Episodes-at-a-Glance Reviews

Coronado 9: The Day Chivalry Died (1960) Season 1, Episode 6

Coronado 9 - The Day Chivalry Died - Season 1 Episode 6

[9/10 · 19 October 2020]

Title: Coronado 9 - The Day Chivalry Died - Season 1 Episode 6

Director: William Witney

Details: Detective; Release Date (October 11, 1960); B&W

Starring: Rod Cameron, Patricia Medina, Robert Lowery

Synopsis: Dan Adams steps in to help a hot-tempered old Navy buddy by agreeing to see his wife home safely after he is called away from a party. Ever vigilant, Dan learns that his wife is being stalked by her former fiance, a psychotic weasel (played perfectly by Robert Lowery). Dan tries to keep things on the down low fearing what his friend may do.

Quick Review: Good William Witney directed action episode. Old time crime programmer vet Robert Lowery makes this one of the more fun entries into the series as a slimeball stalker. Patricia Medina is great with an added dose of melodrama as Lowery's victim.

Rating: A

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: The Thirty-First of February (1963) Season 1, Episode 15

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour - January 4, 1963 - Season 1 Episode 15

[7/10 · 18 October 2020]

Title: The Alfred Hitchcock Hour - January 4, 1963 - Season 1 Episode 15

Director: Alf Kjellin

Details: Crime, Drama, Mystery; Release date (September 27, 1963 ); B&W

Starring: David Wayne, William Conrad, Elizabeth Allen

Synopsis: Even though an inquest absolves a marketing execcutive (David Wayne) of any wrongdoing in the death of his wife after a fall down the stairs in the family home, a police detective (William Conrad) isn't quite as convinced. Things begin to unravel for Wayne when he starts to receive strange messages upon his return to his job.

Quick Review: Even though the plot is a bit contrived and over-played, this is a archetypal Hitchcock style episode. A heavy dose of suspense with a twist ending in this 'did he or didn't he do it' episode makes it one of the stronger season 1 entries.

Rating: B+

Movin' On: The Cowhands (1974) Season 1, Episode 6

Movin' On - The Cowhands - Season 1 Episode 6

[17 October 2020]

Title: Movin' On - The Cowhands - Season 1 Episode 6

Director: Paul Stanley

Details: Action Drama; Release date (October 24, 1974)

Starring: Claude Akins, Frank Converse, Tina Louise, Glenn Corbett

Synopsis: While doing a hauling job for an old friend who operates a traveling rodeo, Sonny gets lassoed into lending a helping hand after his financially strapped pal is injured in a bronc riding incident. Over Will's objections Sonny agrees to step in and take over the operation until his friend is released from the hospital. There to complicate matters is his friend's ex-wife who still owns part interest in the business and is there to make sure she gets her cut of the money.

Quick Review: Rather methodical affair. Seemed like the writers had opportunities with the different characters and the plot that could have been exploited but were never explored. Lacking most of the usually interesting location shooting and interchange between Will and Sonny, this episode falls a little flat. Of interest, Rita Wilson in one of her earliest roles.

Rating: C

Coronado 9: Remember the Alamo (1960) Season 1, Episode 14

Coronado 9 - Remember the Alamo - Season 1 Episode 14

[9/10 · 17 October 2020]

Title: Coronado 9 - Remember the Alamo - Season 1 Episode 14

Director: Richard Irving

Details: Detective; Release Date (December 6, 1960); B&W

Starring: Rod Cameron, David White, Beverly Garland, Anthony Caruso

Synopsis: Dan is called in by an old war buddy from a wealthy family to help solve the kidnapping of his wife. His friend wants to keep the crime on the down low but Dan has other ideas.

Quick Review: Good hard boiled detective episode filmed mostly at the Hotel del Coronado and surrounding area. Quite a few familiar faces in this installment into the series. Good story line and location shooting make for an excellent period detective piece.

