PART II CONCLUSION.
This two part adventure obviously was written as a ratings grab, and it had to have worked. By far, one of, if not the BEST episode from the first two seasons.
Everything clicks; the acting, the writing, and applause for the incredible makeup. Popular dramatic actor Paul Stevens stars as Frank Wayne, and is the whole show. He's a ruthless money grubber whose illegal activities may actually endanger the US economy. The M. I. team is recruited to snatch Wayne's books from his safe --which happens to be in his office!
To get into Wayne's office, the team has no choice but to make a clever "switch." Wayne is knocked out and Rollin takes his place, but undergoing a makeup change (with Cinnamon as the master artist) to hide his real face because he's a wanted man. Get it? This is all done in front of his men so they won't suspect anything, believing they are talking to Wayne --but it's actually Rollin.
One of the best scenes has Rollin unable to close the safe while he's clicking pictures of the hot books, and Wayne's men are pounding on the door, wanting to enter. Classic M. I. tension on steroids.
A salute to iconic actor Eduardo Ciannelli as the big BOSS, called Rycher, who enters the picture and will make a decision as to whether Wayne will stay with the mob or be eliminated! The next terrific scene is where the "real" Wayne (who is unconscious) is made up to look like Rollin! A bit confusing, but it works like a charm.
The inside joke to all of this is that if both Rollin and Cinnamon had that kind of talent for re-creating faces, they would have probably made a fortune in Hollywood as makeup artists --and less dangerous work!
Great suppot from Vincent Gardenia as mobster Vito, and looking lethal, and Paul lambert as Al. This should have at least gotten an Emmy nonimation for best story.
Best of the Best. SEASON 2 EPISODE 12 remastered CBS/Paramount dvd box set, 7 dvds total. 2007 release.