User Reviews

Veteran character actor John McGiver is terrific in this episode where he plays bad guy Elisha Calamender. He does a terrific Sydney Greenstreet impression with the character.

Once again criminals are tricked into believing West has decided to take a walk on the wild side (good thing he didn't check with Dr. Lovelass on what he thought the chances were that West was faking) and recruit him to be part (the main part actually) of their plan to get a rare mineral that in one form can be a powerful explosive, and in the other, a deadly gas.

West has to swim past sharks and into a water inlet to recover the item, stealing it from another group of crooks who have it stored at the bottom of a saltwater tank. Artie arrives disguised as a cranky old postman, and together they try to get away without getting killed--either by Calamender, the gang they stole the mineral from or the explosive/gas itself.

Altogether a pretty good episode, thanks to McGiver and some of the underwater footage.

*Spoiler/plot- TNOT Turncoat, 1967. Our agents unravel a deadly plot artfully engineered by a ruthless group who intend on stealing priceless paintings and other art objects for sale on the black market.

*Special Stars- Robert Conrad, Ross Martin, John McGiver, Walker Edmiston.

*Theme- Art is seldom appreciated by it's owners.

*Trivia/location/goofs-Air date 12-1-67. Takes place on the Barbary Coast, San Francisco CA. Mr. Conrad's short stature/height for a leading man (5'7") was compensated for with shoe 'lifts' in his boots, casting short stunt people, and short leading ladies. In fact his show was known for needing so many short stature love-interest roles for women among females actresses, it became a staple for actresses in Hollywood.

*Emotion- I was entertained and impressed by the 'West is drummed out of the secret service' scenario plot line. John McGiver's performance playing the Barbary Coast's crime leader set the bar extremely high on the guest star lead villain's performance.....many time guest stars fail to deliver enough 'gravitas' to balance with the strong leads of Conrad and Martin. This episode does not disappoint. The inclusion of several exotic waterfront sets to spice-up the drama was fun and welcomed. Mr. Martin's many waterfront character disguises were fun. The episode reminds my of another show of this time 'Mission Impossible'. This is vintage W3 at it's best.