The man of action, Michael O'Herlihy, directed this adventure, who handled some of the very best episodes of HAWAII FIVE O that thrilled all of us kids back in the day. His trademark is everywhere here.
Versatile Ned Glass, who generally played timid guys in some sort of a mess, plays Spinelli, a guy in a hospital bed in an even bigger mess. He's linked to a bombing that happened many years ago and comes the old saying, "Dead men tell no tales....
which may be in the cards for him.
Joe takes on the case and there's some diabolical folks at play; some striking underwater scenes and the use of spear guns? Very original. The underwater scenes had to be fun for Michael O'Herlihy, though Barry Oringer came up with the idea, who wrote many episodes for I SPY. He also wrote for BEN CASEY and MEDICAL CENTER.
Barry was at his imaginative best, toss in a devious chuckle or two, as this story develops into what MAY BE the most fiendish, introducing man-eating fish??? Wait and see what comes next!
Partly filmed at Marineland (now long gone), which was the first big super tourist attraction in southern California before Disneyland. Marineland moved to San Diego several years later.
What many viewers may not know is that Ned Glass, who also played some cool villains, actually began his career with the Three Stooges. Old reliable John McLiam appears here as Benny. Also guest starring is Louise Sorel, best known for DAYS OF OUR LIVES. In the spot the face segment, yes that's Walter Koenig (Chekov on STAR TREK) in a small role as Harry. Koenig may have been adding to his tv credits, as he did have a steady job with a future!
This one goes fast, and as usual there are some plot holes, like it or not, but its prime early Mannix. Once again, there's also the hint that Joe will soon be saying "ba bye" to Lew Wickersham for good.
SEASON 1 EPISODE 22 remastered CBS dvd box set.