Child actor Pam Ferdin was in quite a few things in the 60s and 70s. She was always a trooper and performs well here. She plays a mentally challenged child who overhears a plot to rob her doctor. The robbery turns into murder and she is in possession of vital info. Mannix immediately senses this. He hounds the inside man, Woodrow Parfrey, who is his usual slimy self. Woody does the same stupid thing all crooks do when they get scared - they go to the tough guys they work for and want out. Of course they get their wish, just not exactly like they want. Do these guys ever watch TV? They should know better.
Joe gets the case solved and saves the child. Not sure why she is suddenly a little better at the end. I guess its's the "Joe Effect". Uniformed cops actually are the ones to catch the bad guy. That's a rare occurrence in any PI series.
Lt Malcolm is on hand to say he can't help. Peggy is only on screen with a phone to her ear. At least Mannix isn't shot, knocked out, or drugged. And he does get paid. A big win.
6 Reviews
A little far-fetched but entertaining
planktonrules2 July 2014
This episode s stars Pamelyn Ferdin. While she's not a famous name today, she has an interesting resume. Apart from her countless TV appearances, she also was the voice of Lucy Van Pelt in some of the Charlie Brown cartoons. So, old fogies like me might just recognize her.
Ferdin plays Dana--a mentally ill child. Because she lives in a dream world, when she overhears a couple guys discussing a robbery, they ignore her and figure it doesn't matter if the girl overhears them. However, many things go wrong--and the first is that the guy is home when they break into his home to steal bonds. In the process, the doctor is killed--and this doctor is the therapist working with Dana. Other problems follow--such as the inside man losing his nerve when he's questioned by Mannix. Finally, the big boss is a real nice guy and decides that MAYBE Dana could help the investigation, so he decides to kill the kid! Can Mannix thwart these evil baddies and can goodness prevail? What do you think?!
This is an entertaining episode though it's not without a few problems. The worst is a stupid cliché. When the inside man wants to leave the gang, he goes to the big boss and tells him--and EVERYONE watching the show knows that the boss is going to then have him killed. How could this crook be THAT stupid?! Duh. Additionally, Mannix seemed a bit awkward at times with the kid...though not terribly so. Overall, it's good but not quite up to the usual quality standards for the show.
Ferdin plays Dana--a mentally ill child. Because she lives in a dream world, when she overhears a couple guys discussing a robbery, they ignore her and figure it doesn't matter if the girl overhears them. However, many things go wrong--and the first is that the guy is home when they break into his home to steal bonds. In the process, the doctor is killed--and this doctor is the therapist working with Dana. Other problems follow--such as the inside man losing his nerve when he's questioned by Mannix. Finally, the big boss is a real nice guy and decides that MAYBE Dana could help the investigation, so he decides to kill the kid! Can Mannix thwart these evil baddies and can goodness prevail? What do you think?!
This is an entertaining episode though it's not without a few problems. The worst is a stupid cliché. When the inside man wants to leave the gang, he goes to the big boss and tells him--and EVERYONE watching the show knows that the boss is going to then have him killed. How could this crook be THAT stupid?! Duh. Additionally, Mannix seemed a bit awkward at times with the kid...though not terribly so. Overall, it's good but not quite up to the usual quality standards for the show.
Brush up on your Peter Pan
KatieBell23025 March 2023
A plot you could actually follow and a good performance by Pam Ferdin, who plays as a mentally disturbed child named Dana with a Peter Pan complex who floats in and out of reality and threatens to fly off balconies. She is being treated at a special school and is very close to her psychiatrist, who is about to donate a small fortune in bonds to the school. Dana overhears something she shouldn't about the bonds being stolen on the same day her doctor was murdered. Joe, working on behalf of the insurance company on this one, is assigned to investigate the whereabouts of the bonds. Proving he is catnip to kids as well as women, Joe instantly bonds with Dana, and he is convinced that her delusions about Captain Cook and the pirates contain strands of truth about what she saw and heard prior to the murder.
Ferdin had quite a few scenes and being an accomplished child actress was as self-possessed as any adult. The other costars seemed wooden in comparison and there is no mystery to solve in this one really. For those who like the action, there was a car chase along a windy road and the obligatory fight scene at the end. While it is watchable, as almost every episode is, it is nothing special. Other reviewers have commented on the real danger Ferdin was in during the balcony scene, and watching the episode makes you wonder who thought that was a good idea. In an ironic note - Connors' own daughter was named Dana and his son, now deceased, would be diagnosed with a mental illness a few years after this episode was filmed.
Ferdin had quite a few scenes and being an accomplished child actress was as self-possessed as any adult. The other costars seemed wooden in comparison and there is no mystery to solve in this one really. For those who like the action, there was a car chase along a windy road and the obligatory fight scene at the end. While it is watchable, as almost every episode is, it is nothing special. Other reviewers have commented on the real danger Ferdin was in during the balcony scene, and watching the episode makes you wonder who thought that was a good idea. In an ironic note - Connors' own daughter was named Dana and his son, now deceased, would be diagnosed with a mental illness a few years after this episode was filmed.
