The San Francisco Chronicle (California)
June 8, 2008 Sunday
FINAL Edition
DVD REVIEWS: MANNIX: THE FIRST SEASON
by Walter Addiego
RATING: POLITE APPLAUSE
Two-fisted private eye Joe Mannix took an amazing number of beatings
during this show’s long run 1967-75, but always looked snappy in his
sport coat and tie. He did things his way: He smoked and drank, drove
hot cars and constantly argued with his boss Joseph Campanella.
Mannix was a manly man, at least as popular culture defined it at the
time. The show worked because of Mike Connors’ portrayal of the title
character, a down-to-earth Armenian American detective and Korean War
veteran given to spouting Armenian proverbs. The plots are routine,
but Connors is affable, things move quickly and there’s the great
theme music by Lalo Schifrin. The opening credits make notable use of
the then-fashionable split-screen technique. Another time warp: In
this first season, Mannix’s detective agency uses computers, but
they’re the Stone Age kind that work with punch cards! Fans of the
series will miss Gail Fisher, who memorably played Mannix’s secretary,
Peggy, but didn’t join the cast until the second season. She was one
of the first black actresses to have a regular role in a prime-time
network series. Lots of extras in this set, including a new interview
with Connors and Campanella, a Connors appearance on "The Mike Douglas
Show," the series’ pilot and audio commentaries by Connors, Campanella
and William Link, one of the show’s creators.
MANNIX: THE FIRST SEASON
1967-68
NOT RATED
CBS/PARAMOUNT
$49.99 SIX DISCS