User Reviews

This episode marks the first "Mannix" made by Paramount--the previous shows were all Desilu productions. The company was sold to Paramount in 1968 and shows like "Star Trek" and "Mannix" continued--just with a new studio in charge. However, this MIGHT explain why "Deadfall" was the first episode that was a two-part show--perhaps as a way of ushering in the new production company.

While "Mannix" was always a violent show, this first part is particularly so. Now for me, this was a plus--it made the show grittier and more believable. But it must have also thrown audiences for a loop seeing a guy take a head-shot that looks pretty convincing! It also featured one of the most violent fights so far in the series--and, oddly, it was between Mannix and his boss, Wickersham! Now I could try to explain the plot for "Deadfall" but it is VERY complicated. In fact, I am pretty sure that by the end of part one, you'll be thoroughly confused. Who is behind these murders? Why is Lew behaving so strangely? And, how do all the many disparate pieces all fit together? Well, I won't help you with this--you'll just need to see it for yourself as well as part two--which will bring most of these answers. Well done, if a bit confusing.

PART 1 EPISODE, written by Chester Krumholz, who wrote eleven episodes in all for the series. He also did many stories for KOJAK and POLICE SURGEON. This story definitely takes on its own personality, and is one of the most offbeat, dealing with sci fi elements and mind control!

It's all about a high tech laser ray and a special agent who turns up dead. The man obviously knew too much. Intriguing premise, but as is the custom with this show, the storyline tends to get ahead of itself and really blasts off. Hang tight. There's also a side bar, of sorts, as Wickersham (Joe Campanella) takes a medical drug which results in "mood" swings?

This is amazing. The drug turns Wickersham into a two fisted fighting machine who goes the rounds with Mannix. A must see. He and Joe really, really have a knock down drag out fight that was very well directed. I always thought it was added to show that Joe's days were numbered and it was time for him to work on his own.

This is the first appearance of Beverly Garland (playing Edna), the first lady of cult films. At the time she appeared in the thriller PRETTY POISON. Check that film out, it's fantastic. Beverly was one heck of an actress who really got into her roles and had fun with them. She is so missed. For many years at her famous hotel in North Hollywood, Beverly showcased dozens of giant posters in the lobby from many of her classic sci fi films of the 50s, such as NOT OF THIS EARTH (1957). We kids loved it.

Leonard J. Horn directed, who backed many MISSION IMPOSSIBLE episodes. He was the right fit for this story and gets some good performances from the cast. Michael Toland plays a doctor, and who always looked like a doctor! Also classy Antoinette Bower guest stars as Gail, another fine actress. All purpose character actor Dana Elcar plays Fred. Dana usually turned up as sherriffs or businessmen, and always reminded me of NBC sportcaster Joe Garagioloa, they looked so much alike. Also a good performance by Roscoe Lee Brown.

This episode also begins a trend for many scenes to be filmed in the Los Feliz area, both for apartment building and business settings, primarily because it was a neighborhood very close to Paramount Pictures in Hollywood. Also Griffith Park tied into filming, close to Los Feliz. This was also the first episode filmed at the Paramount lot and you can notice many, many familiar sets that would reappear on the series for years to come.

Great late night entertainment.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 17 remstered CBS box set.

It is interesting to watch some of the older shows on MeTV and other "oldies" networks. I remember Beverly Garland (Edna Reston) most as "Barbara Harper/Barbara Harper Douglas" in My Three Sons (1960), since that is what our family watched consistently when I was going up. But she had a widely varied career, both before and after that show. In particular I have been seeing her in older "western" shows, where she played a very different character type than "Barbara".

The same for Dana Elcar (Fred Reston), who I knew best from MacGyver (1985) as "Pete Thornton", and to a lesser extent, Antoinette Bower (Gail Mason) as "Sylvia" from Catspaw (1967). Both had big careers before and after those roles, which I can now see on the older shows.

I do think I saw both this episode and the one that follwed in their original broadcast. For all of season one of Mannix (1967), I was fascinated by Intertect and their computers.

It is funny that in a previous epuisode that Joseph Campanella (Lew Wickersham) was ridiculed for his boxing skills, but here he certainly managed his end of the fight. Perhaps he learned rapidly, or it was the medicine.

This was the second fight, the first that Mannix had with the men from the boat was also one of the more brutal of the show. Which is something, given the number of fights Mannix was involved in.

This episode, and at least one other season one episode, where Mannix talks about having an agency of his own, seem to hint at the future of the show where he actually does start his own private detective agency. It does make me wonder when the producers decided to make the change.

Btw, it is appreciated the amount of additional information some reviewers add. It enhances the viewing experience, even after watching some of these shows many times in re-runs.