User Reviews

For an amateur, Colby (Laurence Luckinbill) sure came up with an excellent caper...much like something you'd read about in an Agatha Christie novel. But as for AFTER the crime, the guy really shows he's an amateur...and as a result the bodies keep piling up!

Colby likes the good life....fine food, travel and his pretty wife. But it's an expensive way of life...one he really can no longer afford. So, he plans on taking care of this by stealing a hugely valuable diamond...and he plans it out very meticulously and intelligently. But he didn't account for everything...and after making the heist, he's stopped by a guard and Colby disarms him and kills him. Later, he even kills one more time because of unforeseen circumstances. What's next? See the show.

I don't want to ruin the suspense of how Colby commits the robbery...it's really fascinating. This helps to make the episode one of the better ones! Well worth seeing.

If you are Barnaby fan, you may recognize this plot (revamped) from an earlier episode. Laurence Luckinbill, who appeared three times on the series, plays Colby, one of those master thieves who thinks he can outsmart everybody. He sets his sticky fingers on a fabulous diamond, and his plans are rather elaborate. However, the plans did not include being discovered by a guard! He kills the man and in comes Barnaby Jones.

The execution of the crime is similar to an episode that starred Peter Haskell, also as a master thief, who attempts to steal a diamond necklace and is interrupted by a butler. Had the butler not entered the scene, much like the guard in this case, it probably would have been a perfect crime!

Some top guest stars here, lead by veteran Kent Smith, a favorite of all us movie buffs, and Val Avery, a master of characterizations. Val plays Andy.

To note, this episode features a fun shot of Buddy Ebsen dressed up as SHERLOCK HOLMES! It could have been a PR stunt, and if you ever get to see it, you will love it. It also shows Buddy had a neat sense of humor, and really enjoyed his role. In later years, he said he learned so much about detective work, which he never knew much about as he was a long time dancer, singer and actor.

From SEASON 3 EPISODE 10 remastered CBS dvd box set.