending between Dr. Adams and her son.

Vera Miles has long since retired, married at one time to movie TARZAN Gordon Scott, but never forgotten.

Filmed partly at Terminal island at San Pedro, about 24 miles south of LA, which the show would use a few more times.

Recommended. SEASON 1 EPISODE 18. CBS/Paramount remastered dvd box set No 2 of 2, released 2008.
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