10 Stars. Watch this.
For all of us teens growing up in the 1970s, Jamie Smith Jackson (who was in her 20s at the time) was a hero for her portrayal as the drug addicted teen victim in GO ASK ALICE, an outstanding tv movie, way ahead of its time. It was the talk of every high school across the country.
Jaime co-starred in this episode, not too long after her landmark appearance which also headlined the Emmy Awards. Major Hollywood stuff. She also appeared in SATAN'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, a creepy movie of the week on ABC, which always turns up around Halloween.
This episode had to have been a Neilson Mega hit in the Top 10 shows of the week. A very smart move by producer Quinn Martin.
Solid adventure, boasting a memorable cast, lead by menacing John Vernon, caught up in the mysterious disappearance of an airplane carrying three million dollars. Everyone looks guilty (even Jaimie at the beginning). At first... you actually think she had
something to do with it. Cannon has his doubts, but not for long. Let's face it, it would be a BIG let down if Jaime was the villain.
Character actor Norman Alden (as Harry) joins John Vernon in the shifty character department. The scene with he and Cannon having breakfast is funny. It was about this time WEIGHT WATCHERS invited William Conrad to lunch with its president, amid a lot of publicity. No kidding. On the brighter side, David Hedison and Jaime (as Janice) do make a nice couple.
Part of this episode was filmed in Las Vegas, well directed by Michael Caffey, who was also working on BARNABY JONES. Interestingly, there are no notes as to where the fiery airport graveyard scene was filmed near the end. Closest to Las Vegas would be Kingman, Arizona airport, about 100 miles east, or the Logistics Airport at Victorville, about 90 miles north of LA. Airplane junkyards, believe it or not, are a big attraction for tourists.
Written by Carey Wilbur, an old friend of Bill Conrad, who wrote tv westerns at Warner Brothers/ABC TV for his former boss. Carey wrote a single episode for STAR TREK, which became famous (WRATH OF KHAN).
The ending is a MUST See, and Carey wrote a witty closing line for Frank Cannon. Recommended especially for airplane buffs. SEASON 3 EPISODE 7 remastered CBS/Paramount dvd box set. 20 hrs. 2012 release. Yes, the dvds are colored blue and red.