Rating: A

Coronado 9: Film Flam (1961) Season 1, Episode 18

Coronado 9 - Film Flam - Season 1 Episode 18

[5/10 · 16 October 2020]

Title: Coronado 9 - Film Flam - Season 1 Episode 18

Director: Frank Arrigo

Details: Detective; Release date (January 3, 1961); B&W

Starring: Rod Cameron, Mary LaRoche, Mary LaRoche

Plot: Dan Adams travels to Paris to help a French politician's wife who is being blackmailed by a trio of criminals based in Algiers. He tries to outwit malefactors and return an embarrassing film that is in their possession.

Review: This is one of the international intrigue themed episodes which provide some adventure but are mostly sound stage bound productions. Lacking the usual SoCal location shots these episodes lose their period piece vibe. Nevertheless a decent though not memorable chapter in the series.

Rating: C

Coronado 9: Run Scared (1960) Season 1, Episode 10

Coronado 9 - Run Scared - Season 1 Episode 10

[7/10 · 16 October 2020]

Title: Coronado 9 - Run Scared - Season 1 Episode 10

Director: William Witney

Details: Detective; Release Date (November 8, 1960); B&W

Starring: Rod Cameron, Mari Aldon, Larry J. Blake

Synopsis: After receiving a threatening letter and finding his home ransacked after a sailing trip, Dan sets out to find an ex-con he helped send to prison years earlier. Suspicious that things may not be as they seem he works his way through a set of characters that may have ulterior motives.

Quick Review: Pretty much a straight up gumshoe episode as Dan follows the bread crumbs to find the culprit. William Witney directed, this segment moves quickly and covers a decent amount of ground in half an hour. Solid entry into the series.

Rating: B

Coronado 9: Blow, Gabriella (1960) Season 1, Episode 15

Coronado 9 - Blow, Gabriella - Season 1 Episode 15

[8/10 · 15 October 2020]

Title: Coronado 9 - Blow, Gabriella - Season 1 Episode 15

Director: Frank Arrigo

Details: Detective; Release Date (December 13, 1960); B&W

Starring: Rod Cameron, Ray Stricklyn, Tracey Roberts, Ed Kemmer

Synopsis: Scientist brothers Brad and Benton Partley fall victim to an espionage plot hatched by beatnik double agents working out of an underground jazz club. Sensing his sons troubles their father, who is an old Navy friend, calls in Dan Adams to help.

Quick Review: Dan gets to the bottom of a Bohemian shakedown. This one has it all, beat generation hipsters, secret agents, a double dealing dame and Dan gets to cruise around in his 1960 Lincoln Mark V convertible. A little thin of plot but a fun episode. Like crazy man, can all you cool cats dig it? 10-4 Daddy-0.

Rating: A

Coronado 9: Careless Joe (1960) Season 1, Episode 13

Title: Coronado 9 - Careless Joe - Season 1 Episode 13

[7/10 · 14 October 2020]

Title: Coronado 9 - Careless Joe - Season 1 Episode 13

Director: William Witney

Details: Detective; Release Date (November 29, 1960); B&W

Starring: Rod Cameron, Kenny Jackson, Sue Ane Langdon, Kathie Browne, Elaine Riley

Synopsis: Dan gets pulled into a murder investigation after his ne'er-do-well musician friend gets caught up with a loan shark.

Quick Review: Light whodunit without as much action as the other William Witney directed episodes. Almost unknown actor Kenny Jackson does provide about as close to a lift of humor as there is to be found in any of the episodes almost causing the normally taciturn Dan Adams to crack a smile. Fun episode.

Rating: B

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: Don't Look Behind You (1962) Season 1, Episode 2

Don't Look Behind You - Season 1 Episode 2

[3/10 · 19 August 2020]

Title: The Alfred Hitchcock Hour - Don't Look Behind You - Season 1 Episode 2

Director: John Brahm

Details: Crime, Drama, Mystery; Release date (September 27, 1962 ); B&W

Starring: Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Dick Sargent

Synopsis: An unknown assailant has been attacking women in the college town of Woodside and it looks like medical student Daphne (Vera Miles) might be next on the list. Despite all of the nefarious goings-on, Daphne doesn't seem too concerned about walking through the woods alone at night or keeping doors and windows shut and locked. Her psychologist boyfriend (Jeffery Hunter)suggests she become a decoy to draw the attacker out into the open. Should be the makings of of a top rate thriller but.....

