Tough cases require a tougher private eye like Joe Mannix, who tackles cases the old fashioned way: with his fists, gun, dames, moxie, and a nifty theme song. Most people remember Mannix and his African-American secretary Peggy (Gail Fisher), but Peggy didn't arrive until the second season. Here, in the 24 episodes comprising the 1967-68 first season, Mannix works for the Intertech Agency, which relies on computers and technology to solve crimes. Of course, Mannix eschews all that fancy stuff and hits the streets (and his informants) in order to take down the bad guys (no episode passes without Mannix pummeling or shooting somebody to save the day). Though slightly formulaic, the creative team of Richard Levinson and William Link (Columbo) provides superior plotlines and sharp dialogue, and Mike Connors plays Mannix with such energy and charm that you can't help but root for him as he takes on mobsters, hippies, and treacherous women. Joseph Campanella is also outstanding as the boss who is continually frustrated by Mannix's propensity to play by his own rules. DVD extras include audio commentaries on selected episodes, Connors' episode intros, an interview with Connors and Campanella, a photo gallery, and more. Mannix's success set the stage for the explosion of TV detectives in the late ‘60s and ‘70s and still holds up reasonably well for nostalgia buffs 40 years later. Recommended. (C. Birkmeyer)
Mannix: The First Season
Paramount, 6 discs, 1,210 min., not rated, DVD: $49.99 Volume 23, Issue 5
Mannix: The First Season
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