Target: The Corruptors (TV Series) A Book of Faces (1962) User Reviews

A Book of Faces

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 22 July 2023]

When a model throws herself out of the window. Paul Marino investigates the Shirley Germaine Model Agency.

They are not just looking for pretty new faces. Owner Shirley Germaine has quiet a history which includes working for the CIA.

She knows what secrets a pretty face can unearth. The exclusive book of the agency are more than just pretty faces or party girls.

They take part in industrial espionage, the kind of kiss and tell ones.

The target is Jeffrey Marvin (Martin Balsam) a chemist for a cosmetic company. A rival wants to poach him but now they are going to use unethical means.

Phyllis (Shirley Knight) has been tasked to make Jeffrey's heart melt, eventually hoping to tell all to his wife unless he jumps ship. Only Jeffrey's wife is dying and she wants Jeffrey to meet someone else.

Marino is very much a passenger in this tale. An interesting look at how model agencies can be used for industrial espionage. The melodrama takes centre stage, luckily Balsam and Jones are strong actors.

Another tough case for Marino.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 30 July 2023]

An Agency model falls to her death, Marino learns that she was simply more than a model for hire, but was in fact an undercover spy. The latest target is scientist Jeffrey Marvin, who falls for the beautiful Phyllis.

It is definitely one of the more original episodes, the early ones seemed to focus on Mafia bosses, larger than life villains, who were often buying high court judges off, this was as far removed from that as you could imagine.

As this show is reaching its conclusion, I think it's getting better and better, this really was a fine watch, well paced and dramatic, but it worked. It's nice to see more women in the role of Corruptors.

Marino's involvement is interesting, he's more of a bit part player here, the story drives itself forward, Jack Flood plays a more central part.

Martin Balsam and Shirley Knight in particular were excellent.

Enjoyed, 8/10.

Party girls business

[searchanddestroy-1 · 14 July 2015]

A beautiful female model commits suicide by throwing her through a window; no need more to push our lead newspaperman McNally to investigate. He goes to the model agency and begins to ask questions. He suspects an espionage ring behind this death. Espionage at an industrial scale. McNally will have to go to many parties to search for clues that may lead him to the head of this very particular spy ring. Rather flat, boring, but with this always noir atmosphere although, I did not find this episode as interesting as the other ones which I have all commented, except the first one. Directed by William Conrad, who seems to have made many episodes of this series.