Arguably the most suspenseful and explosive episode of the entire series, with superb direction from Dennis Donnelly. With a script that's both exciting and intelligent, this uniquely stunning entry of Adam-12 was Emmy worthy and that it was not even nominated is nothing less than an outrage. Martin Milner gives a superb performance as Officer Pete Malloy, cool under pressure, professional, and incredibly courageous. His work in this episode was not only worthy of awards, it stands as lasting tribute to the typical Los Angeles police officer. To Malloy, he is just doing his job. His sense of duty and dedication to protecting the people of the city is both inspiring and deeply moving. Truly a standout performance in an acting career that's overwhelming in its excellence.
3 Reviews
"And The Emmy For Best Actor In A Drama Series Goes To... "
chashans2 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
"...Martin Milner, for Adam-12, Operation Action."
That's what should have been spoken at the 1975 Television Academy Emmy Awards. As it was, Milner wasn't even nominated. The nominees were Barry Newman (Petrocelli), Karl Malden (Streets of San Francisco), Telly Savalas (Kojak) and Robert Blake (Baretta). Blake won the Emmy. The Emmy for Best Drama Series went to Upstairs/Downstairs from Masterpiece Theater. That wasn't even made in America! I have to wonder as to if Adam-12 had been ignored by the Television Academy as it was a 30 minute presentation. Not the more readily accepted 60 minutes for a Dramatic series.
Martin Milner is just simply excellent in this episode. Actually, he's just simply excellent in his every performance as Officer Peter J. Malloy. So he's EXTRA excellent in this episode. There were numerous episodes of Adam-12 for which Milner should have received at least a nomination for Best Actor. The show itself deserved 7 nominations for Best Drama Series - one for each of it's 7 seasons. Also nominations for Best Direction and Best Writing. The show only ever received one Emmy nomination and that was for Music. Someone call the Police... this series was robbed!
The acting is off the scales in this one and not just from Milner. Kent McCord is terrific as is Liberty (Louise) Williams, the actress who plays the main bad-gal. There's incredible action all over the place. Great direction featuring awesome camera shots/angles. The writing is absolute top-notch.
This is an out-of-the-norm episode in which we never even see the two leads in their police uniforms. In fact, we never even see the Adam-12 Squad Car. Officer Reed, when not tooling about town in that fantastic Baby-blue Chevrolet Corvette Convertible of his, is shown driving an unmarked police vehicle with an alternative call-name. We do get to see Malloy's hideously ugly Yellow 1974 AMC Matador Coupe in a state of abandonment. So that's a major plus right there!
We also get to see Reed and his fellow Officers make a serious mistake as they take down the wrong man and woman at the side of the criminals' own abandoned vehicle. Now that was surprising to see. Completely unexpected actions from our trusted heroes. This bit ends well though.
The script includes some unusual continuity to a previous episode. When bad-gal Lisa phones the Police Station to have Malloy confirm that he is her hostage, he immediately asks if he's speaking to "Melissa". Malloy then gives his name as Peter D. Malloy. Reed realizes that "Melissa" and "D." are clues from Malloy. What they mean is unclear for awhile. The clues end up relating to a little girl, Melissa Denman, featured a few episodes back. This little girl was discovered by M & R playing Tea-Time with a mannequin called Mrs. Juniper. The clues lead Police to a near where-abouts location at which Malloy is being held. Very nice call back from the writers, easily recognizable to the viewing audience.
The bad-gal and two bad-guys aren't your usual naughty types either. The woman, Lisa, is wonderfully vicious and possibly just a titch bit insane. Malloy recognizes that immediately as communicated via his eyes. He's unable to speak much in scenes with her as his mouth is gagged for the most. Malloy also sees that while the taller bad-guy, Harv, would be a force to deal with, the shorter bad-guy, Roger, shows some compassion towards their captive hostage. Malloy also notes (as does the Director inform) that Roger isn't all that bright. He being put in charge of putting together make-shift explosives - using gasoline in the house's living room(!) - might just make for a get-away scenario. When that get-away presents itself - at his own intelligent doing - Malloy rolls into action, right into some awesome stunt work. Go Malloy, Go!
"Operation Action" isn't just Adam-12 at it's Ultimate Best. Not just 1970's television at it's best. This episode is an example of Dramatic Entertainment through-out the history of All Television at it's Very Best!