I will take 10 "Dana's" over any of the ditzes from other episodes
glitterrose30 September 2021
I made another review on another episode and vented about how irritating I find the writing to be for episodes that involve a character being a ditz, flake, etc. Again, my slams aren't towards the actresses or actors. You get handed a script and you do it.
I realize this is a divided opinion when it concerns this episode. My mom and I have watched this episode together and Dana irritated my mom beyond belief and her review of the episode would echo the reviews that are saying they hated the episode. My mom is also somebody that wanted to see Dana "fly away" because she got on her nerves that much.
I like the episode. I thought it was an interesting storyline and the pacing was pretty good. I'm not knocking the series but there's some episodes that are very slow. You think it's been on for 45 minutes already, turn around and look at the clock and it hasn't even been 20 minutes. This episode was one that got you so hooked that it surprises you to look at the clock and see the show's almost off.
My mom and I have also gotten into discussions involving child stars. Dawn Lyn was the inspiration behind that conversation. Mom couldn't stand her in anything she'd been in while I was giving credit where it's due. Pamelyn Ferdin was able to handle the material. Dana wasn't supposed to be mentally challenged. She had went through stuff in her life and she'd basically withdrawn into her own little world. She had a LOT of scenes and dialogue to get through and she nailed it. So in terms of Pamelyn Ferdin or Dawn Lyn, it must truly have been a blessing for people doing shows that worked around child stars and trusting that you have children that will be able to do the material, even if it's a lot of it.
I realize this is a divided opinion when it concerns this episode. My mom and I have watched this episode together and Dana irritated my mom beyond belief and her review of the episode would echo the reviews that are saying they hated the episode. My mom is also somebody that wanted to see Dana "fly away" because she got on her nerves that much.
I like the episode. I thought it was an interesting storyline and the pacing was pretty good. I'm not knocking the series but there's some episodes that are very slow. You think it's been on for 45 minutes already, turn around and look at the clock and it hasn't even been 20 minutes. This episode was one that got you so hooked that it surprises you to look at the clock and see the show's almost off.
My mom and I have also gotten into discussions involving child stars. Dawn Lyn was the inspiration behind that conversation. Mom couldn't stand her in anything she'd been in while I was giving credit where it's due. Pamelyn Ferdin was able to handle the material. Dana wasn't supposed to be mentally challenged. She had went through stuff in her life and she'd basically withdrawn into her own little world. She had a LOT of scenes and dialogue to get through and she nailed it. So in terms of Pamelyn Ferdin or Dawn Lyn, it must truly have been a blessing for people doing shows that worked around child stars and trusting that you have children that will be able to do the material, even if it's a lot of it.
THE KID WHO KNOWS TOO MUCH....
tcchelsey24 March 2023
If you're a long time fan of the series, you'll find Joe mixed up with a kid, occasionally, who's mixed up with some desperate characters. This episode, written by Arthur Weiss, is a bit different and with a psychological slant. Popular child actress Pamelyn Ferdin is perfect as Dana, a patient of a psychologist who is killed. The shift here is that she lives in her own make-believe world, nevertheless playing a very important part in a murder and robbery investigation.
Now its up Joe to delicately talk with Dana, and between fairy tales no less, before the murderer gets her. Arthur Weiss is to be credited for his thoughtful writing, developing a very interesting juvenile character, let alone her gentle relationship with Joe.
Ferdin began her career in tv commercials before advancing to steady roles in many tv shows and movies at the time, later to become the voice of Lucy in the CHARLIE BROWN cartoon series. Prior to this episode, she was appearing as daughter Cookie in the short-lived BLONDIE tv series.
The Los Feliz Towers, a few miles from Paramount, was again used, this time for a chilling scene where Dana is about to fall to her death. This episode actually resulted in re-writing child actor safety laws. Ferdin, in later years, said she could have easily been injured or killed, and the day of filming there were passers by who thought she was about to jump.
Watch how this all plays out.
Top supporting cast with Julie Gregg playing a doctor and Woodrow Parfrey as Amos. Parfrey was a one of a kind actor, who specialized in off the wall, but memorable characters. He was also a WWII hero. Canadian actor Lawrence Dane (as Hicks) guest starred in both Canadian and Hollywood tv shows, playing dramatic and lighter roles. Big guy Gene Dynarski, always spot on as a killer.
Weiss more than likely borrowed some of the dramatic moments here from stories he wrote for MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. The only difference is most of his characters, standing on ledges, didn't survive! He began his career with such tv classics as SEA HUNT.
Director Murray Golden, who also wrote for M. I., works very effectively with this cast. Both he and Pamlyn Ferdin should have gotten Emmy nominations.
10 STARS.
SEASON 3 EPISODE 21 remastered CBS dvd box set.
Now its up Joe to delicately talk with Dana, and between fairy tales no less, before the murderer gets her. Arthur Weiss is to be credited for his thoughtful writing, developing a very interesting juvenile character, let alone her gentle relationship with Joe.
