User Reviews

Now this is how it's done. From start to finish just a fantastic example of 70's TV drama and the best detective shows from the era have to offer.

When a ransom note is delivered for a kidnapped child we soon learn this is the 2nd time kidnappers have tried this. The first time was years earlier and when the ransom attempt failed the parents and authorities assumed the child was dead. Mannix is called in and works hard to make heads or tails of the unusual situation. This one is simply great. Great actors (Diana Hyland, Dabney Coleman & Howard Hesseman), great location shots in Griffith Park and the Observatory and a great story. This is definitely one of the highlights of the final season. The only nitpick I have is when Mannix miraculously deduces that the reason the kidnapper disappeared is because he was arrested for armed robbery of a gas station and sent to prison I went, huh? That's awful specific for a wild guess. Not surprisingly with this lucky guess Peggy is able to track down the perp.

Do yourself a favor and watch this one. You will thank me.

The wonderful Diana Hyland and reliable Dabney Coleman play a couple who,believing they had lost their son years earlier,receive a ransom note from someone claiming to be holding their son captive.The two stars convincingly portray the angst this might cause in a script written by Mann Rubin who wrote the Harry O episode "The Confetti People" the same year again for Hyland.Diana Hyland was a Quinn Martin regular appearing several times in "The Fugitive" and playing the alien leader in the "Summit Meeting" episode of the Invaders.She was taken too soon at the age of just 41 years."The Slap Maxwell Story" is probably Dabney Coleman's best work though he made countless guest appearances and played the boss in the film "Nine to Five".Keen eyed viewers might notice how Diana Hylands dress changes from one scene to the next when she shows Mannix the ransom note by the swimming pool but overall this episode is a good one and well worth watching.

A problem that happens with television shows, particularly detective or cop shows, is that if they run for more than a few seasons, the shows become somewhat repetitive. They can't help it...it's just the characters have done so many things and solved so many crimes that there's very little new under the sun. Because of this, I really enjoyed "A Ransom for Yesterday", as it showed that even in its 8th season, "Mannix" was still relevant.

The show begins with a mother receiving a ransom note. The problem is that the boy was kidnapped six years earlier and never was returned. What are the chances that the boy is STILL alive and this isn't a hoax? Mannix, of course, is there to be sure of all this.

The show, as I said above, was very original. This also means that poor Joe Mannix also wasn't bonked over the head (something which SHOULD have turned his brain to tapioca after 7+ seasons of this)! I also really loved the finale...it ended very, very well.

Oh, and by the way, this one was directed by Bill Bixby.

Lots of reviewers loved this episode and its because of Mann Rubin, who was also writing for IRONSIDE, HARRY O and the ROOKIES. Mann dabbled in weird stories, beginning his career with TALES OF TOMORROW, a prelude to the Twilight Zone.

Kidnappers come out of the woodwork -- many years later -- to reclaim ransom money for a child who is already presumed long dead? Is he still alive? Calling Joe Mannix to match wits with some clever, yet diabolical cut throats. Incidentally, Rubin re-worked this story for an episode on BARNABY JONES the following year.

Two dynamic actors in play here; Dabney Coleman, who always looked like he had something up his sleeve, and Alan Oppenheimer, usually cast as a well dressed businessman with ulterior motives.

Perfect casting.

Diana Hyland plays Janice, a fabulous actress gone too soon, who worked frequently for Quinn Martin, ie: BARNABY JONES and CANNON. Look for Howard Hesseman (who recently passed) a few years before tv stardom, playing Ray. Hesseman was actually a very good dramatic actor, and prior to this episode appeared on HARRY O. Yes, he in fact began his career as a DJ at an underground station in San Francisco in the late 1960s.

No MANNIX episode is complete without an appearance of Woodrow Parfrey (as Steve), one of the best con men and/or neurotic types on the big and small screen. Also the second episode to be masterfully directed by actor Bill Bixby, who had recently decided to work as a part time director. It was a good choice.

In the money tree department. The 250,000 ransom for the kid would be about 1.5 million today. Hessman's character's apartment is on June Street in Hollywood, and it's still there, a very nice neighborhood. Also some good shots of Griffith Park and the famous Observatory as usual.

Only debit. The blood on Howard Hessman's forehead REALLY looks like red paint? This is what happens with tight budgets.

A terrific watch for late night. SEASON 8 EPISODE 17 remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd box set.

This episode, which is considered the 'BEST' episode of Mannix, which I can see why, now that I've seen it! So, let's get to it!

A couple who have been separated reunite when the woman (Diana Hyland) receives a ransom note from her son's kidnappers, demanding $250,000 in cash! Now, this is the second time, in six years, since this happened last so you know that right there that's intriguing enough!

Now, do I believe that this is the best episode of the series? Well, on the average case level, yes I would say so! Now, is this my favorite! Yes, but not my biggest favorite! But this is still a really significant episode and it certainly shows that this beloved series was still going strong at the end!

So, I would recommend anyone to watch, you won't regret it, it is nearly flawless!