Mannix (TV Series) Wine from These Grapes (1971) User Reviews

Joe visits home once again...

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 29 November 2014]

Early in the series, Mannix visited his father, Stefan (Victor Jory) and you learn that he and his father have a stormy relationship because Joe didn't want to work on the family vineyard but be a cool private eye. Now, his dad asks him to return to sort out a recent murder, as he believes that the man accused of the killing is innocent. However, there are LOTS of false leads, attempts on Mannix's life and twists. All in all, it's a decent episode--made a bit better due to some nice guest stars--including Anthony Caruso, Marion Ross as well as Jory.

Why did I give this one an 8? Well, despite a plot that seems a bit overly complicated, the show has some nice story elements and is interesting throughout.

Joe Mannix turns into Paul Drake

[Guad42 · 8/10 · 10 August 2022]

Joe returns to his hometown to assist a defense lawyer in defending Juan Esparza (Frank Ramirez) who is charged with murdering a man, George Nelson, in the middle of a local labor dispute. The town toughs who work for local bigwig grower, Charlie Apellini (Anthony Caruso), have it in for Joe as the dead man was the brother of one of them, Harry Nelson (James Daris). Joe also visits his father (Victor Jory). As the plot moves along, Joe endures a couple of shotgun blasts while at his dad's place and a bomb exploding while he is with the sheriff (Perry Lopez). The bomb nearly kills Juan Esparza in his jail cell, but they all pretend he is dead to take the heat off. A couple of complications are Apellini's cheating wife (Francine York) and a boy (Fabian Gregory) who goes off the rails in defense of Juan. Harry, the brother of the dead man, is behind the violence, and it ends up in a face-off between him and Joe, as we knew it would. Joe wins the fight but then the boy shows up with a gun to kill the Harry Nelson and Joe has to talk some sense into him. Turns out the boy killed George Nelson for maltreating his sister. Joe gets the gun from the boy. The ending is bittersweet, but we are led to believe the kid will get off.

The acting is first rate. Marion Ross as the wife's sister has a nice scene. Victor Jory is an old pro, as is Caruso. The kid Fabian Gregory is good in a critical role. Perry Lopez is fine playing a small-town sheriff who is a Mannix ally for one of the few times in the series.

We get to hear some Armenian spoken and see a warmer relationship between Joe and his father. Of course, Joe is not paid again but he is rarely paid these days. He is not knocked out or shot so a big win for our guy. Good episode. Do see it.

Apparently, you can go home again

[KatieBell230 · 9/10 · 27 March 2023]

Apparently, you can go home again This is Joe's second trip home, and this time he is welcomed by the father from whom he was previously estranged at the start of Season 3's Return to Summer Grove. Mannix has returned at the invitation of a prominent Armenian defense attorney who is also a good friend. A beloved local labor leader, Juan Esparza, is accused of murder and the case against him looks grim. A 14-year -old boy, Jose Alonzo, hero worships Esparza and is also a surrogate son and vineyard helper to Joe's father. Jose's sister Maria had been brutally beaten and raped by the man whom Esparza was supposed to have murdered. Figure in the town's biggest grower and his hot-to-trot new wife and you've got a whole pool of suspects in a neighborhood where temperatures are running high. As usual, there's a lot to keep track of.

Before the first commercial, Joe has already confronted three angry young hoods who want him to go back to Los Angeles. In short order, he is shot at through the window of his father's house, nearly run down by two large tractors, and engages in prolonged hand-to hand combat with the dead man's brother. Plenty of action for those who like that. The small-town chief of police is on Mannix's side this time, though, and we are kept guessing till the end on the real murderer.

Victor Jory returns as Mannix, Sr and does very well. Look for a great bit by Marion Ross pre-Happy Days. The real charm of this episode is seeing Joe in his hometown - that picture on his father's mantel looks to be Mike Connors' own mother. Joe handles the brutal beating and rape of Jose's sister too casually for my taste, ("she's fine, Jose") but if you insist on modern sensibilities, you shouldn't watch 70's television. Instead of the usual anonymous hit men, we know who is trying to take Mannix out. This particular show is personal in many ways - it is rare to get any part of Joe's family backstory. This episode is part of the Mannix canon. Don't miss it.

WINE AND MURDER... FROM THESE GRAPES?

[tcchelsey · 9/10 · 9 May 2023]

Joe goes back home again, to the grape farm he grew up on in Fresno, California. His dad (played by Victor Jory) is a widower and is still not too keen about his son leaving the farm for LA. His detective work does comes in handy, though, when a local Armenian defense attorney (played by Booth Colman) asks him to investigate the murder case against labor leader Juan Esparza, well played by Colombian actor Frank Ramirez.

Tag this another one of those small town mysteries where all the locals look suspicious, but you can't turn down a father and son reunion in the middle of it all. Right? And not to forget that Mike Connors was of Armenian descent, and occasionally will mention some wise, old Armenian sayings or cliches.

