User Reviews

not only the best five o episode hands down, but possibly one of the best TV episodes ever. Funny and imaginative at the same time. I could literally watch this everyday and never tire of it. Perfect writing, perfect acting and a whimsical background score that adds as much to this episode as the classic music from Psycho added to that film. Hume Cronyn is perfect in this role. For a TV series as grim and dark as Five o to do an amusing story like this is amazing. If only anything anywhere on TV today could or would do a story even close to this I would never be able to take my eyes off the screen. As far as a rating..that is off the charts...10 or 100 ... even that is not enough

Such a great series and this is a perfect episode. Every show is so serious, and that's a good thing, but this one has a lighter side and it's refreshing every once in a blue moon. Plus, I love those cars!!!!

I was a kid when this outrageous dark comedy episode came out, but it was so true to life as there were always stories of senior citizens stealing stuff. The grim stories at the time (even in Hawaii) may have inspired the writers here. Also this is a tribute to the great stage, film and tv actor Hume Cronyn, who with his equally talented wife, Jessica Tandy (DRIVING MISS DAISY) made an incredible team in their day. He was also a favorite of Alfred Hitchcock. Cronyn goes solo here, truly a thorn in McGarrett's side, as he plays a forced into retirement insurance agent who uses every trick in the book to steal --to survive. Cronyn's use of disguises (fake moustache, etc) are hands down hilarious, and so is his arrogant, eccentric personality. His performance is truly one for the books, of course frustrating the heck out of cool Steve McGarrett. Check out the witty dialogue between the two, if not the wise cracks? This episode was so well received that Cronyn returned with the same quirky character a season or two later. I agree with he last reviewer, and even 50 years later!!!, this is perhaps the best episode of the entire lengthy series, beautifully combining comedy with drama. Creative writing 101. A must see.

I've seen this episode several times and it never gets stale. It is a wonderful change of pace for the show. Hume Cronyn plays his character perfectly. You actually root for him to succeed and for him to outsmart McGarrett. The soundtrack adds to the episode as well. It makes you wish the episode lasted 90 minutes or longer. Commercials ruin the continuity of the show. The makeup and disguises Cronyn wears is what adds to the humor in the show. It was good to see a crime show with no violence or shooting. Definitely an episode worth watching and one worthy of several sequels, not just the one. A must to watch!

I'm torn, this episode is a nice breakaway from the formulaic criminal pursuit on Hawaii Five O, but the reason it has appeal to the regular viewer is just contrast and emotional stimulation, not quality.

So as an actual episode, it's 0 out of 10 for reasons listed below, but for wacky breaking through the wall of tradition, I'll give it 5 of 10.

It leaves any story behind, just to let Hume Cronyn have an episode to perform. So that's actually a good thing most of the time, but Hume blasts through the characters, makeup, and costumes here like its a vaudeville show. An his acting is painfully over the top and obvious. It's pretty much a comic book episode, which of course is why it's appealing from an energy standpoint, but that doesn't make it great.

And speaking of vaudeville show, the Morton Stevens score is not a thing of brilliance, he simply wrote up or found a few minutes of 20s ragtime, and he loops it through the wacky parts. Again, it's a contrast to the usual corporate stock music, so it rises in interest due to novelty not quality.

Lastly, although the story is not really important to the episode, it unfortunately totally discards any sense of reality, as the criminal bases his enterprise in a location that includes a massive amount of physical evidence to be caught with, rather than using a generic location - say an ordinary home. This simplifies McGarrett's job to a quick trip to the forensics lab and a casual drive. (Trying to avoid spoilers here) In summary, this episode is the typical "comedy escape" episode that producer/writers throw in when they or the cast are tired of doing the same thing over and over, or the ratings are slipping.

Not sophisticated, not complex, not deep, not unique, not that interesting. I came here to seek out any mention of Cronyn's overacting and found only goofy praise. Oh well.

Glad I finally found this episode on the H&I channel. This was one of the most clever and enjoyable chapters in this great series. I remember it well and it was just as good as I recall from over 5-0 years ago ;-) Hume Cronyn was the perfect foil for McGarrett, Dano and the rest of the very serious police cast. The light music used only added to the tongue in cheek mood throughout. Hope others take the time to see this one.

Reviewers should have to be pre-qualified, somehow.

This one is a droll, bland attempt to either provide a vehicle for Hume, or a change of pace for the Series.

I am appreciative of the one reviewer, though, he is correct.

The music is inappropriate for Hawaii Five O; acting is goofy and contrived; and the regulars appear to be not enjoying filming this episode.

Unappealing, disjointed script.

Skip,except for true fans of series.

...

It's amazing. On all websites, people rave about Hume Cronyn, and both of the episodes with him, on Five O.

Here, there are no accomplices, few other characters, except Che, an absolutely lame and unappealing set of music cues, and such a brazen type of moxie, from Hume.

No offense to anyone, but Hume seems very effeminate in both episodes, just difficult to watch.

It's hard to say why this was made, unless it was to please Hume, because this one is really not good.

Lord and others, just go through the motions.