Cannon (TV Series) Night Flight to Murder (1973) User Reviews

OK...so John Vernon is in this episode...need I say more?!

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 7 November 2016]

For folks who watched a lot of 60s and 70s television, having John Vernon guest starring in a show meant one thing...he did it! Vernon specialized in playing slimy jerks...and when he appears on the screen, folks of my generation instantly will know he had something to do with the crimes. And what were the crimes? Well, when the show begins, you see a small plane lane and the co-pilot is murdered. Then, when Cannon enters the picture, you learn that not only is the plane missing but it had $3,000,000 aboard...and John Vernon owns this small airline. Need I say more?!

Aside from giving away the ending by the presence of Vernon, this is a pretty decent episode. While I didn't like the cliché of having Cannon spend time with the baddie...waiting him to betray himself, I did love the ending--tense and exciting all the way. Well worth seeing.

RISING STAR JAMIE SMITH JACKSON

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 24 September 2022]

For all of us teens growing up in the 1970s, Jamie Smith Jackson (who was in her 20s at the time) was a hero for her portrayal as the drug addicted teen victim in GO ASK ALICE, an outstanding tv movie that was long ahead of its time. It was the talk of every high school across the country at the time.

Jaime co-starred in this episode, not too long after her landmark appearance which also headlined the Emmy Awards. This was major Hollywood stuff. She also appeared in SATAN'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, a creepy movie of the week on ABC.

"Night flight to Murder" had to have been a Neilson ratings hit in the Top 10 shows of the week. A very smart move by producer Quinn Martin. A solid adventure, boasting a memorable cast, lead by tall and menacing John Vernon and the mysterious disappearance of an airplane carrying three million bucks. Everyone looks guilty (even Jaimie at the beginning). At first, you actually think she had something to do with it. And even Cannon has his suspicions, but not for long. Let's face it, it would be a BIG let down if Jaime was the villain.

Character actor Norman Alden (as Harry) joins John Vernon in the shifty character department. The scene with he and Cannon having breakfast is funny. It was about this time that WEIGHT WATCHERS invited William Conrad to lunch with its president, amid a lot of publicity. No kidding. On the brighter side, David Hedison and Jaime (as Janice) do make a nice couple.

Part of this episode was filmed in Las Vegas, well directed by Michael Caffey, who was also working on BARNABY JONES. Interestingly, there are no notes as to where the fiery airport graveyard scene was filmed near the end. Closest to Las Vegas would be Kingman, Arizona airport, about 100 miles east, or in California, the Logistics Airport at Victorville, about 90 miles north of LA. Airplane junkyards, believe it or not, are a big attraction for tourists, even in the desert.

Written by Carey Wilbur, an old friend of Conrad, who wrote tv westerns at Warner Brothers tv for his former boss. Carey was one of the original writers for CAPTAIN VIDEO, later writing a single episode for STAR TREK, which became famous (WRATH OF KHAN).

The ending is Classic Adventure, and Carey wrote a witty closing line for Cannon. Recommended especially for airplane buffs. SEASON 3 EPISODE 7 remastered CBS box set. 20 hrs/2012 release.