True, this episode is reminiscent of a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE episode that also starred Fritz Weaver as a very, very desperate character. Weaver was perfect in these type of roles, particularly on M. I., and great with accents. He would later co-star on ALL MY CHILDREN.
10 stars for Excitement.
It's all about the release of a deadly nerve gas (a hot topic even in today's news) plotted by a business man (Weaver), haunted by memories of Nazi death camps. The clever catch here --and misleading for Cannon -- is the suspect is an accountant for the chemical company. So Cannon actually does not realize what he's got himself up against. Not the first time Frank will be tricked, however this is probably the most volitile situation he faces.
You have to admit, yes, there is a LARGE dose of poetic license at work. This type of situation would have required Hazmat crews and emergency prepardness operations ASAP. Cannon is one heck of a lucky chap here, and we kids loved it!
This was filmed during the summer of 1971 at the famous Del Mar Fairgrounds, and writer Michael Gleason added some other interesting touches. A De Tomaso Patera GT coupe is on display (near the bomb!) The rare car today would be valued at around $130,000. The fairgrounds was founded in the 1930s by Bing Crosby. Good trivia question.
Some other big names here, such as Robert Webber (frequently cast on the series) whose long career dated back to the early days of tv. No question he worked for his old boss, William Conrad, at Warner Brothers tv back in the day. Future soap opera star Jeanne Crain (YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) plays a wisecracking landlady, and is fun.
At first, I thought it was Brett Somers from MATCH GAME! They looked very much alike. Brett did work for Quinn Martin (THE FUGITIVE) in the past and may have been asked.
Co-star Lynn Carlin a few years earlier was nominted for an Oscar in FACES, John Cassavetes first big film. Barney Phillips is faithfully cast as a cop. The only episode written by Michael Gleason, and he did an outstanding job. He is best known for his work on PEYTON PLACE.
Definitely has its moments and some nice on location work. Dec 1971 SEASON 1 EPISODE 13 remastered CBS/Paramount (2008) dvd box set. 4 discs. (11 hrs running time). The back cover photo is from the famous house explosion episode.