Eye witnesses saw policeman Al Reardon commit murder. He hires Joe to prove it was a frame-up, but can't seem to get his story straight.Eye witnesses saw policeman Al Reardon commit murder. He hires Joe to prove it was a frame-up, but can't seem to get his story straight.Eye witnesses saw policeman Al Reardon commit murder. He hires Joe to prove it was a frame-up, but can't seem to get his story straight.
- Bartender
- (as Vince Barbi)
- Henchman #2
- (uncredited)
- Henchman #1
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMarj Dusay (Helen) sings the Burt Bacharach song Alfie
- GoofsWhen Joe and Helen Layton are the lake with the two thugs, the portion of Helen's jeans right around and below her knees are already muddy before she actually kneels down into the mud, so apparently several takes had been done without having the actress change her jeans between takes.
- Quotes
Sgt. Al Reardon: [while being questioned in Art's office] Well, I don't understand any of this. It's... It's like some kind of nightmare!
Joe Mannix: Why don't you let me get you a lawyer?
Sgt. Al Reardon: I don't need a lawyer, Joe. I need a friend that will believe my story. That's why I called you.
Joe Mannix: Yeah, now, you, uh, say you were at home all night alone?
Sgt. Al Reardon: Yeah, I... I am mostly since... since Mary left me.
Joe Mannix: Did you know this loan shark? What was his name?
Lt. Art Malcolm: Briscoe. Nick Briscoe.
Joe Mannix: Did you know him?
Sgt. Al Reardon: Of course I knew him. I busted him last year. I had two witnesses willing to swear he was charging them ten percent interest per week.
Joe Mannix: Did you get a conviction?
Sgt. Al Reardon: The witnesses backed off. Briscoe got to 'em.
Joe Mannix: Al, uh... how do you explain the damage to your car?
Sgt. Al Reardon: I can't explain it, Joe! I can't explain any of this! I just know I didn't do it!
10 Earned Stars.
"Mask for a Charade", and an appropriate title, begins with a man looking very, very much like Claude Akins running over a guy. The victim is a crook who should have been bumped a long time ago, however... it doesn't alter the fact that Akins is a man of the law and what's his connection? He flatly denies everything and Joe has to back peddle through a well constructed mystery.
I agree with the last reviewer, there must have been some sort of inside joke among the writers as someone else (other than Joe) says HE got a concussion after a knock down drag out fight. REALLY? Not to miss a super cast. Aside from Claude Akins there's Marj Dusay (playing Helen), an excellent supporting actress in dramatic roles. Dennis Patrick (looking suspicious) plays Frankie. Gloria LeRoy (who had some great roles on ALL IN THE FAMILY) appears, along with veterans Joan Shawlee (DICK VAN DYKE SHOW) and Jeanne Bates (as Mary), whose career went back to 1940s B movies.
Sutton Roley directed, also credited for MISSION IMPOSSIBLE and many other cop shows. Can you figure this one out? Applause if you can.
SEASON 7 EPISODE 21 remastered color CBS dvd box set. 6 dvds 2012 release. Very similar front cover design to CANNON Season 5 dvd box set. Both classic photos.
- tcchelsey
- Nov 8, 2022