I was a big fan of Combat! growing up so always good to see Vic Morrow. He has a different presence on the screen than most other actors. Vic is a drunk down on skid role. He had witnessed a murder and the bad guys are after him. Joe is hired by a woman claiming Vic is her brother. Not true but she has his best interests at heart. Vic resists Joe's attempts to help him. Joe has been through that before. He also has been knocked out before but at least he gets an ice bottle for the trouble. One nice twist is the ending is not the usual bad guys get their comeuppance via shootout or fight or mass arrests. The finale is Joe uses his car to save Vic in a car with sabotaged brakes. Good cast with Vic, Elizabeth Allen, and Mike Mazurki making their only appearances on the show and Douglas Henderson making the last of his several appearances. Allen made a guest appearance on Combat years prior and she and Mazurki were in Donovan's Reef together. Geoffrey Lewis, a veteran actor, is one of the bad guys who talks in the end. Joe was even paid for this case! There are better episodes but this isn't bad. See it just for the guest cast as they won't be back again.
4 Reviews
A female client lies to Joe and he gets bashed over the head...sounds a bit familiar, doesn't it?!
planktonrules1 December 2014
I enjoyed "Beyond Recall" but must admit that the episode had a few problems. First, it's at least the third episode that I've seen where a female client comes to Mannix with a story filled with lies...and the PRIOR episode used this plot device several times! Second, Mannix gets bashed over the head. Peggy is worried that he might have a concussion, but after at least 50 such happenings in the series so far, it's a wonder that Mannix is not a drooling vegetable!! You cannot get knocked out this often and be a well-functioning part of society!!
As for the story, Mannix is trying to find a down-and-out drunk (Vic Morrow) who's being pursued by several men (one of which is played by the familiar character actor Geoffrey Lewis). Why they want to kill him and what he knows--that's all for Mannix to discover.
An interesting plot--that's for sure. But clichés make this one a 7 when it could have easily been an 8 or 9.
As for the story, Mannix is trying to find a down-and-out drunk (Vic Morrow) who's being pursued by several men (one of which is played by the familiar character actor Geoffrey Lewis). Why they want to kill him and what he knows--that's all for Mannix to discover.
An interesting plot--that's for sure. But clichés make this one a 7 when it could have easily been an 8 or 9.
MANNIX AND THE MYSTERIOUS DRUNK?
tcchelsey12 August 2022
Jud Taylor directed this episode, a veteran of STAR TREK, also vice president and president of the Directors Guild. Taylor had his work cut out for him as this was another episode where Joe gets beat up.
Even as kids, it was cool to see Joe punch out the bad guy, but no fun when he got bounced around.
Robert Pirosh wrote this story, behind many "family' episodes for THE WALTONS, beginning his career writing comedy for the MARX BROTHERS.
The story involves Elizabeth Allen (playing Westy) who asks Mannix to find her brother Eric (Vic Morrow), a hopeless drunk on Skid Row --not what he appears to be? In fact, he's a target for killers which spells lots of bruises for Joe... and could it be his client (once again) is not telling the truth?
True! That's the real big surprise here, considering what Mannix went through in the previous episode.
Allen was best best known for playing Paul Lynde's wife in his 70s sitcom, and a very good dramatic actress with many credits. Vic Morrow is the one to watch, post COMBAT fame, who went on to play some dynamic dramatic roles, such is this. The interesting footnote about Morrow is, despite his tough guy image, he disliked guns. His performance here should have earned an Emmy, also for best director.
Incidentally, this fist in your face episode would not be complete without a visit from legendary Mike Mazurki, who stood at six foot five, the famous thug of movies (MURDER MY SWEET). Mike was quite versatile as he could scare the heck out of you or make you laugh out loud. Hollywood loved him and he worked steadily for decades.
Partly filmed in beautiful Malibu.
Recommended 10 Stars. SEASON 5 Episode 6 remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd box set.
Even as kids, it was cool to see Joe punch out the bad guy, but no fun when he got bounced around.
Robert Pirosh wrote this story, behind many "family' episodes for THE WALTONS, beginning his career writing comedy for the MARX BROTHERS.
The story involves Elizabeth Allen (playing Westy) who asks Mannix to find her brother Eric (Vic Morrow), a hopeless drunk on Skid Row --not what he appears to be? In fact, he's a target for killers which spells lots of bruises for Joe... and could it be his client (once again) is not telling the truth?
True! That's the real big surprise here, considering what Mannix went through in the previous episode.
Allen was best best known for playing Paul Lynde's wife in his 70s sitcom, and a very good dramatic actress with many credits. Vic Morrow is the one to watch, post COMBAT fame, who went on to play some dynamic dramatic roles, such is this. The interesting footnote about Morrow is, despite his tough guy image, he disliked guns. His performance here should have earned an Emmy, also for best director.
Incidentally, this fist in your face episode would not be complete without a visit from legendary Mike Mazurki, who stood at six foot five, the famous thug of movies (MURDER MY SWEET). Mike was quite versatile as he could scare the heck out of you or make you laugh out loud. Hollywood loved him and he worked steadily for decades.
Partly filmed in beautiful Malibu.
Recommended 10 Stars. SEASON 5 Episode 6 remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd box set.
Just average
pkfloydmh28 August 2021
This one is about a woman who hires Joe to find a former journalist who disappeared.
Half of the episode focuses on the mystery and investigative elements and that half is good but unfortunately the other half is totally wasted as it focuses on a boozehound, whose drunken stupors and hallucinations are aggravating and tiresome.
Joe gets clobbered in the head again and gets shot at but he does a somersault to dodge the gunfire just like he did a couple episodes ago in A Step in Time.
I loved Malcolm's quip about Joe needing to wear a helmet. Hilarious!
So I'm right in the middle on this one. Half of it is good and half isn't, which adds up to yet another mediocre episode.
Season five continues to disappoint.
Half of the episode focuses on the mystery and investigative elements and that half is good but unfortunately the other half is totally wasted as it focuses on a boozehound, whose drunken stupors and hallucinations are aggravating and tiresome.
Joe gets clobbered in the head again and gets shot at but he does a somersault to dodge the gunfire just like he did a couple episodes ago in A Step in Time.
I loved Malcolm's quip about Joe needing to wear a helmet. Hilarious!
So I'm right in the middle on this one. Half of it is good and half isn't, which adds up to yet another mediocre episode.
Season five continues to disappoint.
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