Cannon (TV Series) The House of Cards (1976) User Reviews

NICE WORK... IF YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH IT!

[tcchelsey · 9/10 · 17 December 2022]

Great episode with Pernell Roberts, unfortunately his only series appearance. Before BONANZA, Pernell worked with William Conrad over at Warner Brothers/ABC tv, and with some other folks in this cast. Another WB reunion.

Roberts actually plays two parts --a wanted con-man (believed dead) and a well known publisher; what separates the two is a wig and a beard. I agree with the last few reviewers, there are shades of a Clark Kent/Superman makeover, however, the story nevertheless is quite good. Credit Robert I. Holt, who went on to write many episodes for ADAM 12.

It all begins with the man's wife, Madge (played by Martine Bartlett) who hires Cannon to look into the mysterious case, which all comes down to lots of cold cash. It always does, right? If you watch this scene carefully, you can see Martine and Bill Conrad are old friends. And having some quality time together. As it comes out, Roberts' downfall is he played everybody for a fool, except, perhaps Madge and Cannon. Robert Holt put this all together very well.

Katherine Justice makes her third series appearance, this time as a news reporter called Julie. She later appeared in Conrad's next detective show NERO WOLFE. Dabney Coleman also returns to the series (best as suspicious characters) and Robert Pine plays the sheriff, a role that may have lead to his casting in CHIPS.

Watch for veteran actress Tina Menard (as Consuela), who plays a cook and maid and offers some mighty fine Mexican food to Cannon. Yes, Tina was another WB alum; Bill Conrad directed her in TEMPLE HOUSTON and other tv westerns. Her career spanned back to the early 1930s.

Well directed by Kenneth Gilbert, though his only episode. He headed many episodes for BARNABY JONES. Regis Cordic, well known Hollywood DJ and voice actor, plays Jason. He often made a terrific villain.

Madge gets the last laugh at the end. We all felt sorry for Madge! Martine Bartlett would next appear as Sally Field's troubled mother in SYBIL, a role that brought her critical acclaim. One of the most powerful movies of the 70s.

Cannon tears up his check in this one, just like Joe Mannix. No big surprise as he did it before. Personally, I think the gang had a lot of fun putting this together.

SEASON 5 EPISODE 18 January 1976. CBS remastered dvd box set.

Sometimes a script is easier to swallow if you like one of the stars

[glitterrose · 8/10 · 29 June 2022]

But it still won't keep you from snarking the holes in the plot line.

Okay, I go into this episode saying the above and pointing out I like Pernell Roberts and he's the one I'm talking about in the header. Do I think this episode was interesting? Yeah. It held my attention and it wasn't a case of being bored through the whole episode or thinking the episode was dragging.

I know people have already pointed out the comedy of Pernell's character trying this whole charade of being two different people and looking so different by shaving his beard off and putting a toupee on.

I think I also want to point out something involving pictures. I DO think it's believable to be dealing with somebody that doesn't leave a huge trail when it concerns having pictures taken of you. It was pointed out Mr. Cleary avoided pictures but his wife was able to sneak and get a picture of him and she clearly had it in a photo album and was able to show it to Cannon. Isn't it funny that lone picture of Mr. Cleary didn't make it to a newspaper article to begin with? Although I don't think I'd be able to refrain from laughing if the picture had ran and you had other characters debating 'those two men don't look a thing alike!' when the only difference is hair and a beard.

There's something else I like about the episode. I'm not familiar enough with Cannon to know if this is something he does regularly or not. I enjoy Mannix and it's a running joke when Mannix didn't get paid for a case. Mrs. Cleary paid Cannon and he tore her check up as he's criticizing Mr. Cleary after he got served divorce papers. Cannon told him his wife was a nice lady and don't contest the divorce. I just think it was nice of Cannon to tear the check up. It totally wouldn't happen outside of a tv show but it was still nice to see.

Anyway, I do think this episode is worth recommending. Whether you're a fan of one of the guest stars or even if you're having a stressful day and just want to snark at some of the plot holes.

Pernell Roberts gets de-wigged.

[heateraka · 10/10 · 20 January 2022]

This is a ten for sure. It's worth watching just to see the scene where Cannon snatches the wig off his head! One of the greatest scenes from the series. Don't miss this one. It is a great mystery too. Classic Cannon.

Great story, other than the same goofy idea that was used in another Cannon show.

[FloridaFred · 6/10 · 7 January 2021]

If you read the storyline on IMDb, then you already know who the culprit is and how the story ends (way to go, IMDb).

As another reviewer points out, the "Superman analogy" is correct. Nobody notices that the accountant and the newspaper editor are the same guy, because he puts on a wig and shaves off his beard? And especially a handsome guy like Pernell Roberts? Not likely. (This is not the only Cannon show which features someone who magically changes their appearance by wearing a wig. "Where's Jennifer" from Season 3 uses the same ploy).

Other than that major failing, this is a fairly enjoyable show. The players include a washed-out astronaut fronting some real estate land swindlers, an over-eager news reporter (actress Katherine Justice as "Julie Foster"), a Sheriff who is not on the level, and a Mexican housekeeper who cooks tasty tortillas. We also see Frank Cannon doing some mighty fine shooting with a .12 gauge pump shotgun.

Wish I could rate this higher, but I can only give it 6 stars because of the wig issue.

"Wow, Clark Kent is Superman...I never would have guessed!"

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 14 August 2018]

I used the quote above because like the old Superman comics and TV show, I always laughed how with just a pair of glasses, Clark Kent (or Diana Prince) completely hid the fact he was Superman!! This is because throughout much of "The House of Cards", folks are looking for a supposed dead man when he's been hiding among them in plain site! Pernell Roberts plays both this wanted man and a newspaper publisher....and no one saw any similarity even though they looked nearly the same but one wore a wig!! Hilariously silly....which is why I score this one only a 3. Don't base your show on a shabby gimmick like this!