Adam-12 (TV Series) The Radical (1971) User Reviews

It's All "Cloak & Dagger" For Officers Reed And Malloy

[StrictlyConfidential · 6/10 · 30 October 2020]

Boy-oh-boy! Officers Reed and Malloy are sure busy cops these days.

Through some pertinent information (given by retired security guard, Fred Tibbles) Officer Malloy is tipped off to a rash of serious cargo thefts that have been regularly taking place down at the dockyards.

During a nighttime stake-out, Reed and Malloy try to nail a gang of ruthless truck high-jackers who have been eluding the law for quite some time now.

Meanwhile - Dangerous villain, Robin Saydo has been stockpiling firearms at a local, secluded warehouse.

Ruined by Bobby Conrad's amateur performance

[imdb-25288 · 4/10 · 25 June 2021]

Did anybody else cringe when he was onscreen? From his first scene he was so wooden and inept an actor. Did anyone see what I'm talking about? First, he's in profile, while the lieutenant talks to him. His entire face is frozen (in fear? Stage fright, that is). We see the silhouette, the shape of his mouth stays exactly the same, and one can feel the guy is just waiting for the other actor to be done. Even though it's in profile, he's bad: he barely breathes. Is he running his lines in his head? Is he waiting for his cue?

Next, he is filmed upfront, hands in his pockets, his facial expression is like he's intimidated by the uniform talking to him. (Conrad was always the shortest man in the room, that evidently got to him.) Hands in his pockets, he has no expression. This repeats when Reed talks to him, he's possibly "Ok, I'm their boss, I must remember that." or "I need to look taller" or "I wonder if there's any grilled yellow squash pizza left at the cafeteria?" He's just a non-existent entity who's body is there taking up room in the frame but not much else going on.

One wonder how he made a career like that, starring in 2 of his own series. Never liked the guy, but I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. Nope. He doesn't have a bad face, but guy can't act. At least he wasn't busy offing innocent drivers at that moment, so there's that going for him. I think 4 stars is plenty generous for this title. What about you?