User Reviews

Shortly after the episode begins, a teacher at a fancy prep school finds one of his students just after he broke into this office. The student panics and knocks the teacher into some cabinets...killing him. Soon the student's friend comes upon the scene and insists they shouldn't call the police but should set it up to look as if the teacher died after getting drunk. The dead teacher's sister hires Barnaby Jones to investigate and prove her brother wasn't drunk...nor that he stole the money he is now accused of stealing. Can Barbaby figure out the crime?

The ring leader of these students is a very smart young man who thinks he is even smarter than he actually is....something Jones is able to use against him when investigating the case. In other words, it's less Jones' acumen that solve the case and more the student's hubris which makes this a very interesting episode.

Overall, quite well made and enjoyable....and a show that leaves you wanting to see more.

This is a very interesting episode that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I chi helped when i read the synopsis because i recently saw similar storyline on Streets of San Francisco with Christopher Tabori playing a student who needs good grades to please his father. And a similar story too on Kojak with William Katt as one of the 2 students in the same situation. All 3 excellent story lines and although similar each of the stories has a different entanglement involved to unwind and solve. All the actors involved especially the students were very keen and cunning and dramatic. This episode is worth viewing. If you have a chance watch Streets of San Francisco- Most Likely to Succeed and Kojak Life, Liberation and the Pursuit of Death. The streets of San Francisco has a recognizable and great cast.

You have to admit, there were some very clever villains on BARNABY JONES, but in this case he's up against some clever preppy students.

Andrew Parks (as Lomax) is quite good as the teenage "brains" of the outfit, who is involved in the accidental killing of the head master of his school. It's all about tests, grades and their future. Parks' was at home with this type of role, the young and arrogant guy who thinks he can outsmart everybody. Almost.

Geraldine Brooks, a terrific actress, who worked with Joan Crawford and was a close friend, plays the man's sister (Janet) who smells a rat and hires Barnaby.

John Carter plays the victim here, later to return to the series as Lieutenant Biddle. This one is exceptionally written and reminds you of a COLUMBO episode. The only reason I say that is the killers talk too much --while Barnaby hangs onto every word. And that's what nails them... Didn't Charlie Chan say "man can hang himself quicker with tongue than rope."

This was also a case that Barnaby could have just as easily lost, and that's what makes it so fascinating to watch.

Directed by Ralph Senensky, who later directed WALTONS, HART TO HART and also cult comedy, such as THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY. Ralph directed three episodes for the series and did a fine job.

This was the 4th episode, SEASON 1 CBS dvd box set.