Robust, quick-moving, with a memorably picaresque wannabe apprentice and an equally memorable picaresque gold-digger, both seeking a priceless missing Greek chalice. The former (played by Christine Belford) and the latter (played by Sue-Ane Langdon) have a gloriously witty and civilized back and forth witchfest in Banacek's drawing room. A young Eric Braeden, plays a suspect but mercifully doesn't use the annoying horribly thick accent which, for some reason, he adopted many years later for The Young and the Restless (1973). Clever mystery, which Banacek, of course, solves in typical ingenious and logical Banacek-style fashion.
6 Reviews
The Missing Chalice
AaronCapenBanner1 March 2016
Thomas Banacek(George Peppard) is called in on a case involving a valuable Greek chalice worth 1.5 million dollars that somehow goes missing in front of several witnesses/interested parties at its unveiling(a common occurrence in the world of Banacek!) like Cesar Romero as a suspected smuggler, John Saxon as reputed mobster Harry Harland, or Eric Braeden as a supposed antique expert who vouched for its authenticity, which is of course in question... Carlie Kirkland(Christine Belford) becomes a self-described "Watson" to Thomas' "Sherlock Holmes" in familiar though ultimately imaginative caper, with amusing pool-side scene with Romero.
Another Carlie episode....'nuff said.
planktonrules23 January 2021
In late season one, the producers of "Banacek" must have thought that they needed to do something big to shake up the show and so they 'jumped the shark' by introducing a new character. Carlie was a combination nemesis and potential girlfriend for Banacek and the episodes, in my opinion, are among the poorest in the series. Much of this is because the chemistry isn't there but also because her character was rather one-dimensional. She was forever angry at Banacek...which made this particular episode confusing, as she now wants to be Banacek's assistant! Fortunately, someone eventually decided to write the character off the show. Now I don't blame the actress...she just said and did what the script and director told them to do.
The story begins at a museum as they're revealing a valuable greek chalice. Not surprisingly, since it's "Banacek", the chalice vanishes and Banacek with Carlie investigate the disappearance.
The story is interesting. But I felt that John Saxon's character was hard to believe...particularly in the scene involving his gun. See it...see what I mean. Overall, a relatively enjoyable but weak episode. Worth seeing but not nearly among the best of the series.
The story begins at a museum as they're revealing a valuable greek chalice. Not surprisingly, since it's "Banacek", the chalice vanishes and Banacek with Carlie investigate the disappearance.
The story is interesting. But I felt that John Saxon's character was hard to believe...particularly in the scene involving his gun. See it...see what I mean. Overall, a relatively enjoyable but weak episode. Worth seeing but not nearly among the best of the series.
Pure Boston and move over Sopranos
cewilsonjr27 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Unlike some of the other Banacek episodes, this one looks like all the outdoor scenes were shot in the Boston area (no obvious Southern California shots anyway). Plus, long before Tony Soprano had a therapist, John Saxon's mobster Harry Harland was seeing a shrink. Look for the mention of it in the scene with the variation on Russian Roulette between Banacek and Harland. This episode is one of my favorite battles of wit between Banacek and Carlie Kirkland, aka "Holmes and Watson." And yes, a very good job by Eric Braeden playing the insecure and introverted expert on ancient art. No Captain Dietrich or Victor Newman here. Oh, and let's not forget that priceless shot of Felix's head between his puzzle companion's legs
One of the "Worst" Banacek episodes...
AudioFileZ30 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I've got to say I like George Peppard as an actor. Sure, I realize he's mostly underutilized, but he can "fill the room" with his presence as so few can thus making the mundane so much more palatable. This brings us to the second season - I'd say it has, thus far, weaker writing than the best of the first season, the first half in particular to be exact.
I like the different intros the producers have elected to use and this episode gets a new one that actually shows Banacek sculling to his "put-out" point, a dock. He's met by Carly and her boss. This brings up Christine Belford as Carly. She's a pretty woman with a knock-out voice. She can play the budding insurance executive, but she has to "pedal hard" to be a likely love-interest for a man like Banacek. This is what the writers seem to be forcing. It really is a hard sell, Banacek is constantly sending abrasive verbal missiles her way. They're funny, but it underscores she really is like an irritating little sister over a romantic temptation. It's just not a great match, but I guess the writers thought her addition to Jay could add more levity? Did anyone think maybe she could be used sparingly better instead of every episode? Best line when referring to her in public:: "I guess the police have competent help"! Speaking of cool, how many times have you been jogging with your chauffeur following ( i.e. like the secret service and support car following President Clinton) where a distressed exceptionally striking (striking doesn't always mean beautiful remember) femme begs your attention to help fix her flat tire? Of course this leads to breakfast and the exposing of the deception the blonde's part which Banacek saw through entirely. The yin-yang of Carly being at Banacek residence when they arrive is funny one must say.
Anyway, Banacek is on the case to retrieve the Darien Chalice which, of course, disappeared as soon as it was presented in a private showing. The striking blonde, Sybil, reveals her wealthy Greek friends are the true owners and that the museum bought a stolen artifact. Strange since the Greek was at the unveiling and received a million for it? This set-up was a super-saver quick one to say the least as it seems ridiculous and not particularly believable in it's staging. A most impossible disappearance plain and simple.
