User Reviews

In 1971, Charles Manson and a group of losers who worshiped him were all convicted of the grisly Tate-LaBianca murders. It was a HUGE trial--and was publicized widely. Now, just a few months later, "Cannon" cashes in on this with "A Deadly Quiet Town"-a show very obviously inspired by these despicable creeps.

A father is concerned that his daughter may have fallen in with a group of young losers who practically worship their leader. It's a cult and it may just be a very deadly one. When Cannon investigates, he finds a group of very impressionable youths--so impressionable that it appears they're willing to murder just to please their demented leader.

While this is a very, very entertaining episode, it's also a bit unsavory as the folks at Quinn Martin Productions seem to be cashing in on the Manson family sickness. Well made and interesting but a bit disturbing since it's obviously a case of art imitating life.

Cannon is hired by a man concerned that his daughter is involved with a cult of college-age kids. They have a hold on her, or at least the leader of the cult - chillingly played by john Rubenstein - has. Cannon learns a chilling plan: the plan to kill the teen girl's parents. Already a drunkard got killed, a lab blown and they even try to kill Cannon with a crossbow. There's a neat twist in the end, which reveals the reason why the cult leader wants the girl's family dead. This is an absorbing and effective thriller with really good atmosphere. It's also a good view of the era. It can be sinister and disturbing especially with what happened a few years previously to this but it's a solid episode.

An episode to watch, very similar to MOD SQUAD. 10 Stars.

This story owes a lot to popular, young actor John Rubenstein, playing the mesmerizing guru of a cult who kidnaps the daughter (Dianne Hull) of a businessman (played by Keith Andes). Their mission is to also wipe out her family. I agree with the last reviewer; the story was probably shaped around Charles Manson and his gang. Well written by Robert W. Lenski, who was also writing for MANNIX and the FBI tv series at the time.

Keith Andes, a veteran actor, appeared four times on the series and this may be his best role. A few years earlier he played the key part of General Marshall in the acclaimed war film, TORA, TORA, TORA. Alyn Ann McLerie plays Mrs. Glen, Andes' wife. She had previously appeared in the John Wayne western, THE COWBOYS. Alyn was yet another one of those actors who you frequently saw on tv or movies, but did not know her name.

This episode is graphic and daring for its time, disenfranchised twenty-somethings taking center stage, special thanks to series director Seymour Robbie, popular for his tv work, also doing many episodes for BARNABY JONES.

Excellent support from John Larch, fresh from DIRTY HARRY, and again playing a cop. He and William Conrad were old friends from Warner Brothers, including Keith Andes. Top dramatic actress Louise Latham (popular on GUNSMOKE) plays Rubenstein's mother, replete with a drinking problem.

The ending is classic Cannon all the way. Watch for it. By the way, the ranch house where Cannon pulls up is the future residence of Jonathan Hart (Robert Wagner)/HART TO HART. It would be used many times on this show, and once as a country club setting.

Partly filmed at Santa Clarita, about 30 miles north of LA, long before the historic fires.

Recommended. SEASON 1 EPISODE 20 remastered CBS/Paramount dvd box set No. 2. Eight dvd set total. 2008.