A connection to the MAN FROM UNCLE, and possibly I SPY! Series writer Gary Marshall (who wrote 18 episodes), worked briefly on I SPY and may have picked up a few ideas. More over, guest star Godfrey Cambridge (as Harry Bond), prior to this episode, appeared on I SPY in the role of Cetshyayo. Interesting.
Cambridge portrays a government secret agent, who uses Rob and Laura's house as a stakeout to watch a very suspicious neighbor. Actually, the neighbor has a family member who is on the Most Wanted list! This is a lot of fun, what with Mr. Bond having to hide out in Richie's room --in the dark. He also has a bad tooth and Rob offers him some cookies? Not good.
Watch for the classic gun swap scene, hilarious stuff that only Dick Van Dyke can do. Veteran actor Steven Geray plays the elderly neighbor, Mr. Gerard, who is a nervous wreck, and rightly so. Geray is best known for such thrillers as THE MASK OF DIMITRIOS, Alfred Hitchcock's SPELLBOUND and even, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.
Director Jerry Paris is also to be congratulated for putting this one together. Comedian Godfrey Cambridge (who we all miss) is at his classic best.
Final Season 5 (1966) Episode 27 remastered dvd box set.