Quick Review: This episode is pretty much DOA from the git-go due to the cartoonish portrayals by the principle characters as an unbalanced bunch given to silly psycho babble and involving themselves in just generally inconceivable situations. Probably the weakest season one offering.

Rating: D

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: I Saw the Whole Thing (1962) Season 1, Episode 4

I Saw the Whole Thing - Season 1 Episode 4

[8/10 · 19 August 2020]

Title: The Alfred Hitchcock Hour - I Saw the Whole Thing - Season 1 Episode 4

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Details: Suspense, Drama, Mystery; Release date (October 11, 1962 ); B&W

Starring: John Forsythe, Kent Smith, Kent Smith

Synopsis: Mystery writer Michael Barnes (John Forsythe) is accused of hit and run driving after five eye witnesses testify that Barnes ran a red light and struck a motorcyclist. Barnes decides to direct his own legal defense in an attempt to discredit the eyewitnesses testimony.

Quick Review: After stumbling out of the gate with a cheesy multiple freeze-frame opening sequence, which was a trendy film editing technique at the time, this episode settles into an engaging story line even if the details surrounding the legal process are a bit stretched. Well, stretched a lot. Instead of playing out as a straight up crime mystery this has the viewer trying to figure out the end game planned by the defendant Barnes. Solid entry into the series.

Rating: B

Coronado 9: Singapore Girl (1961) Season 1, Episode 37

Coronado 9 - Singapore Girl - Season 1 Episode 37

[5/10 · 16 June 2020]

Title: Coronado 9 - Singapore Girl - Season 1 Episode 37

Director: Dann Cahn

Details: Detective; Release Date (May 15, 1961); B&W

Starring: Rod Cameron, Lisa Lu, Lester Matthews, Keith McConnell , Beal Wong

Synopsis: Dan travels to Singapore at the behest of a wealthy client to retrieve a sacred version of the Koran. He arrives to find his contact's place of business has been destroyed by a bomb and he has disappeared. Soon enough he is butting heads with the local authorities over the lost relic.

Quick Review: Dan takes on a no nonsense persona while unraveling a couple of murders. Mainly a sound stage production with stock footage but nevertheless a decent fast-paced whodunit episode with an international intrigue angle.

Rating: C+

Movin' On: The Time of His Life (1974) Season 1, Episode 1

The Time of His Life - Season 1 Episode 1

[7/10 · 25 November 2019]

Title: Movin' On - The Time of His Life - Season 1 Episode 1

Director: Walter Doniger

Details: Action Drama; Release date (September 12, 1974)

Starring: Claude Akins, Frank Converse, Michael J. Pollard

Synopsis: After a road accident Will and Sonny help out by taking the driver of the other vehicle Joe Shannon (Michael J. Pollard) to the hospital. While not hurt by the accident, Sonny and Will are informed that Shannon only has a few months to live. Shannon escapes from the hospital before he is told of his diagnosis. He teams up with Will and Sonny and they decide to give him one last bucket list road trip with amusement parks, brawling and women.

Quick Review: Apparently Doctor/Patient confidentiality wasn't as big of a deal in 1974 when the doctor informs Will and Sonny that Joe Shannon, a virtual stranger, is terminally ill with only a short time to live as a segue to involve the duo in Joe's life. No matter how clumsy the premise, it becomes a fairly engaging episode as the boys show Joe one last good time.

Rating: B

Movin' On: The Trick Is to Stay Alive (1974) Season 1, Episode 5

The Trick Is to Stay Alive - Season 1 Episode 5

[8/10 · 25 November 2019]

Title: Movin' On - The Trick Is to Stay Alive - Season 1 Episode 5

Director: Michael O'Herlihy

Details: Action Drama; Release date (October 10, 1974)

Starring: Claude Akins, Frank Converse, Marilyn Hassett, James Keach, Aldo Ray

Synopsis: After discovering a bullet riddled car, Will and Sonny get caught up with two prison escapees when they try to report the incident.