There's an excellent cast here; veteran heavy Anthony Caruso as Charlie and film and tv actress Francine York (as Helen). Also look for Marion Ross, playing Jean, who appeared in many dramatic roles, long before HAPPY DAYS. Best of the best is Victor Jory, one of the original cast members from GONE WITH THE WIND. Jory was born and raised in Canada, generally playing bad guys, such as in the HOPALONG CASSIDY westerns. His terrific voice was put to good use through the years as a narrator for films and documentaries.

Some very nice scenery here between punches.

Written by David Vowell, who worked a lot for producer Jack Webb, series writer for ADAM 12 and DARGNET 1967 and 68. SEASON 5 EPISODE 4 CBS/Paramount remastered color dvd box set.

Good acting wins the day!

[george_cherucheril · 9/10 · 8 April 2024]

Overall, this is a nice Mannix episode. The story line is reasonably strong enough to stand on it's own despite some plot holes. Ultimately, the acting makes this episode work. Despite the flaws in Mannix episodes, overall the acting is usually good.

Another, Mannix practice is that he usually works cases for free. In this episode it is unclear if he is being paid for his services. The writers were lazy about this point and should have written it clearly to show Mannix is being paid to make the story more believable.

Leo Kollligian, played by Booth Colman has asked Mannix to come home to the small town of Summer Grove and help clear Juan Esparza whom he believes is innocent. This was Colman's final Mannix appearance. Here his role is to give Mannix the reason to return home and be someone who Mannix could speak to in Armenian. It's sad that Mannix only came home to do work but not for vacation to spend time with his poor Dad!

It's nice to see Mannix's Dad Stefan back again for his second and final time. Victor Jory is much better this time displaying depth and compassion. I like that his relationship with Mannix has improved. It's too bad they did not have him return in a recurring role and visit Mannix in Los Angeles. "The Rockford Files" did a great job using the father son relationship in its stories. This was a lost opportunity. Jory really looks like the farmer he plays and someone who could be Mannix's Dad.

"Happy Days" Mamma, Marion Ross is back in a minor supporting role as Jean Broderick. What is ironic, is that Ross played Lurene Warenski when Mannix made his first visit back home in the 1969, season three, episode three. Lurene and Mannix knew each other well. They went to high school together and Lurene dated his best friend Troy. One difference between Lurene and Jean is that Jean did not live in Summer Grove. Mannix had to leave Summer Grove to question her in Fresno. It's surprising that Mannix did not realize he was talking to Lurene! When Mannix aired there was no way to record the episode and watch it again so many people probably missed this irony.

Anthony Caruso excels as Charlie Apellini who is actually quite nice to Mannix despite being under heavy suspicion for murder because of his power and influence. Mannix really has his guard up with Charlie. At the end, Charlie is one of the good guys.

Fabian Gregory gives a fine performance as Jose Alonzo. He is sympathetic and is not annoying as some child actors tend to be. Frank Ramirez and Harry Nelson are adequate in their roles though they do not excel.

Francine York is the eye candy who flirts with Mannix but she is Helen Apellini the wife of Charlie so we know there will be no hanky-panky with Mannix. Shoot, this does not matter. Mannix never ends up with the woman!

When Mannix visits his Dad at home someone decides to send him a message and shoots out one of the windows and his windshield. I don't know how Mannix can afford car insurance because his car is always being damaged. He has to borrow his Dad's' truck and later Sheriff Cisco Madeiros' personal car. Perry Lopez was good in his role as the Sheriff who believes in Mannix. He assumed the role from Valentin de Vargas who played it in the 1969 episode when Mannix went home. De Vargas was also good in the role. Because it was a supporting role, viewers probably did not notice the change.

When Mannix gets out of Sheriff Cisco's car to confront Harry a shot is fired at him but misses. Harry was hiding out and well positioned to hit Mannix. In typical Mannix fashion he misses! This allows Mannix to run and hide. Mannix is then able to outsmart Harry and take his gun.

I love catching up on the Mannix episodes because they were broadcast around the time I was born. I was born in June 1969 after the second season of Mannix had aired. It's so fun to see how the world looked back then before the stagnation of the mid 1970s set it. Besides Mike Connors there were many good actors. I wish the writers would have treated Joe Mannix better. Each episode has him in impossible situations, lucky the gun shot which should have hit him missed, waking up at 100 percent strength after being drugged, knocked out or hit in the head just before someone attempts to kill him, being able to keep his business going despite hardly ever being paid, avoiding eviction from his apartment/office despite the violence he brings in and keeping his car insurance despite the many claims he has had to file. The number one mistreatment of Joe Mannix was constantly keeping him in action fighting off nearly fatal situations but never having any down time to enjoy the company of a nice woman! I am amazed that Joe did not suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome of suffer the effects of being hit the head one times too many!