This was the only episode directed by Marvin Chomsky,
who had previously directed the cult film, EVEL KNIEVEL (1971). Chomsky was an alum of MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, and it shows.
There are two distinguished actors featured here, Martin Sheen and Collin Wilcox, making this a must.
Here, Cannon teams with a bitter former LAPD motorcycle cop called Jerry (Sheen), chasing down stolen payroll loot that takes them into the remote countryside. Some nasty bikers trail behind to spruce things up. Wilcox plays Phyllis, who runs the local diner, seemingly in league with the baddies. But is she actually all that bad herself?
The only debit here is that Phyllis tries to have it both ways, which is a bit confusing. She does offer Cannon some chow! Add to the cast Daniel J. Travanti, playing a crook named "Lucky" and James B. Sikking (both from HILL STREET BLUES). Ned Glass plays Pete.
Sheen would return for another episode, and in the same role, soon to become an overnight star in BADLANDS. Wilcox, best known for TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, worked for her old boss, Bill Conrad, at Warner Brothers/ABC in westerns, including TEMPLE HOUSTON, which he produced with Jack Webb. Like Martin Sheen, she would also return to the series.
Keeping up with the travelogue locations, this episode was filmed at the remote town of Cold Springs, California, near the Nevada border. The population (as of 2021) was about 665 residents. You could only imagine the population here in 1972! Cannon driving a blue jeep through the bumpy desert is fun , not a bad driver. Buddy Ebsen would also have some jeep scenes in BARNABY JONES.
Look for famous bit actor Bob Harks (everywhere on tv) playing a deputy. Martin Sheen and Conrad make a very good team here, and I think if it wasn't for the enormous success of BADLANDS, Sheen would have probably had a recurring role as Jerry.
The first episode of 1972. Happy New Year! CANNON was catching on, soon to move to its mid-week time slot and blast off in the ratings.
SEASON 1 CBS/Paramount remastered dvd box set 2 of 2. Four discs per box, 11hrs running time for box 2, released 2008.