That's what should have been spoken at the 1975 Television Academy Emmy Awards. As it was, Milner wasn't even nominated. The nominees were Barry Newman (Petrocelli), Karl Malden (Streets of San Francisco), Telly Savalas (Kojak) and Robert Blake (Baretta). Blake won the Emmy. The Emmy for Best Drama Series went to Upstairs/Downstairs from Masterpiece Theater. That wasn't even made in America! I have to wonder as to if Adam-12 had been ignored by the Television Academy as it was a 30 minute presentation. Not the more readily accepted 60 minutes for a Dramatic series.
Martin Milner is just simply excellent in this episode. Actually, he's just simply excellent in his every performance as Officer Peter J. Malloy. So he's EXTRA excellent in this episode. There were numerous episodes of Adam-12 for which Milner should have received at least a nomination for Best Actor. The show itself deserved 7 nominations for Best Drama Series - one for each of it's 7 seasons. Also nominations for Best Direction and Best Writing. The show only ever received one Emmy nomination and that was for Music. Someone call the Police... this series was robbed!
The acting is off the scales in this one and not just from Milner. Kent McCord is terrific as is Liberty (Louise) Williams, the actress who plays the main bad-gal. There's incredible action all over the place. Great direction featuring awesome camera shots/angles. The writing is absolute top-notch.
This is an out-of-the-norm episode in which we never even see the two leads in their police uniforms. In fact, we never even see the Adam-12 Squad Car. Officer Reed, when not tooling about town in that fantastic Baby-blue Chevrolet Corvette Convertible of his, is shown driving an unmarked police vehicle with an alternative call-name. We do get to see Malloy's hideously ugly Yellow 1974 AMC Matador Coupe in a state of abandonment. So that's a major plus right there!
We also get to see Reed and his fellow Officers make a serious mistake as they take down the wrong man and woman at the side of the criminals' own abandoned vehicle. Now that was surprising to see. Completely unexpected actions from our trusted heroes. This bit ends well though.
The script includes some unusual continuity to a previous episode. When bad-gal Lisa phones the Police Station to have Malloy confirm that he is her hostage, he immediately asks if he's speaking to "Melissa". Malloy then gives his name as Peter D. Malloy. Reed realizes that "Melissa" and "D." are clues from Malloy. What they mean is unclear for awhile. The clues end up relating to a little girl, Melissa Denman, featured a few episodes back. This little girl was discovered by M & R playing Tea-Time with a mannequin called Mrs. Juniper. The clues lead Police to a near where-abouts location at which Malloy is being held. Very nice call back from the writers, easily recognizable to the viewing audience.
The bad-gal and two bad-guys aren't your usual naughty types either. The woman, Lisa, is wonderfully vicious and possibly just a titch bit insane. Malloy recognizes that immediately as communicated via his eyes. He's unable to speak much in scenes with her as his mouth is gagged for the most. Malloy also sees that while the taller bad-guy, Harv, would be a force to deal with, the shorter bad-guy, Roger, shows some compassion towards their captive hostage. Malloy also notes (as does the Director inform) that Roger isn't all that bright. He being put in charge of putting together make-shift explosives - using gasoline in the house's living room(!) - might just make for a get-away scenario. When that get-away presents itself - at his own intelligent doing - Malloy rolls into action, right into some awesome stunt work. Go Malloy, Go!
"Operation Action" isn't just Adam-12 at it's Ultimate Best. Not just 1970's television at it's best. This episode is an example of Dramatic Entertainment through-out the history of All Television at it's Very Best!
An Unexpected Turn Of Events
StrictlyConfidential29 December 2020
(*Pete Malloy quote*) - "You're playing a losing game."
While off duty, Pete Malloy is taken hostage by 3 desperate people who want the woman's boyfriend released from jail in return for Malloy.
Things get pretty intense when these 3 people don't get their demands met.
Officer Jim Reed enthusiastically joins the search for Malloy in hopes of finding him before it's too late.
While off duty, Pete Malloy is taken hostage by 3 desperate people who want the woman's boyfriend released from jail in return for Malloy.
Things get pretty intense when these 3 people don't get their demands met.
Officer Jim Reed enthusiastically joins the search for Malloy in hopes of finding him before it's too late.
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