James Olson passed last year in Malibu, California, and although long retired (30 years!) was one of the most memorable actors to appear on tv, and with a distinct style all his own, perfect for crime shows.
He was discovered by Samuel Goldwyn, Jr., fresh out of college, and employed frequently by producer Quinn Martin. Olson plays the ring leader of a gang who pays retiring Keenan Wynn a visit, now running a restaurant on picturesque Catalina island. Wynn is an ex-con, but one of the best crooks in the biz. They make him an offer he can't refuse and in steps Frank Cannon.
Lewis Allen directed this episode, behind many classics, such as THE UNINVITED (1944) starring Ray Milland, the cult film, SUDDENLY (1954) with Frank Sinatra and DESERT FURY starring Lizabeth Scott. He branched out into tv and his credits were extensive. George Bellak, who wrote for such top cop shows as NYPD, wrote this terrific episode.
Great support from Jacqueline Scott, as Wynn's wife. Scott played many housewives and mothers in distress through the years, also a regular in Quinn Martin productions. Cannon's encounters with bad guy Olson is something to see.
A note about the legendary Lizabeth Scott. She briefly came out of retirement around this time and apperared in the cult movie PULP, also doing voice work for cat food commercials. I am sure Bill Conrad tried to contact her, along with Lewis Allen. That said, many Hollywood greats did not do cop shows. About the same for Bette Davis, who obviously knew William Conrad at Warner Brothers. Bette did make an appearance on IT TAKES A THIEF in the 60s. The show was lucky to snag Vera Miles and Kim Hunter for Season 1. In all, an OUTSTANDING crew both in front of and behind the camera, beautifully filmed at Catalina island.
Caution; lots of broken dishes and furniture in this one.
Recommended. EPISODE 19 CBS/Paramount dvd box set No. 2 of 2. Eight remastered discs total. 2008.