So, suspicions abound: the smarmy museum expert on Greek period antiquities, the hired security company whose owner is a close friend of Banacek, and finally the "dropped-in" blonde with the Greek associates. Speaking of, the Greek friend is none other than Cesar Romero who can hold the camera's gaze just as wholly as Peppard. Romero's character wants "his" chalice back. Exactly how he's involved in which he says he's the rightful owner, even present at the museum's private unveiling, is totally unclear and seems clumsy at best. Then there's John Saxon. He was at the unveiling too. He's also a acquaintance of Banacek, though distant. His character is totally unlikeable and Saxon plays it well indeed. He's high on the suspect list as Banacek rates him a 12 on a 10-scale. Finally, the professional "hanger-on" Tommy Forester, hovers around claiming he's actually the rightful owner who made a "devil's deal" with the Cesar Romero character. Whew! There's almost too many suspicious characters. The intersection of most of these ridiculous characters intersect at an equally ridiculous Greek party. Banacek puts the blanket on it when he insults the Romero character pushing him into the pool.
Keeping in tune with the "over the top" silliness. Sybil, the blonde appears at Banacek's residence saying she left the Romero dude and practically changes into her nightgown offering herself and champagne. Again, Banacek sees right through asking Carly to drop Sybil at a hotel. The result of all these suspicious folks swirling around is that it makes this episode a bit of one of those classic "who done it" tomes. Well, not nearly classic! Banacek has it figured so now the unfolding is "elementary" my dear Carly? Harry, the unlikeable guy, played by Saxon figures into Banacek's final solution. In fact, in the final "reveal" Banacek is famous for he implicates almost everyone except the Saxon's character's "dumb" wife who Banacek leaves with. Yes, this is a pretty bad episode with nary a shred of believability. It seems the really good blend of entertainment and sly "almost" believability of the early first season is absent. Banacek is a rich character who deserves writing that doesn't reduce him to a cartoon parody. Writing like this can kill an otherwise great character's best efforts.
I like the different intros the producers have elected to use and this episode gets a new one that actually shows Banacek sculling to his "put-out" point, a dock. He's met by Carly and her boss. This brings up Christine Belford as Carly. She's a pretty woman with a knock-out voice. She can play the budding insurance executive, but she has to "pedal hard" to be a likely love-interest for a man like Banacek. This is what the writers seem to be forcing. It really is a hard sell, Banacek is constantly sending abrasive verbal missiles her way. They're funny, but it underscores she really is like an irritating little sister over a romantic temptation. It's just not a great match, but I guess the writers thought her addition to Jay could add more levity? Did anyone think maybe she could be used sparingly better instead of every episode? Best line when referring to her in public:: "I guess the police have competent help"! Speaking of cool, how many times have you been jogging with your chauffeur following ( i.e. like the secret service and support car following President Clinton) where a distressed exceptionally striking (striking doesn't always mean beautiful remember) femme begs your attention to help fix her flat tire? Of course this leads to breakfast and the exposing of the deception the blonde's part which Banacek saw through entirely. The yin-yang of Carly being at Banacek residence when they arrive is funny one must say.
Anyway, Banacek is on the case to retrieve the Darien Chalice which, of course, disappeared as soon as it was presented in a private showing. The striking blonde, Sybil, reveals her wealthy Greek friends are the true owners and that the museum bought a stolen artifact. Strange since the Greek was at the unveiling and received a million for it? This set-up was a super-saver quick one to say the least as it seems ridiculous and not particularly believable in it's staging. A most impossible disappearance plain and simple.
So, suspicions abound: the smarmy museum expert on Greek period antiquities, the hired security company whose owner is a close friend of Banacek, and finally the "dropped-in" blonde with the Greek associates. Speaking of, the Greek friend is none other than Cesar Romero who can hold the camera's gaze just as wholly as Peppard. Romero's character wants "his" chalice back. Exactly how he's involved in which he says he's the rightful owner, even present at the museum's private unveiling, is totally unclear and seems clumsy at best. Then there's John Saxon. He was at the unveiling too. He's also a acquaintance of Banacek, though distant. His character is totally unlikeable and Saxon plays it well indeed. He's high on the suspect list as Banacek rates him a 12 on a 10-scale. Finally, the professional "hanger-on" Tommy Forester, hovers around claiming he's actually the rightful owner who made a "devil's deal" with the Cesar Romero character. Whew! There's almost too many suspicious characters. The intersection of most of these ridiculous characters intersect at an equally ridiculous Greek party. Banacek puts the blanket on it when he insults the Romero character pushing him into the pool.
Keeping in tune with the "over the top" silliness. Sybil, the blonde appears at Banacek's residence saying she left the Romero dude and practically changes into her nightgown offering herself and champagne. Again, Banacek sees right through asking Carly to drop Sybil at a hotel. The result of all these suspicious folks swirling around is that it makes this episode a bit of one of those classic "who done it" tomes. Well, not nearly classic! Banacek has it figured so now the unfolding is "elementary" my dear Carly? Harry, the unlikeable guy, played by Saxon figures into Banacek's final solution. In fact, in the final "reveal" Banacek is famous for he implicates almost everyone except the Saxon's character's "dumb" wife who Banacek leaves with. Yes, this is a pretty bad episode with nary a shred of believability. It seems the really good blend of entertainment and sly "almost" believability of the early first season is absent. Banacek is a rich character who deserves writing that doesn't reduce him to a cartoon parody. Writing like this can kill an otherwise great character's best efforts.
A Correction to Planktonrules
bingersoll24 October 2022
One correction to the review that Planktonrules wrote for this episode. The character of Carlie Kirkland wasn't introduced in the second season to shake things up as a rival and potential romantic interest. She actually appeared in the very first BANACEK, the pilot movie "Detour to Nowhere," where she also appeared as both a rival and a romantic interest for Banacek. She didn't appear in any other first-season episode and returned with the start of the second season.
The producers may well have believed that they needed to shake up the show by adding a rival and romantic interest for Banacek. But if they did, they didn't do so by adding a new character, but by bringing back an already established character.
The producers may well have believed that they needed to shake up the show by adding a rival and romantic interest for Banacek. But if they did, they didn't do so by adding a new character, but by bringing back an already established character.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
