Sean Penn's famous dad, Leo, directed this episode. He began his career in westerns and there's no question he worked with Bill Conrad at Warner Brothers/ABC TV. Penn also had a hand in scores of cop shows, so he was right at home with this material.
Despite the critical reviews, I disagree, and tag this a very interesting story, also taking a different slant for the series. It deals with the Chinese Tongs, a crime family, wrongly implicated in the death of a man. The victim here may have been killed by someone else, cleverly posing as a member of the group. There's also an heiress to a fortune.
This story is similar to a KUNG FU or HAWAII FIVE O episode, and could have been a proposed script that was never completed. That said, with the 70s dominated with the GODFATHER and close knit Italian families, why not shed some light on Asian and Oriental crime families?
The supporting cast (as always) is excellent. One of the best dramatic actresses of the 70s, Diana Hyland plays Nedra. Hyland had a recurring role (as Susan) on PEYTON PLACE, and before this episode appeared in HARRY O and MANNIX. Also Lithuanian born actor Kaz Garas plays Rod, often seen on HAWAII FIVE O. Look for Jenny Sullivan, popular on many tv shows.
Best of the best is wise old Keye Luke who Cannon seeks advice from. Keye, fondly remembered for playing CHARLIE CHAN'S famous Number One Son, later played the Oriental detective on tv.
By the way, the Melting Man (not a science fiction character) is actually a melting snowman with a knife in it, meant to be a warning. Beware!
SEASON 5 EPISODE 10 remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd box set. 7 dvds, making this the largest box set, and expensive at times. Released 2016.
Despite the critical reviews, I disagree, and tag this a very interesting story, also taking a different slant for the series. It deals with the Chinese Tongs, a crime family, wrongly implicated in the death of a man. The victim here may have been killed by someone else, cleverly posing as a member of the group. There's also an heiress to a fortune.
This story is similar to a KUNG FU or HAWAII FIVE O episode, and could have been a proposed script that was never completed. That said, with the 70s dominated with the GODFATHER and close knit Italian families, why not shed some light on Asian and Oriental crime families?
The supporting cast (as always) is excellent. One of the best dramatic actresses of the 70s, Diana Hyland plays Nedra. Hyland had a recurring role (as Susan) on PEYTON PLACE, and before this episode appeared in HARRY O and MANNIX. Also Lithuanian born actor Kaz Garas plays Rod, often seen on HAWAII FIVE O. Look for Jenny Sullivan, popular on many tv shows.
Best of the best is wise old Keye Luke who Cannon seeks advice from. Keye, fondly remembered for playing CHARLIE CHAN'S famous Number One Son, later played the Oriental detective on tv.
By the way, the Melting Man (not a science fiction character) is actually a melting snowman with a knife in it, meant to be a warning. Beware!
SEASON 5 EPISODE 10 remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd box set. 7 dvds, making this the largest box set, and expensive at times. Released 2016.