2 reviews
I think the unlikability of the client made this one harder to enjoy.
"Moving Target" is an episode that was clearly inspired by a hoax committed just two years earlier. Clifford Irving wrote a biography of Howard Hughes and his primary source was reportedly Hughes himself. I can only assume Irving did this because Hughes was so reclusive that he thought the billionaire wouldn't come forward to refute the book. Well, Hughes, in his own goofy way, did come forward--with a phone conference where he debunked the book. And, in this episode, a man, almost EXACTLY like Irving, has been shown to be a fraud. But, he's announced that this time he REALLY is telling the truth--and people are trying to kill him from publishing this new tell-all book. Cannon assumes it's all a lot of crap--until the author is nearly blown up! Still, Cannon isn't eager to take the case because the guy is so sleazy and only does when his girlfriend pleads for Cannon to help them.
What exactly happens next, I'll let you discover yourself. However, I'll at least let you know that the show is unique because it's one of the few times you'll see a detective beat up one of his clients!! A decent episode but also one hurt by the complete unlikability of the client. In other words, I didn't really care if he was killed or not--it might have done the world a favor. And, because of this, it was difficult to keep my attention on the show as much as I might normally do. Worth seeing but nothing more.
What exactly happens next, I'll let you discover yourself. However, I'll at least let you know that the show is unique because it's one of the few times you'll see a detective beat up one of his clients!! A decent episode but also one hurt by the complete unlikability of the client. In other words, I didn't really care if he was killed or not--it might have done the world a favor. And, because of this, it was difficult to keep my attention on the show as much as I might normally do. Worth seeing but nothing more.
- planktonrules
- Aug 19, 2013
- Permalink
SEE THIS ONE FOR THE OPENING.
10 Stars.
Special thanks to Worley Thorne, who wrote a very intriguing story --cult status assured. He later wrote for BARNABY JONES and FANTASY ISLAND.
A guest on a talk show Cannon is watching one night DROPS DEAD. Keep your eye on Cannon. You have to love it.
This was actually based on a real incident that happened on the DICK CAVETT show, about a year earlier, 1972. Thorne cleverly connected it to the plot, all about a desperate author who Cannon is very reluctant to protect. The role was obviously modeled after Clifford Irving, the infamous writer who put together a tell-all book about Howard Hughes -- but never interviewed him.
Award winning Canadian actor Gordon Pinsett plays the writer with a questionable past. After years of little success, he writes a book that could make him an overnight literary sensation --and get him killed. The guy who died on tv knew too much, and he's NEXT.
By the way, Thorne may have gotten the bomb in the house idea from MANNIX; one of those had it been real it would have blown up the place. Susan Oliver plays Pinsett's protective friend who is instrumental in getting Cannon to take the case. Oliver is fun and was one of the most popular actresses on tv at the time, the daughter of famed astrologer Ruth Hale Oliver.
Veteran actor Richard Carlson makes another appearance, this time as Mr. Archibald, adding a little spice to the proceedings. Carlson began his career playing good guys, later graduating to television in more dramatic roles, often a villain, and one of the best dressed actors on tv.
Wait for the clever ending; Archibald almost gets away on a technicality. Some really good dialogue at the close.
Filmed in North Hollywood, looks like near Colfax and Hatteras. A nice, quiet neighborhood that still looks the same.
SEASON 2 EPISODE 17. Remastered color CBS/Paramount box set #2. 2010 release. 6 discs total. 21 hrs running time. Catch the cool photos on the back of each box.
Special thanks to Worley Thorne, who wrote a very intriguing story --cult status assured. He later wrote for BARNABY JONES and FANTASY ISLAND.
A guest on a talk show Cannon is watching one night DROPS DEAD. Keep your eye on Cannon. You have to love it.
This was actually based on a real incident that happened on the DICK CAVETT show, about a year earlier, 1972. Thorne cleverly connected it to the plot, all about a desperate author who Cannon is very reluctant to protect. The role was obviously modeled after Clifford Irving, the infamous writer who put together a tell-all book about Howard Hughes -- but never interviewed him.
Award winning Canadian actor Gordon Pinsett plays the writer with a questionable past. After years of little success, he writes a book that could make him an overnight literary sensation --and get him killed. The guy who died on tv knew too much, and he's NEXT.
By the way, Thorne may have gotten the bomb in the house idea from MANNIX; one of those had it been real it would have blown up the place. Susan Oliver plays Pinsett's protective friend who is instrumental in getting Cannon to take the case. Oliver is fun and was one of the most popular actresses on tv at the time, the daughter of famed astrologer Ruth Hale Oliver.
Veteran actor Richard Carlson makes another appearance, this time as Mr. Archibald, adding a little spice to the proceedings. Carlson began his career playing good guys, later graduating to television in more dramatic roles, often a villain, and one of the best dressed actors on tv.
Wait for the clever ending; Archibald almost gets away on a technicality. Some really good dialogue at the close.
Filmed in North Hollywood, looks like near Colfax and Hatteras. A nice, quiet neighborhood that still looks the same.
SEASON 2 EPISODE 17. Remastered color CBS/Paramount box set #2. 2010 release. 6 discs total. 21 hrs running time. Catch the cool photos on the back of each box.