Quick Review: The guys get more than they bargained for when they meet up with a psychotic criminal couple (Marilyn Hasett {as in whatever happened to?} and James Keach who both give completely over-the-top, untrammeled performances. Aldo Ray is also along for the ride. Murder, action, suspense. Best of the series to this point.

Rating: B+

Movin' On: Life Line (1974) Season 1, Episode 4

Life Line - Season 1 Episode 4

[5/10 · 25 November 2019]

Title: Movin' On - Life Line - Season 1 Episode 4

Director: John Peyser

Details: Action Drama; Release date (October 3, 1974)

Starring: Claude Akins, Frank Converse, Lois Nettleton, Clint Howard

Synopsis: While delivering a generator to a small town Will and Sonny meet a woman (Lois Nettleton) traveling with her mentally challenged son (Clint Howard). When the boy becomes scared and runs off into the mountains they work to help the woman rescue her son.

Quick Review: Weaker link in the series. Plays out with storyline much like a peril and rescue Lassie episode. Some suspense toward the end. Ron Feinberg shows up as a superfulous villian. Once again some good location shots.

Rating: C

Movin' On: Grit (1974) Season 1, Episode 3

Grit - Season 1 Episode 3

[6/10 · 25 November 2019]

Title: Movin' On - Grit - Season 1 Episode 3

Director: Hy Averback

Details: Action Drama; Release date (September 26, 1974)

Starring: Claude Akins, Frank Converse, James Olson, Pamela Payton-Wright

Synopsis: The guys become involved in the lives of Ben and Francie Simms (James Olson, Pamela Payton-Wright) when they come across Ben pushing Francie down the highway in a wheelchair. Our duo finds out that Ben has concocted a plan to get Francie to the best doctor available by pushing her in the wheelchair from Boise to Portland.

Quick Review: Prolific comedy / light drama director Hy Averback helms this episode which not coincidentally is about equal parts comedy and drama with James Olson going a little over the top as the hard headed husband given to some poor life choices.

Rating: B-

Movin' On: Roadblock (1974) Season 1, Episode 2

Roadblock - Season 1 Episode 2

[25 November 2019]

Title: Movin' On - Roadblock - Season 1 Episode 2

Director: John Peyser

Details: Action Drama; Release date (September 19, 1974)

Starring: Claude Akins, Frank Converse, Mackenzie Phillips, Richard Jaeckel

Synopsis: Sonny finds himself in over his head when agrees to take Chessie (Mackenzie Phillips), the teenage daughter of fellow trucker Red Wallace (Richard Jaeckel) to her mother's house after explaining to Sonny that he can't take her along on a cross-coutry run. Sonny becomes suspicious of Red's story after Chessie attempts to escape and is caught in multiple lies.

Quick Review: Decent follow up to episode 1 with Mackenzie Phillips essentially reprising the role of a precocious teen much like her part in American Grafitti. Jaeckel doesn't have much screen time as most of the episode deals with Will and Sonny trying to keep up with Chessie. Interesting location shots capture the feel of time period nicely.

Rating: C+

Coronado 9: Alibi Bye (1960) Season 1, Episode 11

Alibi Bye

[7/10 · 22 August 2019]

Title: Coronado 9 - Alibi Bye - Season 1 Episode 11

Director: William Witney

Details: Detective; Release Date (October 15, 1960); B&W

Starring: Rod Cameron, Robert Crosson, Allison Daniell, Roy Engel, Clark Howat

Synopsis: Dan becomes involved in murder and drug smuggling when he reluctantly accepts a case from a wealthy widow to prove her son innocent of a hit and run homicide.

Quick Review: As usual Dan tries to talk a prospective client out of using his services, explaining there is little he can do. Nevertheless business must be good as Dan is driving a new Lincoln convertible in this episode. Directed by William Witney with a few twists along the way make this an interesting entry into the series. Lots of location shots is an added plus.

Rating: B+

Coronado 9: Run, Shep, Run (1961) Season 1, Episode 20

Run, Shep, Run

[6/10 · 15 August 2019]

Title: Coronado 9 - Run, Shep, Run - Season 1 Episode 20

Director: William Witney

Details: Detective; Release Date (January 17, 1961); B&W

Starring: Rod Cameron, DeForest Kelley , Jay Novello, Dorothy Green, Leo Gordon

Synopsis: Once again Dan is off on a hunting / fishing trip to Louisiana Bayou Country and once again things don't go so well when he finds himself emerged in a murder plot.

