Hired to investigate a bank secretary's murder, Cannon unearths a scheme involving blackmail and robbery.Hired to investigate a bank secretary's murder, Cannon unearths a scheme involving blackmail and robbery.Hired to investigate a bank secretary's murder, Cannon unearths a scheme involving blackmail and robbery.
Photos
Judith McConnell
- Donna Woodward
- (as Judy McConnell)
Bob Harks
- Photographer
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWilliam Conrad and guest star Sorrell Booke would both pass away on the same date, February 11, 1994, respectively at ages 73 and 64.
- GoofsIn the final scene when Cannon talks to the bank manager, the bank manager's hair changes in a series of four shots. In close shots, his hair is neatly combed, but in the intervening long shots his hair is unkempt.
- Quotes
Sgt. Jack Rissmiller: You got a habit of getting places before the police, Cannon.
Featured review
CANNON'S CLIENT, WITH A BIT OF A PROBLEM...
10 STARS.
Producer Quinn Martin hired two old pros for this second episode; veteran director Jerry Jameson, the man behind MISSION IMPOSSIBLE and I SPY, also British born tv writer Paul Playdon, who was associated with the MOD SQUAD and THE ROOKIES at the time. He did his homework.
DEATH CHAIN (and love the title) is a well done murder mystery putting mild mannered businessman William Windom in a big, big jam. He has a secret lover who's also a thief and she just got herself killed. Stewart Moss, whose style was similar to Bradford Dillman, plays Woodward. One of the best bad guys in the biz, Don Gordon guest stars. Gordon had a lengthy resume, and more than likely worked with William Conrad at Warner Brothers/ABC.
There were more good scripts on the way so CBS initially placed CANNON on Tuesday nights after HAWAII FIVE O. IRONSIDE, which inspired CANNON, was in the top 10 on rival NBC. The ratings were lukewarm at first, and since CBS was betting on tough as nails detective, the series was eventually moved into MANNIX's 10pm time slot on Wednesday nights.
This was one of the shrewdest moves in tv history. CANNON's ratings by season 2 shot way up, eventually securing a coveted top 10 spot, making it one of the most watched mid week tv shows. Meanwhile, MANNIX was switched to Sunday nights, followed by BARNABY JONES, re-named CBS mystery night. Both shows also became big ratings winners.
To note, Cannon looks pretty trim in this episode and quite dapper. I think Quinn Martin was trying to figure out what way to go with his character in these early episodes, either business casual or windbreaker casual, which eventually won out. Cannon would also smoke his famous pipe.
In the spot the face department; Bob Harks plays a photographer. This was one of many appearances Bob made in the series in bit parts, which was his speciality. He held a record of sorts for appearing in just about every single tv show for decades.
Note the harpsichord music in the background, which was a neat addition in the early seasons. It is beautifully done.
More to come. SEASON 1, Episode 2 remastered (2008) CBS and Paramount dvd box set.
Producer Quinn Martin hired two old pros for this second episode; veteran director Jerry Jameson, the man behind MISSION IMPOSSIBLE and I SPY, also British born tv writer Paul Playdon, who was associated with the MOD SQUAD and THE ROOKIES at the time. He did his homework.
DEATH CHAIN (and love the title) is a well done murder mystery putting mild mannered businessman William Windom in a big, big jam. He has a secret lover who's also a thief and she just got herself killed. Stewart Moss, whose style was similar to Bradford Dillman, plays Woodward. One of the best bad guys in the biz, Don Gordon guest stars. Gordon had a lengthy resume, and more than likely worked with William Conrad at Warner Brothers/ABC.
There were more good scripts on the way so CBS initially placed CANNON on Tuesday nights after HAWAII FIVE O. IRONSIDE, which inspired CANNON, was in the top 10 on rival NBC. The ratings were lukewarm at first, and since CBS was betting on tough as nails detective, the series was eventually moved into MANNIX's 10pm time slot on Wednesday nights.
This was one of the shrewdest moves in tv history. CANNON's ratings by season 2 shot way up, eventually securing a coveted top 10 spot, making it one of the most watched mid week tv shows. Meanwhile, MANNIX was switched to Sunday nights, followed by BARNABY JONES, re-named CBS mystery night. Both shows also became big ratings winners.
To note, Cannon looks pretty trim in this episode and quite dapper. I think Quinn Martin was trying to figure out what way to go with his character in these early episodes, either business casual or windbreaker casual, which eventually won out. Cannon would also smoke his famous pipe.
In the spot the face department; Bob Harks plays a photographer. This was one of many appearances Bob made in the series in bit parts, which was his speciality. He held a record of sorts for appearing in just about every single tv show for decades.
Note the harpsichord music in the background, which was a neat addition in the early seasons. It is beautifully done.
More to come. SEASON 1, Episode 2 remastered (2008) CBS and Paramount dvd box set.
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- tcchelsey
- Jul 13, 2022
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