Cannon (TV Series) The Set Up (1975) User Reviews

Will this be one of John Vernon's few appearances where he ISN'T the baddie?!

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 14 April 2017]

This is a rather confusing episode of "Cannon". So, while I enjoyed it, it's also one you really have to pay attention to as you watch. Well, the first thing I noticed was that John Vernon was in the film...and he was playing a lawyer--two sure indications that he was playing the villain!

The show begins with a strange woman coming up to Cannon at the airport and pretending she knew him. Vernon's character saw this and only moments later was making an attempt on Cannon's life! What follows are several more failed attempts...proving the guy is evil...just not very good at the whole assassination part of it. Why did this happen and what does this have to do with an old dead lady's estate? Tune in and see.

There's plenty of action and I LOVED the ending where Cannon is rewarded for solving the case. It's the stuff in between that was only okay.

CANNON IS REALLY SET UP.

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 26 May 2022]

Recommended.

This was a much publicized episode by CBS (if you remember) that suggested Cannon had a twin lurking about. Not an original story, done before on MANNIX, and few other cop shows, but still very clever and always a ratings grabber.

Popular actress Linda Marsh returns to the series, playing Allison, who meets and greets Cannon at LAX airport, mistaking him for someone else. She's all over him and Cannon can't figure out her game. From that moment he's marked for death... and what's her deal?

George McCowan did a fine job directing, veteran of the MOD SQUAD and many other cop shows. He always got solid performances from his cast, and especially watch John Vernon. He plays a lawyer for a change of pace, but anytime you see him, you believe he's NOT to be trusted. Vernon was a Shakespearian actor, with a terrific voice, and had that villainous charm we all loved.

Davy Davison returns to the series (as Laura) and burly Norman Alden plays Walt, everywhere on tv at the time. Absolutely terrific in menacing roles.

Robert Sherman wrote this episode, one of the producers for BARNABY JONES. He had some intriguing ideas. Watch the ending where Cannon is paid in a most unique way. Without giving it all away... he literally comes into possession of hundreds of thousands of dollars? Tax free because it's a gift?

I agree with the production notes; the passenger window of Cannon's car is shot out, yet suddenly it's fixed? There's also scenes (in other episodes) where the Lincoln is speeding down a stretch of road and loses a hubcap, yet suddenly the hubcap is back on?

Partly filmed at the elegant John Bishop Green house on Commonwealth Avenue in La Canada-Flintridge, not far from Glendale, CA. A must for tourists of historic Los Angeles.

SEASON 4 EPISODE 19 remastered color CBS dvd box set. 6 dvds. 2016 release. This is one of the more expensive box sets in the series. Shop around.