Cannon (TV Series) Perfect Alibi (1973) User Reviews

Yet another episode involving a crappy town in the middle of no where....

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 13 April 2017]

One of the most familiar clichés of 1970s detective shows is the crappy small town where everyone seems very corrupt and mighty unfriendly. I've seen dozens of episodes of shows like "Mannix", "Quincy" and "Cannon" with such hellish small towns...where it looks impossible for our hero to solve the crimes in such a hostile environment.

The reason Cannon goes to this small town is that a most unusual robbery occurred. A payroll was stolen and the only person who had the knowledge to do such a burglary is in prison! Could he somehow have gotten out of prison and back without being detected? Or, is there something else going on here?

The only thing I really did NOT understand is why Cannon didn't just leave the town and contact state authorities. After all, all the locals seem corrupt and dangerous...so how could he possibly win?! Still, it is compelling and interesting...and well worth seeing.

Great Story

[samwa-27311 · 9/10 · 16 March 2019]

Excellent. I like all the reviews posted by the other reviewer. As he indicates, this is a tale in a small town. It's true, there are dozens like this, Barnaby Jones; great ones from The Mod Squad; Mission Impossible; and many more, and invariably, almost all people in these towns, are phony, rude, corrupt, etc.

A real risk, even for a detective, but Cannon pursues this, because he wants to help his friend, and because of his commitment to succeed.

Stellar cast.

Story line moves along well, and in a logical pattern.

LOVE THE OPENING OF THIS EPISODE....

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 7 April 2022]

Classic CANNON. 10 Stars.

Frank is hired by an old pal (and a rich one at that) who flies him in on his private plane and picks him up in his red Caddy. It's sooo Hollywood, and smooth directing.

Tall and brooding Richard Anderson plays Ross, a gent with a problem. He explains that his office safe has been robbed of $50,000 -- by a guy still in prison? Its up to Frank to accept the mission, and it gets very interesting. Stay tuned as this will keep you entertained.

By the way... the 50 grand payroll today would be worth 344,000 dollars. Cannon will get a cut of that.

This is also a tribute to LQ Jones, who recently passed, playing the sheriff. He was great in a wide range of roles, always with that smart-guy smirk. As expected, his deputies hand out lots of parking tickets, and Cannon is NOT overlooked. Look for blonde Gloria LeRoy, who shot to fame around this time with her appearances (opposite Archie) on ALL IN THE FAMILY.

This is the only episode written by Jack Guss. Jack did it all, including long runs on TRAPPER JOHN and MEDICAL CENTER. However... his claim to fame was writing the cult Frank Sinatra film LADY IN CEMENT (1968). Do Not miss this film, and with Raquel Welch! Robert Douglas, William Conrad's old friend from Warner Brothers/ABC tv, returns to direct with style. He directed some of the best episodes of 77 SUNSET STRIP, if you ever get a chance to see them on METV.

Filmed in the beautiful small town of Piru, California, about 50 miles north of Los Angeles and 18 miles west of Santa Clarita. According to the 2010 censis, there was slightly over 2000 people living there. Could you imagine the population back in 1973? Piru, nevertheless, has been the setting for a multitude of tv shows and movies, and has the CHEAPEST home prices in southern California. Remember, an average house in LA costs about a half million bucks, give or take.

Not to forget. Cannon invites the sheriif to stop and see him in Hollywood some day, and PARK in front of his apartment building on Sunset Boulevard. The cops and tow truck companies will love him! Nice touch, and thank you to Jack Guss and Robert Douglas. A job well done.

SEASON 3 EPISODE 9 remastered CBS dvd box set. 2012.