Ferdin began her career in tv commercials before advancing to steady roles in many tv shows and movies at the time, later to become the voice of Lucy in the CHARLIE BROWN cartoon series. Prior to this episode, she was appearing as daughter Cookie in the short-lived BLONDIE tv series.
The Los Feliz Towers, a few miles from Paramount, was again used, this time for a chilling scene where Dana is about to fall to her death. This episode actually resulted in re-writing child actor safety laws. Ferdin, in later years, said she could have easily been injured or killed, and the day of filming there were passers by who thought she was about to jump.
Watch how this all plays out.
Top supporting cast with Julie Gregg playing a doctor and Woodrow Parfrey as Amos. Parfrey was a one of a kind actor, who specialized in off the wall, but memorable characters. He was also a WWII hero. Canadian actor Lawrence Dane (as Hicks) guest starred in both Canadian and Hollywood tv shows, playing dramatic and lighter roles. Big guy Gene Dynarski, always spot on as a killer.
Weiss more than likely borrowed some of the dramatic moments here from stories he wrote for MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. The only difference is most of his characters, standing on ledges, didn't survive! He began his career with such tv classics as SEA HUNT.
Director Murray Golden, who also wrote for M. I., works very effectively with this cast. Both he and Pamlyn Ferdin should have gotten Emmy nominations.
10 STARS.
SEASON 3 EPISODE 21 remastered CBS dvd box set.
Too bad she didn't fly away
pkfloydmh14 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Wow, this one is such a disaster it's hard to know where to start. It's about a little girl who overhears some crooks plotting to steal some bonds from a doctor.
The fact that a mentally challenged little girl can overhear some crooks discussing the theft of some bonds and then reveal the plot through symbolism by using Peter Pan is just absurd and laughable.
Several times throughout the episode, the little girl threatens to fly away, and she is so incredibly annoying that I was desperately hoping she would follow through on that threat and WOULD fly away. This episode would have improved immensely if she had and I would have easily rated this one higher if she had. That's how annoying she is. All the gibberish she's spouting about pirates and bombs is just embarrassing and beneath this show. The producers should be ashamed of themselves.
The plot holes in this one are endless. A doctor is killed in the beginning and there was NO FOLLOW UP on it. It was never revealed who killed him or why or how. It was simply forgotten about and never discussed again. Absolutely appalling. Then one of the crooks calls Joe while he's at the doctor's house, which is an incredibly stupendous feat since he had NO WAY OF KNOWING Joe was there or what the doctor's phone number is. And since when does Joe answer the phone at someone else's house using his own name??? And how did he know the call was going to be for him??? Then the same crook magically calls Joe on his car phone when he had NO WAY OF KNOWING what his car phone number is. Then this crook tells another crook the specific name of the insurance company Joe is working for when he had absolutely no way of knowing that. Then we have the overused cliche where one of the crooks tells his partner in crime that he's getting nervous and wants out, and of course you KNOW how that's going to turn out.
Then it really gets insane during the fight scene at the end where one of the stuntmen is clearly wearing a skull cap since he's obviously not bald and looks nothing like the actor he's standing in for!! I got quite a laugh out of this, which is obviously not what the producers intended, but at least I was entertained by SOMETHING in this otherwise dreadful episode. In fact, the only reason to see this one is to see the guy in the skull cap at the end, which doesn't say much for this one.
The fact that a mentally challenged little girl can overhear some crooks discussing the theft of some bonds and then reveal the plot through symbolism by using Peter Pan is just absurd and laughable.
Several times throughout the episode, the little girl threatens to fly away, and she is so incredibly annoying that I was desperately hoping she would follow through on that threat and WOULD fly away. This episode would have improved immensely if she had and I would have easily rated this one higher if she had. That's how annoying she is. All the gibberish she's spouting about pirates and bombs is just embarrassing and beneath this show. The producers should be ashamed of themselves.
The plot holes in this one are endless. A doctor is killed in the beginning and there was NO FOLLOW UP on it. It was never revealed who killed him or why or how. It was simply forgotten about and never discussed again. Absolutely appalling. Then one of the crooks calls Joe while he's at the doctor's house, which is an incredibly stupendous feat since he had NO WAY OF KNOWING Joe was there or what the doctor's phone number is. And since when does Joe answer the phone at someone else's house using his own name??? And how did he know the call was going to be for him??? Then the same crook magically calls Joe on his car phone when he had NO WAY OF KNOWING what his car phone number is. Then this crook tells another crook the specific name of the insurance company Joe is working for when he had absolutely no way of knowing that. Then we have the overused cliche where one of the crooks tells his partner in crime that he's getting nervous and wants out, and of course you KNOW how that's going to turn out.
Then it really gets insane during the fight scene at the end where one of the stuntmen is clearly wearing a skull cap since he's obviously not bald and looks nothing like the actor he's standing in for!! I got quite a laugh out of this, which is obviously not what the producers intended, but at least I was entertained by SOMETHING in this otherwise dreadful episode. In fact, the only reason to see this one is to see the guy in the skull cap at the end, which doesn't say much for this one.
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