The six greatest 'Mannix' episodes, according to a superfan

We had an expert pick a fistful of fantastic tales from the gritty action series.

Between James Bond and Die Hard, there was Joe Mannix. Nobody took a punch like Mannix. Along with a plaid blazer, the tough guy was often sporting an array of scrapes, bruises, black eyes and Band-Aids. Heck, he was even blinded and poisoned and kept on taking it.

From 1967–1975, the gritty investigator took action television to a new level. The episodes delivered bare-knuckle fights, car chases… and car chases with helicopters

To pay trubute, we have a guest contributor. The father of one of us here at MeTV is a massive Mannix fan. He has selected his six favorite episodes, which we present in chronological order.


1. "The Name Is Mannix"

 

Season one, episode one

"The very first episode, which introduces the character, sends him to Palm Springs to track down the kidnapped daughter (Barbara Anderson) of a mob boss (Lloyd Nolan). A good, solid plot, with the added attraction of Mannix being chased by a helicopter."

2. "End Game"

 

Season two, episode 19

"…In which Mannix has to enter a booby-trapped abandoned apartment building to rescue a policeman friend, and deal with the ravings of a guy who served with him in the Korean War, but who betrayed his unit to the Koreans. Steve Ihnat is great as the bad guy, and the episode is tautly written and shot."

3. "Return To Summer Grove"

 

Season three, episode three

"The mystery plot is secondary in this episode, as Mannix goes back to his hometown to confront his estranged father, played by the great Victor Jory. Vera Miles plays his old girlfriend."

4. "The Sound of Darkness"

 

Season three, episode 10

"Mannix is blinded by an assassin, and then has to figure out how to defend himself when the bad guy comes back to finish the job."

5. "A Ticket to the Eclipse"

 

Season four, episode one

"Another crazy Korean War buddy comes back to hunt down Joe, but this time he's played by Darren McGavin (Kolchak: The Night Stalker, A Christmas Story), who is crazy good in the role. Plus, he seems like a real match for Mannix."

6. "The Mouse That Died"

 

Season four, episode five

"Joe is given a slow-acting poison, and he has to figure out who is trying to kill him and why. A terrific performance by Connors. Hugh Beaumont, of Leave It To Beaver fame, even has a supporting role. Oh, and there is another helicopter chase."

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
Close

6 Comments

kathykann 11 months ago
How the heck can I watch Maddox if it’s not on MTV can’t I watch the old ones will you tell me how to do it I can’t get it I’m very upset
Rooboo 36 months ago
Yes I still love Watching Mannix watched him on TV when I was a Child” and to this day It’s still a great show!!!!
RichardKorenfield 50 months ago
Well-written and very well acted. "Mannix" is one of my favorite all-time shows. Mike Connors was a truly great TV actor.
joann 56 months ago
So funny to see the obligatory tv drama plot lines--lead character is temporarily blinded, lead character is beset by life threatening situation, whether exposure to a virus (anthrax was a favorite) or the slow acting poison. Almost as ubiquitous as lead character falls in love and death or sordid past interferes with the wedding. They were formulas because they worked.
MrTideman 63 months ago
I just saw the re-run of: " Quartet for Blunt Instrument " Season 8, Episode 19 " Episode aired 23 February 1975" on METV this Spring on late night METV at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0641631/ = "While driving back to Los Angeles, Mannix gives a lift to a black hitchhiker named Perry Riggs * . Riggs is soon arrested at a roadblock, however, and charged with the murder of his former boss, a scientist who had been working on a formula for a gasoline replacement. " * = " Thalmus Rasulala " 1939-91 (51) R.I.P. [ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0711560/?ref_=tt_cl_t6 ] This is one of my top 10.
ToddMPence 67 months ago
"The Many Deaths of St. Christopher"
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?