In a small-town community several young girls have been murdered. The local newspaper editor (Barry Nelson, the first actor to play James Bond) is convinced that a wealthy motel owner is responsible (Jim Davis) - and calls in Cannon to prove it. A lively episode with some neat twists, and the ability to keep us on our toes in regards of who the killer is. One minute you think it's forensic guy, then Barry Nelson or Jim Davis. Also, the depiction of the forensic science is quite interesting.
3 Reviews
THIS IS PRETTY CREEPY STUFF.
tcchelsey10 September 2022
Solid episodes like this is why CANNON would soon become a Top 10 tv show. Great cast, great crew. John Badham directed, and with good reason, behind the eerie NIGHT GALLERY series.
"The Seventh Grave" is the perfect title; Cannon up against a diabolical serial killer. Credit E. Arthur Kean, who wrote for HAWAII FIVE O, also POLICE STORY and the FBI. This tale was also ahead of its time as stalkers and serial killers in the 70s were a rare subject. The forensics introduced in this episode are reminiscent of BARNABY JONES.
Popular actor Barry Nelson co-stars as Gus, the old-fashioned crusading editor of the local newspaper, personally covering the story of the gruesome deaths of many young women. Next... Gus becomes one of the suspects, frustrating Cannon's investigation. He doesn't know who to trust. This was a prime tv role for Barry Nelson, who usually played nice guys, more recently in AIRPORT.
Lou Frizzel (as Lou?) portrays the forensic specialist, and a strange chap you have to keep an eye on. Towering Jim Davis (as Henry) steals the show as an arrogant, wealthy country gentleman, yet another suspect. Davis was a favorite in westerns, such as RIO LOBO and BIG JAKE with John Wayne.
Two notables to watch; sweet and kooky Shelly Duvall as Liz (in a very early acting role), unfortunately one of the victims. Shelly earned her paycheck as she is literally buried in mud. Just a few years earlier she was discovered at a party by director Robert Altman.
Jeff Donnell appears in the first scene as Mrs. Holt, a staple in many classic movies (IN A LONELY PLACE, opposite Humphrey Bogart) and playing Gidget's mom in the GIDGET movie series.
There are red herrings here... but can you spot the real killer? Personally, I think one prime scene gives him away. You be the judge.
Director John Badham later directed SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER.
This travelogue episode was filmed in the small town of Fillmore, about 25 miles east from the beach community of Ventura, California. Close to the town of Piru, where later episodes were filmed. SEASON 2, EPISODE 21 remastered CBS/Paramount dvd box set #2. 2010.
"The Seventh Grave" is the perfect title; Cannon up against a diabolical serial killer. Credit E. Arthur Kean, who wrote for HAWAII FIVE O, also POLICE STORY and the FBI. This tale was also ahead of its time as stalkers and serial killers in the 70s were a rare subject. The forensics introduced in this episode are reminiscent of BARNABY JONES.
Popular actor Barry Nelson co-stars as Gus, the old-fashioned crusading editor of the local newspaper, personally covering the story of the gruesome deaths of many young women. Next... Gus becomes one of the suspects, frustrating Cannon's investigation. He doesn't know who to trust. This was a prime tv role for Barry Nelson, who usually played nice guys, more recently in AIRPORT.
Lou Frizzel (as Lou?) portrays the forensic specialist, and a strange chap you have to keep an eye on. Towering Jim Davis (as Henry) steals the show as an arrogant, wealthy country gentleman, yet another suspect. Davis was a favorite in westerns, such as RIO LOBO and BIG JAKE with John Wayne.
Two notables to watch; sweet and kooky Shelly Duvall as Liz (in a very early acting role), unfortunately one of the victims. Shelly earned her paycheck as she is literally buried in mud. Just a few years earlier she was discovered at a party by director Robert Altman.
Jeff Donnell appears in the first scene as Mrs. Holt, a staple in many classic movies (IN A LONELY PLACE, opposite Humphrey Bogart) and playing Gidget's mom in the GIDGET movie series.
There are red herrings here... but can you spot the real killer? Personally, I think one prime scene gives him away. You be the judge.
Director John Badham later directed SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER.
This travelogue episode was filmed in the small town of Fillmore, about 25 miles east from the beach community of Ventura, California. Close to the town of Piru, where later episodes were filmed. SEASON 2, EPISODE 21 remastered CBS/Paramount dvd box set #2. 2010.
Cannon versus the serial killer.
planktonrules7 September 2013
This episode of "Cannon" ("The Seventh Grave") features several familiar guest stars--Barry Nelson, Jim Davis and a young Shelly Duvall. It's a very unusual show for 1973 because it's about a serial killer who is targeting young girls. In this sense, it's pretty unusual because TV shows really didn't have the fascination with serial killers yet. However, as far as the show goes, it's only okay. I would have scored it a 7 but the big fight at the end made no sense. I had to actually stop the DVD and rewind and watch it again...and it still made no sense. Cannon was fighting it out with the killer and the killer was about to kill Cannon...and then just falls down and is unconscious! Huh?! A very poor ending to an otherwise decent episode. See the final scene and you'll see what I mean.
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