Barnaby Jones (TV Series) Deadly Sanctuary (1978) User Reviews

Betty in peril... again

[muse-48720 · 6/10 · 2 October 2023]

I thought the other reviews that mentioned Betty constantly in jeopardy were an exaggeration until I began making my way through this series. Now I agree.

I realize this show is 50 years old and society and gender roles have changed, but Betty is really clueless. I've seen Lee Meriweather in many projects and always categorized her as one of those old classic Hollywood starlets. Seeing her in the "Betty" role has made me rethink this opinion.

"I'm alright, I can take care of myself" ... Famous last words from Betty in every Betty in peril episode. Clearly she can not because she makes every wrong decision that can be made.

BETTY, THE DETECTIVE, THE DECOY!

[tcchelsey · 9/10 · 2 April 2024]

Dedicated to all us Lee Meriwether fans. Lee is a super actress, much in the style of Gail Fisher on MANNIX. I think Lee had much larger roles than Gail Fisher at times, and this is one of them.

I do agree with the last reviewer, true, people who seem to know Betty get in deep trouble, but this is also a cop show. Sometimes you just have to ride with it, although this is a fairly good adventure with some excellent acting. Mann Rubin wrote the story, who had just finished an episode for PROJECT UFO. He also wrote for MANNIX and QUINCY.

Betty gets caught up in the case of a serial rapist, and actually has to go undercover to reveal the creep. Not an easy task, and especially while she's on vacation. The interesting bit here is the stalker may be one of the regulars who frequent a beach bar -- and everybody looks darn suspicious. Guessing the guilty party is not easy, and that's what makes it fun for all us armchair detectives.

The best, Leo Penn, directed this episode, who headed 10 episodes for the series, five for CANNON.

He's the reason why the acting is very good. Larry Linville (as Bill) returns to the series, also Stewart Moss (as Bill), who often reminded me of Bradford Dillman. Look for popular character actor Wayne Heffley, playing the sheriff. Wayne was a regular for years on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

Beautifully filmed at Santa Monica beach, a frequent hang out for Quinn Martin productiosn.

SEASON 7 EPISODE 3 remastered color CBS dvd box set. This box only features Barnaby on the cover! What happened to Betty and JR? 21 hrs. 6 dvd set 2018 release. The same box set style as CANNON and MANNIX.

Betty is a walking bad luck charm...and it's not a great episode.

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 2 August 2021]

While I really enjoy "Barnaby Jones", the show does have a few faults. One of them is that too many plots are about people who know Betty. Friends, family, acquaintances...all of them are in dire peril whenever they meet Betty! And, many of them die, get hurt badly or perpetrate deadly crimes! It's such an overused trope that you can't help but think that Betty is a walking, talking bad luck charm! And, because it happened too often, "Deadly Sanctuary" already has a strike against it.

The show begins with Betty at home...alone. But there is a knock on the door and there's a woman outside who says her car broke down and she wants to come inside. Betty is naturally suspicious...especially since she sees someone moving around in the bushes. So, she tells the woman she'll just call the local service station and have them send help...a reasonable reaction. But it turns out that an evil rapist is outside and the woman is attacked. As a result, Betty feels a bit guilty...though based on how the woman had been acting, Betty seemed justified.

What follows is mostly bad. Betty decides that it's her responsibility to find the rapist...and she thinks that a man already in prison for rape did not commit the rapes, as the recent ones have the same m.o.. So, she does what any dimwit would do...try to set herself up as the rapist's next target. Now THAT makes a lot of sense!!

During the course of the story, you get to see Betty act like she's drunk...and it's about as subtle as a brick upside the head! Also, there is the odd fact that EVERY guy she meets in this episode is creepy and acts guilty...except for the real rapist!! Overall, a badly written episode that also employs the series' worst trope.... Betty in trouble.