At the start of a long weekend, off to a fishing vacation with friend Tony Elliott, Mannix stops at Tonys office so Tony can pick up a set of fishing flies. They walk in on a methodical heis... Read allAt the start of a long weekend, off to a fishing vacation with friend Tony Elliott, Mannix stops at Tonys office so Tony can pick up a set of fishing flies. They walk in on a methodical heist of the businesses in the building. Mannix is trapped in the building, playing a cat and ... Read allAt the start of a long weekend, off to a fishing vacation with friend Tony Elliott, Mannix stops at Tonys office so Tony can pick up a set of fishing flies. They walk in on a methodical heist of the businesses in the building. Mannix is trapped in the building, playing a cat and mouse game with the three burglars.
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Did you know
- TriviaBill Bixby was not only a guest star, but also was a director in this and three other times.
- GoofsMannix uses 3 different 1974 Camaros in this episode. While driving to the Warren Building with Tony Elliot he is driving a fairly stock Type LT (badging on the "B" pillar). Upon arrival at the Warren Building he is still driving a Type LT but it appears that the chrome drip rail trim extends on to the "B" pillar. This configuration was not available from the factory. Later when Mannix uses the car as a battering ram in the parking garage, no Type LT badging nor the extended trim are present.
- Quotes
Tony Elliott: [arrives at a bar and meets with Joe] Hi.
Joe Mannix: Tony! Hey, not bad, 48 minutes. Tell me something, Tony, when you were born, were you on time?
Tony Elliott: Two weeks late.
Joe Mannix: Yeah, well, at least there is some improvement.
Tony Elliott: Well, thank you very much. Uh, Harry, two more of the same, please. I'm really sorry, Joe.
Joe Mannix: Yeah, well, what is it this time?
Tony Elliott: It was business.
Joe Mannix: No kidding.
Tony Elliott: Yes. No, really, I'm talking about to make a big killing with some international wheeler-dealers.
Joe Mannix: Oh, how exciting - big finance.
Tony Elliott: Yes. Yeah, well, I admit that the precious metals business is not as glamorous as yours. I mean, no one takes shots at me, but my business is tricky. It's true. Do you know that I have to be nice to some big money men that you would throw right out of your office?
Joe Mannix: Well, if they were big money men like you, I'd do it very gently.
Tony Elliott: You're a nice man. Joe, uh, the reason I called you... I'm starting to get a little tired of the...
[clears throat]
Tony Elliott: ... the wheeler-dealer business, and I thought maybe... well, maybe we could take a couple of days off, go fishing.
Joe Mannix: Yeah, well, right about now, I could use that, too.
Tony Elliott: All right, suppose I called old man Anderson and just said, "Tell those fish we're on our way"?
Joe Mannix: Sounds so great.
Tony Elliott: Oh, great. Harry, give me the phone, will you, please?
Joe Mannix: Hey, no, now, wait a minute. I... I just can't do it.
Tony Elliott: Why?
Joe Mannix: Well, uh, I'm wrapping up a case. I've got to hang in there for an important phone call.
Tony Elliott: A phone call?
Joe Mannix: Yeah.
Tony Elliott: Joe, uh...
[clears throat]
Tony Elliott: ... I don't want to stun you or anything, but do you know that the phone company now has telephones everywhere?
Joe Mannix: Mm.
Tony Elliott: Yes, yes. So couldn't Peggy take the message and then put the call through to the lodge?
Joe Mannix: Hey, we did get pretty lucky last year, didn't we?
Tony Elliott: You did, but this is my year, Joe. I went out and bought a whole bunch of new flies.
Joe Mannix: You're kidding.
Tony Elliott: Ah, they're beautiful.
Joe Mannix: Why not, huh? You're on.
Tony Elliott: Okay, good. I will be at you're office Saturday morning, 10:00 sharp.
Joe Mannix: Sharp?
Tony Elliott: Sharp.
Joe Mannix: I'll lay eight to five.
Tony Elliott: Eight to five, huh?
Bill Bixby, who also directed a few episodes, does one solid acting job here. Bill will always be remembered for playing the goofy reporter on MY FAVORITE MARTIAN, however, he drops the comedy routine and turns in one heck of a performance. An about face.
Here, Mannix and his old bud (Bixby) are about to go fishing when they take a detour (naturally) and wind up in an office building that is being robbed. Robert Hamner was quite inventive here, conveniently locking them into a huge vault, which also happens to have been designed by Bixby?
There are shades of DIE HARD, produced many years later for the wide screen, where the building is also under siege. In fact, this episode may have inspired the Bruce Willis film.
One thing about this show, there were lots of extremely clever villains at large. Classic example of creative writing 101. Additionally, shades of MISSION IMPOSSIBLE at play; Joe working on the intricate lock system from the inside, which is as fascinating as it is do-able. In fact, Hamner sheds light on an unexplored theory concerning vault locks. He did his homework.
The "hunt" inside the building is exceptionally directed, guaranteed to hold your attention. All I could tell you is the ending packs a whallop. Never thought it would pan out this way. The camera work will take your breath away.
Brings back lots of memories for all of us kids who first saw it telecast in the 70s. Watch the interaction between Mannix and Malcolm at the close. Superb acting. You can see Mike Connors was genuinely struck by this sobering scene. All cast members are to be congratulated.
SEASON 8. CBS/Paramount remastered color dvd box set. The classic final season collectors edition. Well worth buying.
- tcchelsey
- Mar 16, 2022