One Step to Midnight 

Mannix goes to what he believes is a meeting with a new client, but is ambushed by a gunman who accuses him of working for Bruno Raphael, a former crime boss now exiled from the United ... See full summary »

Director:

Don McDougall

Writers:

Richard Levinson (created by), William Link (created by)

Stars:

Mike Connors, Gail Fisher, Belinda Montgomery

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Mike Connors	...	Joe Mannix
Gail Fisher	...	Peggy Fair
Belinda Montgomery	...	Susan Graham
Christopher Connelly	...	Eddie Graham
Harold Gould	...	Bruno Raphael
Paul Lambert	...	Nick Horton
Alan Caillou	...	Derek
Ward Wood	...	Lt. Art Malcolm
Del Monroe	...	Ramsey Tate
Mady Maguire	...	Sheila
Arch Whiting	...	Paul Emmons
Dennis McCarthy	...	Doctor

Storyline

Mannix goes to what he believes is a meeting with a new client, but is ambushed by a gunman who accuses him of working for Bruno Raphael, a former crime boss now exiled from the United States. While trying to figure out why someone thinks he is working for Raphael, Mannix meets with Raphael's granddaughter and her husband, who tell Mannix that someone has been shadowing them. Mannix soon learns that Raphael has indeed returned to the United States - and that he is caught between Raphael and his successor mobsters, any of whom might have a motive to kill Mannix.

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Plot Keywords:

time in title | number in title | 

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Although it's established that Bruno Raphael is Susan Graham's grandfather, Harold Gould in real life was only 26 years older than Belinda Montgomery.

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Quotes

Bruno Raphael: Mr. Mannix... I don't send for you to come to this house in, uh...
Joe Mannix: Pasadena.
Bruno Raphael: Yeah. No, I never even heard of you before my friend telephoned and told me what happened. You have my word.
Joe Mannix: Of course.
Bruno Raphael: Now that we have talked, was it like my voice?
Joe Mannix: Yes, it was.
Bruno Raphael: They have that much knowledge of me then?
Joe Mannix: Apparently.
Bruno Raphael: But why? Why would they want to call you?
Joe Mannix: That's one of my questions.
[...]

User Reviews

Pretty good...but the ending seemed stupid.

"One Step to Midnight" was a decent episode...up until the ending. As for the ending, it left a lot to be desired.

When the show begins, Mannix is called to a meeting--a meeting that turns out not only to be fake but someone is there waiting for him. The man who supposedly called Mannix MIGHT have been a famous gangster (Harold Gould) but Mannix is not only unwilling to work for the guy but no one knows exactly where he is. Soon, the gangster's son is murdered and the granddaughter of the creep might be next--so Mannix comes to offer his help.

The mystery and action in this one is pretty good. Plus, by the end Mannix's guess as to who is behind all this isn't such a big leap-- there's hardly anyone left! But the final scene and the way the granddaughter reacts is just a bit insane--and seriously impairs the show overall. Generally well done but it just lets up at the end.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 November 1972 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Topanga Ranch Motel - 18711 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

52 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1