A Ransom in Diamonds
- Episode aired Jan 12, 1978
- 1h
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
71
YOUR RATING
This episode was likely a "backdoor" pilot for a new series that shelved before production.This episode was likely a "backdoor" pilot for a new series that shelved before production.This episode was likely a "backdoor" pilot for a new series that shelved before production.
Sharon Thomas Cain
- Barbara
- (as Sharon Thomas)
Douglas Hume
- Doorman
- (as Doug Hume)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode was a back-door pilot for a spin-off series that was never picked up. They would try another back door pilot (The Killin' Cousin (1980)) in the last ever Barnaby Jones episode.
- GoofsThere are two problems with the ransom drop-off at the bridge. J.R. positions himself on the far side of the bridge in order to keep surveillance of the pick-up. When Stanley drives up to the bridge he throws the package out of the passenger side window where it lands in the bottom, with the bridge between the package and J.R.'s position. When the kidnapper drives up to retrieve the package, he goes past where the package was dropped off, goes under the bridge, and collects the package which is now suddenly on the wrong side of the bridge. (If Stanley had driven toward the bridge from the other direction this problem wouldn't have occurred.)
What's more, when the kidnapper gets the package, the camera's POV (which should be the same as J.R.'s) is now in a radically different position, as if he had moved from his original location. Then the camera shows J.R. still in the same place he had been from the beginning. It's hard to understand how this sequence got so messed up.
Featured review
One of the more enjoyable episodes of season six
This episode had a lot of plot twists and featured good acting from supporting guest stars. It was clearly a spin-off episode and the planned new series never developed. Kind of shame in that the banter between the two guest stars was enjoyable.
It was refreshing to see guest stars given a positive role as in most prior episodes they are either victims or criminals. What you see instead are two younger men struggling to find their way starting in a joint legal and private investigator partnership forged by their friendship in the Vietnam War.
In this regard, many have made the point that this concept pre-dated the Magnum PI plotline by several years. The comparison is valid. It also points to the frailties and hit and miss nature of Hollywood, where most TV pilots never see the light of day and remain interesting "what if" stories about stars that never were and characters that might have been popular.
In this episode, the two younger men form an eventual tacit partnership with the two Jones's, and it's a fun ride to watch unfold.
It was refreshing to see guest stars given a positive role as in most prior episodes they are either victims or criminals. What you see instead are two younger men struggling to find their way starting in a joint legal and private investigator partnership forged by their friendship in the Vietnam War.
In this regard, many have made the point that this concept pre-dated the Magnum PI plotline by several years. The comparison is valid. It also points to the frailties and hit and miss nature of Hollywood, where most TV pilots never see the light of day and remain interesting "what if" stories about stars that never were and characters that might have been popular.
In this episode, the two younger men form an eventual tacit partnership with the two Jones's, and it's a fun ride to watch unfold.
helpful•01
- kenstallings-65346
- Jul 18, 2023
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