Mannix (TV Series)

Portrait of a Hero (1972)

Mike Connors: Joe Mannix

Photos 

Quotes 

• Lou Morgan : Chuck Noland was a big hero. Besides, it's good business. The insurance pays for the damage, but it doesn't do very much for the reputation of the building. A thing like this scares people off.

  Joe Mannix : And that's the extent of your involvement, Lou?

  Lou Morgan : [chuckles]  Come on, Joe.

  Joe Mannix : Just thinking out loud. Any idea who might have done it?

  Lou Morgan : Had to be a lunatic.

  Joe Mannix : Or somebody's hired gun.

  [Schaeffer enters the room] 

  Joe Mannix : Well, right on cue, Schaeffer.

  Schaeffer : Whatever that means, Mannix, I'll bet it's cute.

  [hands Lou Morgan a document] 

  Lou Morgan : This the casualty deal?

  Schaeffer : All it needs is your signature.

  [Lou signs the document] 

  Schaeffer : [checks his watch]  We tee off in 45 minutes. I'll see you at the club.

  Joe Mannix : Stick around a minute, will you, Schaeffer?

  Lou Morgan : He's here on the bombing.

  Joe Mannix : Do you know anyone who might have wanted to kill Noland or Roy Elkins?

  Schaeffer : No, I don't.

  Joe Mannix : How about Joyce?

  Lou Morgan : Joyce? I don't know what you're talking about.

  Joe Mannix : Does the name mean anything to you, Schaeffer?

  Schaeffer : No, no, nothing.

  Lou Morgan : Joe, how is it that you're mixed up in all of this?

  Joe Mannix : My client, Roy Elkins.

  Lou Morgan : Who ran the elevator?

  Joe Mannix : That's right.

  Lou Morgan : Oh, I see. Joe, I owe you. You saved my neck once. I don't forget. So I'll give you a tip. Check the Noland family.

  Joe Mannix : What's that mean?

  Lou Morgan : Chuck Noland's wife was getting a divorce. Lawyer she used to be stuck on was handling it. It was going to be pretty messy. She lives in San Diego.

• Julian Mallory : Come in, Mr. Mannix. I'm Julian Mallory. This is Ben Lorenz, my attorney. I asked him to join us here.

  Joe Mannix : Mr. Lorenz.

  Julian Mallory : I believe you said it was urgent.

  Joe Mannix : Yes, it is.

  Julian Mallory : I'm due at the San Diego plant. My plane leaves in exactly 40 minutes, so, please, let's get straight to the point.

  Joe Mannix : Mr. Mallory, I'd like to ask you some questions about financing your experimental plane.

  Ben Lorenz : What's the Tr2 got to do with Chuck Noland's death?

  Joe Mannix : I was hoping Mr. Mallory could tell me.

  Julian Mallory : I'm sorry, I fail to see what you're driving at.

  Joe Mannix : Well, a few years ago, your company almost went under. Whatever cash you had left, you sank into the experimental plane, is that right?

  Julian Mallory : That's right. This plane's a dream I've had ever since I was a kid. Right after World War II, I thought I could bring it off. Unfortunately, the state of the industry was not then capable of producing a plane reliable and cheap enough to qualify. Now, we have the answers.

  Joe Mannix : Uh, the answers, but you didn't have the money. It took more than you had planned.

  Julian Mallory : Doesn't it always?

  Joe Mannix : So you took in outside investors, specifically Atlas Enterprises.

  Julian Mallory : That's correct.

  Joe Mannix : I know it's correct, I was just wondering if it was wise.

  Ben Lorenz : Julian, do you mind?

  Julian Mallory : Go ahead.

  Ben Lorenz : Mr. Mannix, I don't know what you're implying, but I handled the transaction with Atlas myself. It was all perfectly legal.

  Joe Mannix : Atlas Enterprises is owned by Lou Morgan, who also owns the building where Chuck Noland was killed.

  Ben Lorenz : And you think that's significant?

