You have to admit it, it's a first. The story about the church and the mob. Bottom line, a brick wall is torn down that somehow re-materializes into a giant cross that contains holy water... Smoke and mirrors? Perhaps... and maybe not, although an old LA crime family is connected to the priceless property. Now what?
Enter Joe Mannix to sort things out... and it's not easy going with the folks he mixes with.
It's quite refreshing that two women did the teleplay for a change; Maureen Daly, who wrote many episodes for POLICE SURGEON and Dorothy Herold, who also wrote for the SNOOP SISTERS.
10 STARS for the outstanding cast of veteran actors. Long time tv heavy Bruce Gordon plays a church bishop! Can you believe that? He is best known as scowling, trigger happy Frank Nitti on THE UNTOUCHABLES, whose catch line was "You're Dead!" Remember him? He later made many gag appearances on such sitcoms as the LUCY SHOW and DORIS DAY. He was a fun guy to watch and probably to work with.
Pretty Brenda Scott turns in a good performance as Sandy. Brenda was a very popular actress for years, and at the time appeared on IRONSIDE and MOD SQUAD. Her claim to fame also is that she is the niece of legendary Mae Busch. Mae is fondly remembered for playing Oliver Hardy's angry, complaining wife in so many classic Laurel and Hardy films. Talent DOES run in the family. Mae was later quoted as saying she spent a good part of her fortune on clothing! The story of Hollywood then and now!
Playing one of the villains is veteran Jay Novello as Rico Picco, the mob father. Novello was best in comedy roles, usually as a quiet guy in some kind of big trouble. Also William Smithers is on board, always the bad apple, playing Salvatore. All of this sort of reminds you of a pre-GODFATHER type story. Of course, at the time was the blockbuster mafia movie, THE BROTHERHOOD, starring Kirk Douglas, which may have played a part. Watch for that film.
Old pro Harry Harvey, Jr. Directed and gets some fine performances here. Harry was an authority on MANNIX, having supervised 138 scripts for the show. BEST of the story is that his famous father, Harry, Senior appears as a geologist, and did other small roles through the years. Harry's dad was a familiar face on LASSIE and GUNSMOKE, and so many other tv shows and movies. Like father, like son.
Location fans (and I am one) will immediately spot the famous Pasadena mansion (located on South San Rafael Avenue) that doubled as Bruce Wayne's mansion on BATMAN. That is a must.
Recommended and with a lot of memores. From SEASON 1, nearing the end, remastered CBS dvd box set.