The Sicilian Encounter (20 May 1990)

Cross, double-cross, and triple-cross as Michael Hagarty and representatives of other governments try to elicit information and money from a Mafia family.

Director:

Kevin G. Cremin

Writers:

Peter S. Fischer (creator), Richard Levinson (creator),

Stars:

Angela Lansbury, Vincent Baggetta, Joseph Cali

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Angela Lansbury	...	Jessica Fletcher
Vincent Baggetta	...	Antonio Carboni
Joseph Cali	...	Priest
Len Cariou	...	Michael Hagarty / Monsignore O'Shaugnessy
George DiCenzo	...	Mario Carboni (as George Dicenzo)
Deidre Hall	...	Claudia Carboni / Jennifer Paige
Robert Miranda	...	Gino Carboni
Ian Ogilvy	...	Peter Baines
John Standing	...	Chief Daniel Trent
Daniel Trent	...	Barton
Ralph Manza	...	Father Anselmo
Daniel Anderson	...	Korshack (as Daniel Douglas Anderson)
Daniel Douglas Anderson	...	Korshack
Ralph De Lia	...	Pilot (as Ralph DeLia)
Anthony De Fonte	...	Tailor (as Anthony DeFonte)

Storyline

Jessica reads from a letter her British intelligence (MI-6) friend Michael Hagarty wrote of his adventure in Palermo, Sicily. He posed as Monsignor O'Shaugnessy, envoy of the Boston archdiocese, to attend the wedding of "gentleman" Peter Baines to young mob widow Claudia Carboni. (Peter looks remarkably like his brother Harold, a former MI-6 agent himself.) After her Carboni in-laws stab to death a young man believed to be posing as relative Gino, the couple accepts an on-the-spot wedding by O'Shaughnessy, so that all three can fly to Geneva and empty Claudia's late first husband's numbered Swiss bank account. In Switzerland, Haggerty and the widow confront each other, recalling a deal: she can keep the money if London gets a certain black notebook. Haggerty and Baines, who had likewise guessed Haggerty's imposture, also confront each other over poor Harold and other matters. (No "wedding night," boy-o, until business is done.) The Cabrinos and the C.I.A. show up, and everyone fights ...

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Plot Keywords:

dinner | false identity | bathrobe | ritual | fight | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 May 1990 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Alverno High School - 200 North Michillinda Avenue, Sierra Madre, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

"He Feigns Identity, Across the Sea, to Sicily, and Melee"

Season Six concludes with this "Book-end" episode, which closely trails Season Six's opener, each featuring British MI6 Agent Michael Hagarty (Len Cariou), this time around, however not starring Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), who appears to introduce the episode via correspondence from Hagarty.

Debonair Ian Ogilvy accomplishes a rare feat of portraying two "non-recurring" characters during the same "MSW" season (as very few other performers also manage this achievement). Ian performs as a Hagarty associate in "An Appointment in Athens (#6.1)," as well as a different fortune-hunting character in "The Sicilian Encounter (#6.22)," an occurrence which the narrative explains.

Gracious Deidre Hall performs the leading lady role, or, perhaps the dual role of Claudia Carboni and Jennifer Paige, which leads to the suspense surrounding her espionage activities in Sicily and Switzerland, along her trail of "the little black book," which various agents intend to procure from her possession should this wealthy widow manage to retrieve this.

Hagarty, likewise, goes under cover, this time presenting himself as Monsignore O'Shaugnessy, a Roman Catholic clergyman of the Boston Diocese, of Massachusetts, as he infiltrates the Carboni syndicate family, which scrutinizes the every move of young widow Claudia Carboni, while Hagarty and Peter Baines each has plans of his own to pursue Claudia's trail.

Mario Carboni (George DiCenzo), Gino Carboni (Robert Miranda) and Antonio Carboni (Vincent Baggetta) comprise the core of the Carboni syndicate, which crosses tracks with Hagarty and company, who attempt to double-cross in turn. (Although this series displays kindness and understanding to various ethnic groups, a few, as Italian, Russian and Cambodian characters, seem rather exempt from its graces.)

Hagarty, or Monsignore O'Shaugnessy, associates with Father Anselmo (Ralph Manza) and Priest (Joseph Cali), while reporting to MI6 Chief Daniel Trent (John Standing), in charge of the international intelligence operation in play.

Barton (Daniel Trent), Korshack (Daniel Douglas Anderson) and Llewellyn (James Garrett) are stationed in various locations, as Peter and Claudia fly from Palermo, Sicily, Italy, into Geneva, Switzerland, on the trail of that "little black book."

But when a stabbing occurs, murder complicates the plot of international intrigue, and Hagarty is forced to confront a killer before it is two late to resolve "The Sicilian Encounter."

The cast is rounded out by Marianne Bergonzi as Woman, Gina Minervini as Maid, Ralph De Lia as Pilot, Anthony De Fonte as Tailor, Stephen Poletti as Bank Clerk, Jovin Montanaro as Bellman, and Steve Natole as Waiter.

This episode represents the first acting appearance each by Marianne Bergonzi, Daniel Douglas Anderson/Daniel Anderson and Stephen Poletti, and the most recent appearance to date each by Ralph De Lia and Steve Natole.

This also marks the the second of two "MSW" appearances for John Standing, the second of three for Joseph Cali, the third of three for Vincent Baggetta, the second of five for Ian Ogilvy, the fourth of six for George DiCenzo, and the fifth of seven "MSW's" for Len Cariou (each in his role as British MI6 Agent Michael Hagarty).

Ralph Manza, acting on television and in film since 1955, and Daniel Trent, acting since 1976, have unfortunately since passed.