  Joe Mannix : Mr. Mallory, what do you know about Lou Morgan?

  Julian Mallory : Well, I know that he's a gambler, if that's what you mean.

  Joe Mannix : In Morgan's case, that's the polite way of saying syndicate.

  Julian Mallory : The important thing is he had money, Mr. Mannix. Money was what I needed. He wasn't a philanthropist. He believes that plane will make him a fortune, and so do I.

  Joe Mannix : I've seen what happens to people who let Lou Morgan get a foot in the door.

  Julian Mallory : Mr. Mannix, *I* still control my company. Wherever the money comes from, what I do with it is strictly legitimate. And now, if you'll excuse me, as I told you, I have a plane to catch.

  Joe Mannix : Have a nice flight, Mr. Mallory.

• Ralph Stoner : Mr. Mannix? Ralph Stoner.

  Joe Mannix : How do you do?

  Ralph Stoner : Mr. Mallory said you were coming down.

  Joe Mannix : Uh-huh.

  Ralph Stoner : Well, you look all right. I, uh, read where somebody tried to kill you.

  Joe Mannix : Well, there's a lot of that going around LA.

  Ralph Stoner : Yeah. Well, what, uh, what would you like to see first? I was told to give you the VIP treatment. I can take you over the production line or give you a ride in the plane if you like.

  Joe Mannix : Oh, that'd be fine.

  Ralph Stoner : Why don't you get in the right side there? Roddy, you want to take a coffee break, and I'll make this test, okay?

  Roddy Rodman : Right. Well, tanks are full and venting. Controls are free, and she's ready to go.

  Ralph Stoner : Oh, Roddy, this is Mr. Mannix. This is my assistant, Roddy.

  Roddy Rodman : Hi there.

  Joe Mannix : How do you do?

  Roddy Rodman : Oh, by the way, Cease fixed that aileron you tagged.

  Cease : Yeah, I logged it in the files.

  Roddy Rodman : I'm sure glad you get all the problem flights. See you later.

  [Stoner starts the plane and takes off] 

  Ralph Stoner : [talks into a walkie talkie in the plane]  San Diego Control, this is Tr2. Request clearance at 4,000 feet to Point Bravo and south VFR to test area.

  Controller : Tr2, this is San Diego Control. You are cleared to Point Bravo via direct. Uh, maintain 4,000. Call on 119.3 on departing.

  Ralph Stoner : It's Tr2, thank you.

  [sets the walkie talkie down] 

  Ralph Stoner : Now watch this.

  [takes the plane into the air] 

  Joe Mannix : Really rifts right off. It's like driving out of a garage.

  Ralph Stoner : Yeah, we're hoping to sell a million of these babies.

  Joe Mannix : Did Chick Noland have anything to do with developing the Tr2?

  Ralph Stoner : No not really. It was all old man Mallory. I mean, Chuck worked with me testing, and did some, uh, promotional work. I guess they figured a hero is always good for PR.

  Joe Mannix : Were you and the Nolands very friendly?

  Ralph Stoner : Well, Chuck and I had a beer every now and then, but that, uh, that was about it.

  Joe Mannix : Did he ever bring anyone along besides his wife?

  Ralph Stoner : Now, look, he was married to the boss's daughter. So I-I made it a point not to know about that kind of thing. His private life, I mean.

  Joe Mannix : Did he ever mention a girl called Joyce?

  Ralph Stoner : Joyce?

  Joe Mannix : She may be able to tell us why he was killed.

  Ralph Stoner : Well, it's like I say, what, uh, what he did off the job was his business. Besides, I've got enough to worry about right here.

  Joe Mannix : Sure.

  Ralph Stoner : Now this is the test area. Do you get airsick?

  Joe Mannix : I try not to. Why?

  Ralph Stoner : Well, I'm supposed to put her through a few paces here.

  Joe Mannix : Go ahead.

  [Stoner maneuvers the plane to go upside down and do loops] 

  Ralph Stoner : Stomach okay?

  Joe Mannix : Yeah.