Don't Mess Around with Jim (18 Nov. 1981)

Ralph and Bill are knocked out and the suit is taken by their abductors. They're brought some place and are taken to see that the man who abducted them is a millionaire who's suppose to ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert C. Thompson

Writers:

Stephen J. Cannell (creator), Stephen J. Cannell

Stars:

William Katt, Robert Culp, Faye Grant

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
William Katt	...	Ralph Hinkley
Robert Culp	...	Bill Maxwell
Faye Grant	...	Rhonda Blake
Michael Paré	...	Tony Villicana
Joseph Wiseman	...	James J. Beck
Stan Lachow	...	Jordan Heath
Luke Andreas	...	Jilly Mitchell
Byron Morrow	...	Marshall Dunn
Michael Alldredge	...	Vern
Bernard Behrens	...	Dr. Springfield
Jesse D. Goins	...	Cyler
Don Cervantes	...	Paco Rodriguez
W.T. Zacha	...	Greg Mathews
Fred Lerner	...	Mike
Jerry Dunphy	...	Himself

Storyline

Ralph and Bill are knocked out and the suit is taken by their abductors. They're brought some place and are taken to see that the man who abducted them is a millionaire who's suppose to have died recently. He reveals that he knows about the aliens and the suit. He tells them that he entrusted his doctor with his final will and testament which basically gives all of his fortune to charity. But the President of his company convinced the doctor to give him the will so that he could remain in control of the company. So he wants Ralph and Bill to get the will back. They're accompanied by the millionaire's confidant who tells them how the suit works.

---

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi

---

Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 November 1981 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stephen J. Cannell Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

49 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title is from the 1972 song "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" is a 1972 single by Jim Croce.

---

Soundtracks

"You Got The Power"
Written by Stephen Geyer
Performed by Joey Scarbury

User Reviews

Best Episode of Series

A lot of the episodes of this series have not held up really well. This one is an exception, as it is the best of the series.

JJ Beck (Joseph Wiseman aka Dr. No) was a reclusive millionaire (kind of like Howard Hughes) who had an airline, air craft company, etc. When Beck dies at the beginning of this show, it is said ON the news coverage that he always told people they could get ahead in life by "reading a book at the library every day" like he did.

Then a mystery starts to unfold as first Maxwell & then Ralph are kidnapped. They wind up in a private jet with Marshall, Becks assistant. The plane takes them to meet with the still alive Beck, who the media had dead premature. He faked his death because of corrupt people trying to steal the wealth of his empire.

Then the real twist, Beck used to have a super suit. He has kidnapped Ralph & Bill because he needs their help to stop the corrupt partner. They do this & then comes the fascinating sequence where those green guys visit & pick up Beck & Marshall & whisk them away.

Then there is a brilliant closing dialog between Ralph & Maxwell with Maxwell expressing his desire not to be snatched by those green guys. The dialog is so impromptu that you'd almost think the actors made it up & frames the most fascinating idea presented in the entire series.

To me, the parallels too Hughes, some great stunt work, and the ending make this the best show of the entire series. Strong quote from this episode - "Power Corrupts, Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely."