In the shows from the 1960's, 70's etc., it's fun to see familiar faces in shows such as Cannon. Often you would see the same actors appearing on Barnaby Jones, or Ironside, or maybe Gunsmoke. In this episode the two guest performers who stand out the most are Clu Gulager and Joan Van Ark. Both are very good here.
William Conrad as usual is tough, determined yet very likeable as Cannon. He was one of the best TV detectives. The plot of this episode is good and keeps your interest. It is interesting to see Cannon looking over the wreckage of a small plane, because as a young man in World War II, a much thinner William Conrad was a US fighter pilot! He also directed movies and TV shows before this series, and he was one of the busiest radio actors in the later 1940's and 1950's, and one of the best too. He had a very strong persona, or screen presence, as Cannon. A true Greatest Generation guy. He always gave a good performance as Cannon.
3 Reviews
Decent...and you get to see Joan Van Ark!
planktonrules30 May 2013
"Country Blues" is an interesting episode of "Cannon"--plus you get to see a pre-Star Wars Mark Hamill as well as Joan Van Ark (don't tell my wife about this part--she'll be jealous).
The show begins with a country music star getting on a small plane for some trip (pay attention to his car--it is SOMETHING!). Soon, you see the plan careen out of control and it crashes--killing the star and severely injuring the pilot. When Cannon is sent to investigate, he finds two odd things--there was only one parachute AND the cords to it had all been cut! Obviously, this was no accident. But who would want to kill the musician....or, possibly, there was some other reason for the accident.
This is a pretty good episode of this detective series. While the plot became a bit complicated, I liked the story and thought it was a pretty good story overall. Not great, but very good.
The show begins with a country music star getting on a small plane for some trip (pay attention to his car--it is SOMETHING!). Soon, you see the plan careen out of control and it crashes--killing the star and severely injuring the pilot. When Cannon is sent to investigate, he finds two odd things--there was only one parachute AND the cords to it had all been cut! Obviously, this was no accident. But who would want to kill the musician....or, possibly, there was some other reason for the accident.
This is a pretty good episode of this detective series. While the plot became a bit complicated, I liked the story and thought it was a pretty good story overall. Not great, but very good.
A CLEVER COLUMBO CONNECTION AT WORK HERE?
tcchelsey5 January 2023
Allen Reisner, who directed five episodes for the series, had fun with this classic story. Allen would go on to direct some of the best episodes of HAWAII FIVE O in the 70s. His list of credits was enormous.
10 STARS. No less.
Take note; If you're a COLUMBO fan, you may recall an intriguing episode called SWAN SONG, starring Johnny Cash. Cash played a "ladies man" country singer who kills his wife in a plane crash. In this case... a country singer is killed in a plane crash (a reversal of fortune) however... a parachute is the main talking point in both stories. This is a terrific mystery which finds Cannon, working for an insurance company, trying to find out who did what to who and the proverbial WHY?
This was the first appearance of Joan Van Ark (KNOTS LANDING). Joan was in numerous cop shows early in her career, her first being FELONY SQUAD on ABC. We also get an early glimpse of super star Mark Hamill (LUKE SKYWALKER) who prior to this episode, had a small part in the PARTRIDGE FAMILY at age 19.
Clu Gulager, who worked for his old boss, William Conrad, on many western tv shows at Warner Brothers/ABC, plays BJ. Definitely the one to watch. Clu was a natural actor. Likewise, David Huddleston guest stars, a popular character actor in a wide range of roles. Watch him in the BIG LEBOWSKI (1998). He is a hoot.
By the way, you can hear the instrumental version of the John Denver song, TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS. The song peaked at No. 2 on the charts in April, 1971. The song would turn up in other episodes. Someone liked that song.
To note... Bill Conrad, smoking a pipe and all dressed up in some scenes, looks like a movie director! He looked like the boss. It's hard to break old habits!
Do not miss this one, especially to see Mark Hamill as a farm hand. Many tv and movie stars owe a lot to CANNON. That's the best story of all.
SEASON 1 EPISODE 4 off and running. Remastered 2008 CBS and Paramount dvd box set #1 of 2 containing 4 discs.
CBS dvd box set.
10 STARS. No less.
Take note; If you're a COLUMBO fan, you may recall an intriguing episode called SWAN SONG, starring Johnny Cash. Cash played a "ladies man" country singer who kills his wife in a plane crash. In this case... a country singer is killed in a plane crash (a reversal of fortune) however... a parachute is the main talking point in both stories. This is a terrific mystery which finds Cannon, working for an insurance company, trying to find out who did what to who and the proverbial WHY?
This was the first appearance of Joan Van Ark (KNOTS LANDING). Joan was in numerous cop shows early in her career, her first being FELONY SQUAD on ABC. We also get an early glimpse of super star Mark Hamill (LUKE SKYWALKER) who prior to this episode, had a small part in the PARTRIDGE FAMILY at age 19.
Clu Gulager, who worked for his old boss, William Conrad, on many western tv shows at Warner Brothers/ABC, plays BJ. Definitely the one to watch. Clu was a natural actor. Likewise, David Huddleston guest stars, a popular character actor in a wide range of roles. Watch him in the BIG LEBOWSKI (1998). He is a hoot.
By the way, you can hear the instrumental version of the John Denver song, TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS. The song peaked at No. 2 on the charts in April, 1971. The song would turn up in other episodes. Someone liked that song.
To note... Bill Conrad, smoking a pipe and all dressed up in some scenes, looks like a movie director! He looked like the boss. It's hard to break old habits!
Do not miss this one, especially to see Mark Hamill as a farm hand. Many tv and movie stars owe a lot to CANNON. That's the best story of all.
SEASON 1 EPISODE 4 off and running. Remastered 2008 CBS and Paramount dvd box set #1 of 2 containing 4 discs.
CBS dvd box set.
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