The Night of the Burning Diamond (8 Apr. 1966)

Jim and Arte investigate the disappearance of the Kara diamond. They discover a sinister plot by Morgan Midas to use the stone to create an invisibility potion.

Director:

Irving J. Moore

Writers:

Michael Garrison (creator), Ken Kolb

Stars:

Robert Conrad, Ross Martin, Robert Drivas

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Robert Conrad	...	James T. West
Ross Martin	...	Artemus Gordon
Robert Drivas	...	Morgan Midas
Christiane Schmidtmer	...	Lucretia Ivronin
Dan Tobin	...	Thaddeus Baines
Vito Carbonara	...	Serbian Minister
Calvin Brown	...	Clive
Whitey Hughes	...	Rudd

Storyline

Jim and Arte investigate the disappearance of the Kara diamond. They discover a sinister plot by Morgan Midas to use the stone to create an invisibility potion.

---

Plot Keywords:

invisibility | potion | diamond | jail | investigation | 

---

Genres:

Action | Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller | Western

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 April 1966 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Sierra Railroad, Jamestown, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "chirping" noise sound effect that represents the speech of the slow moving people at the diamond exhibition is the same effect used for the communicators on Star Trek.

---

Goofs

The first time we see Midas, West and Gordon take the serum, all three of them wince as a spasm indicates that the formula is taking effect. Later, when Midas and West both take the elixir before their fight, they show no visible sign of it taking effect.

---

Quotes

Thaddeus Baines: Oh by the way, where is West today? I was told you two always work together.
Artemus Gordon: Well, we always do work together. Separately.

User Reviews

The Series Hits Its Stride

I always found the first season of WWW to be bit dull. I used to think it might be because it was in black & white, but on reviewing the DVDs I think the show was still waiting to find its tone. This episode shows the series definitely hitting its stride, with science fiction, action, mystery, international intrigue, and disguises wrapped around the story of a man who can steal diamonds without being seen - and beat up James West at the same time.

Best of all, they finally figured out how to handle Artemus Gordon's character. For a good portion of early episodes Ross Martin would hang around the edges of the story. Here he gets almost equal time with Conrad, and he does what he's supposed to do. He assumes disguises. He sets high-tech traps. He arranges diversions. They even know what he doesn't do. Arty has little taste for his partner's specialties like fighting outnumbered or pulling daring stunts. But they both do what they have to do to get the job done.

A stand-out is the performance of Robert Drivas as the boyishly handsome but coolly confident Morgan Midas.

Thrills and spills all the way!