This is the episode used for parts of the opening of MANNIX and its terrific. It also shows how far in advance they filmed episodes, as this one had a release date in October, but probably filmed in the summer.
What a stellar cast. Jill Ireland hires Joe to find out just who killed her race car driver husband. His car is the one going over a cliff and explodes. We all remember that one. It turns out he was involved in some top secret government work (of course, the writers really being creative here) and that lead to his demise.
Ireland, married to Charles Bronson, was quite popular on tv while also appearing in her husband's films. Prior to this episode she appeared in several episodes of the MAN FROM UNCLE and the western series SHANE.
Hugh Beaumont (dad on LEAVE IT TO BEAVER), a little grayer, plays Frank Abbott, who is also working on the case and bumps into Joe to compare notes. Beaumont began his film career in the 1940s, and starring as MICHAEL SHAYNE in a string of popular B detective films. The producers liked him, and he would appear a few more times, particularly in one of the most famous episodes where Mannix is slowly poisoned. I think had he not retired (he owned a lot of property in Minnesota), Hugh Beaumont would have been considered for the role of Art Malcolm, later played by Ward Wood, as he fit the detective mold.
Nick Colasanto plays Wagner, who later gained tv stardom as the coach on CHEERS. And not to forget Peter Haskell (as Hal), everybody's favorite good guy slash bad guy.
This story has everything, tag it Classic Mannix --and wait for the ending... Well directed by Sutton Roley, behind some of the best adventure shows on tv, such as COMBAT and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE.
They picked the right guy here.
A salute to William Fawcett, who has a small role as a janitor. Fawcett was a staple in westerns for decades, appearing many times on GUNSMOKE and the VIRGINIAN. He was one of the few actors who actually had a Phd in acting and was originally an acting teacher. Super trivia question, if you are taking notes.
For 60s music fans, listen for Herb Alpert, about mid-way through the episode. He had his first No. 1 hit a few months earlier with THIS GUYS IN LOVE WITH YOU, which he also sang. Good PR for Herb at the time.
There are no notes as to where the car races were filmed, though the series through the years filmed at many tracks across California, also up near San Francisco.
Recommended on so many levels. SEASON 2 EPISODE 4 remastered CBS dvd box set.