WELL, IT'S ABOUT TIME! Mannix was the coolest, sexiest private eye on TV! I really want Season Two because Peggy comes onboard. Gail Fisher was the First African American to win a prime time dramatic Emmy. The romantic chemistry between those two was undeniable although it would never develop because of the times, but it was there all right. My Favorite episode was when Mannix went blind...chemistry through the roof! TRIVIA: On the TV show Diagnosis Murder (Dick Van Dyke's show) Mannix made a guest appearance. Van Dyke asked about Peggy and Mannix said "I left her at home...", cementing what some or all of us wanted to know about their relationship. In the meantime I will be enjoying this classy blast from the past...Season One. SEASON TWO AND SUBSEQUENT SEASONS... HURRY UP AND GET HERE!!
September 7, 2008 |  | Waited A Long Time For This |  |
While growing up, Mannix was one of my favorite detective shows. This show had it all, decent writing, good stunts (with lots of old time fisticuffs--I had forgotten how often poor Joe's melon was pistol- whipped--ah, the life of a private eye), and good acting by Mike Connors (who I think actually looks like a private eye), Joseph Campanella, and as I recall in the following seasons by Gail Fisher and Robert Reed. Because of the quality of the show and the large number of episodes, I had been stumped as to why the show took so long to materialize on the DVD market. But hey, good things are worth waiting for and Mannix is one. I read a Mike Connors interview in the Washington Post a year or so ago and even he was mystified by the slow move to DVD. I had forgotten most all the episodes from that first year so watching them was like seeing them for the first time. I found myself getting tense watching many of the shows, wondering how Joe would escape, but he always did--of course with a few bumps and bruises and occasional flesh wound. He even did one episode in a leg cast (was it a real injury from a stunt, which he did himsef?). The DVD also includes an interesting interview with Mike Connors and Joseph Campanella (both still look great!) and intros for each episode by Mike Connors. For the price, you get the entire first season, which is a good deal (many only give you half a season). Now, bring on the other 6 seasons!
August 30, 2008| | | Yes, we have a man available.....Mannix! | |
I rarely give five stars to an older TV show. Especially, since I have a guilty pleasure of buying 60's and 70's shows from my childhood just to peak back at what I was watching then. Mostly after season or rarely two, I've satified my curiousity and move on. When I bought Mannix season 1, I was primarily fueled by combination of having it on my list for long time and not seeing any espisodes for at least twenty years.
As Gomer Pyle would say, "Surprise Surprise Surpise!" I've viewed about 15 episodes over the last few weeks and so far, I've enjoyed each one not just for the memories, but for qualities and uniqueness of the show. Like a lot people, I had never seen season 1 originally, and CBS never repeated them after season 1 because of the storyline change. Mike Conners plays the rogue detective with a genuine warts and all quality that is engaging. He's totally politically incorrect, and a product of all the social norms of the post WWII era, but his sense of his own moral code and his rebuke of simply fitting in, have almost a counterculture quality to them - he both represents 'the man' and fights conventional fitting in wisdom the same time. Joesph C. in his one season role as his boss does a really nice job, but as Mannix evolves, no boss can hold him (bye Joe).
The quality of the prints, writing , directing, etc has already been praised enough in the other reviews. I agree with them.
One element I found personally interesting, was the highly praised opening title sequence. I think I started watching the show as a child in season 2 or 3, and always wondered where all the show images came from in the title - now I know, Season 1.
Simply put, it you want a highly quality example of a 60s/70s detective show that still will hold your interest today...we have one man available.....Mannix!
August 20, 2008| | | Mannix Season 1 - Brilliant | |
It has been many, many years since I watched this on telly (black and white) and my fear was that the memory would not live up to the reality; I could not have been more wrong. This was a brilliant programme from my youth (I was allowed to stay up late to watch it) and it is even better with repeat viewings. I hope this flies off the shelves so that the studio releases the remaining seasons in quick succession.
August 8, 2008This DVD collection of the first season was put together very well. Mixed with interviews with Mike Connors and Joseph Campanella, the producers were able to give some back story to the characters as well as the relationship between the two actors.
August 8, 2008More reviews at Amazon.com ...
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