Quick Review: Dan doesn't usually make out too well on his trips to Louisiana. Arriving expecting a relaxing hunting / fishing trip he instead finds himself caught up in a murder plot with a killer on the loose. Dan works to find the perp from a cast of assorted characters as he tries to escape the swamp to reach the local authorities. This episode is a little heavy on the plot contrivances but provides enough action to make it worthwhile.

Rating: C+

Coronado 9: Doomtown (1960) Season 1, Episode 3

Doomtown

[8/10 · 23 July 2019]

Title: Coronado 9 - Doomtown - Season 1 Episode 3

Director: William Witney

Details: Detective; Release Date (September 20, 1960); B&W

Starring: Rod Cameron, Richard Arlen, Frank Ferguson

Synopsis: As is all too often the case, Dan Adams hunting trip is interrupted when a murdered woman's body is discovered by the lake. Dan meets with local resistance when his investigation threatens to unearth secrets.

Quick Review: Murder, blackmail, duplicity and small town corruption, directed by William Witney. What's not to like? Good episode.

Rating: B+

Coronado 9: Three's a Shroud (1961) Season 1, Episode 28

Three's a Shroud

[8/10 · 22 July 2019]

Title: Coronado 9 - Three's a Shroud

Director: William Witney

Details: Detective; Release Date (March 14, 1961); B&W; Season 1 Episode 28

Starring: Rod Cameron, John Archer, Eve Miller, Russ Bender

Synopsis: Dan's fishing trip is interrupted when a psychiatric inmate, who holds Dan and two other men responsible for his discharge from the Navy, escapes bent on revenge.

Quick Review: Good gumshoe detective episode directed by William Witney. A light whodunnit mystery angle with multiple San Diego exterior action sequence shots makes this one of the series better offerings.

Rating: B+

Coronado 9: I Want to Be Hated (1960) Season 1, Episode 8

I Want to Be Hated

[3/10 · 21 July 2019]

Title: Coronado 9 - I Want to Be Hated; Season 1 Episode 8

Director: Richard Irving

Details: Detective; Release date (October 25 1960); B&W

Starring: Rod Cameron, Joanne Linville, Bill Erwin

Plot: Dan Adams gets more than he bargained for when he meets a disturbed young woman who has a very different view on relationships.

Quick Review: Unduly melo dramatic and borderline insipid entry into Coronado 9 series. The exaggerated mentally ill character portrayal strains believable limits even by half hour detective drama standards.

Rating: D+

Coronado 9: The Anxious Mariner (1961) Season 1, Episode 34

The Anxious Mariner

[7/10 · 21 July 2019]

Title: Coronado 9 - The Anxious Mariner

Director: Dann Cahn

Details: Detective; Release date (April 25, 1961); B&W; Season 1 Episode 34

Starring: Rod Cameron, Coleen Gray, William Schallert, Steve Darrell

Plot: Dan Adams goes undercover as first mate on a tramp steamer to lure a convicted gangster back to the United States in order to recover hidden papers exposing organized crime.

Quick Review: Episode covers a lot of ground in 25 minutes. Somewhat illogical plot is more than made up for with action and suspense.

Rating: B

Coronado 9: Excursion to Algiers (1961) Season 1, Episode 26

Excursion to Algiers

[5/10 · 20 July 2019]

Title: Coronado 9 - Excursion to Algiers; Season 1 Episode 26

Director: Frank Arrigo

Details: Detective; Release date (1961); B&W

Starring: Rod Cameron, Dorothy Green, John Beradino

Plot: Dan is hired by a rich widow to investigate the apparent suicide of her husband. When Dan finds $20,000 is missing his suspicions lead him to New Orleans to track down the widow and her traveling companions.

Review: Some interesting exterior shots around New Orleans but the modest dose of suspense and an over extended chase/fight scene make this one of lesser entries in the series.

Rating: C