The Wild Wild West (TV Series) The Night of the Circus of Death (1967) User Reviews

You Can Keep The Change

[DKosty123 · 8/10 · 13 September 2009]

Irving J Moore directs an underrated outing of West. This one does get a little heavy handed, but the effects of this one are a lot of fun and the plot is OK involving counterfeiting. The episode starts quite actively as West almost gets torched by a flame thrower before the opening sequence.

The main circus theme is because of a lead passer of the phony bills named Bronzini is with a circus until he is suddenly killed. He then leaves behind a suitcase full of funny money and a lot of questions.

Artie's trip to Mrs. Moores emporium, while a little heavy handed, produces some valuable information. West gets trapped at Bronzinis circus in a cage with some lions. This episode roars along at a good pace. There is some light humor to go with all the action.

Acting is up to par but technical dropped the ball

[djanb1215 · 8/10 · 20 May 2017]

Don't get me wrong-I enjoyed this episode but there were some technical glitches that spoil the usual quality of the show. First, as to the lion-I know Robert Conrad loved to do his own stunts so there's no doubt he was in the cage while the lion was a safe distance away.And while I am totally opposed to using (and abusing) animals in circuses or television shows when there are other options, the OBVIOUS insert of film footage for the lion's close up just ruined the scene. Then there was the appearance of the mystery woman, who played with her earring- everyone knows when a woman does that the her hand and the earring are on the same side of the body-NOT awkwardly using her left hand to play with her right earring! Of course they probably decided to do it that way so her right hand would be free to drop the rose but she could've merely stopped playing with the earring for the few moments it took to drop it! Finally, the fight in the warehouse, where West is thrown against the large crates then there's an obvious awkward splice where he's suddenly under a large heave crate as it falls on him! Then there's a mysterious jug with some equally mysterious gas emitting from it(a sort of McGuffin- as Hitchcock would say).Using the fine cord that he's attached to a rafter,visually straining, West pulls the cord and slowly lifts the crate and slides out. But despite having this heavy weight on him, he' s able to quickly get up(no fractured ribs or bruised legs)and escape before the mystery gas has any effect. As I said, I liked it but it feels as if they were rushing and spending their usually quality time thinking things through. Fortunately this is an exception in this well-done series and Robert Conrad and Ross Martin are so good they make the obvious sexist attitude tolerable!

I was not impressed by the 'counterfeiting' scenario

[oscar-35 · 13 December 2012]

*Spoiler/plot- TNOT Circus of Death, 1967, Our agents infiltrate a traveling circus to stop counterfeiting plan before it devastates the U.S. economy.

*Special Stars- Robert Conrad, Ross Martin, Philip Bruns, Arlene Martel.

*Theme- Counterfeiting is an art form and a crime.

*Trivia/location/goofs- Air date 11-3-67. Takes place in Denver Co. Mr. Conrad's short stature/height for a leading man (5'7") was compensated for with shoe 'lifts' in his boots, casting short stunt people, and short leading ladies. In fact his show was known for needing so many short stature love-interest roles for women among females actresses, it became a staple for actresses in Hollywood. I own the clown costume that Mr. Martin wore in this and another episode of W3, 'TNOT Sudden Death'. his costume is FOR SALE, all serious bids considered. You can own a piece of W3.

*Emotion- I was not impressed by the 'counterfeiting' scenario plot line. The guest star lead villain's performance is forgettable.....many time villain roles fail to deliver enough 'gravitas' to balance with the strong leads of Conrad and Martin. The inclusion of circus and ti's performers spiced-up the drama. This is not vintage W3.