I have no idea why, but there were quite a few episodes of TV detectives going to crappy towns in New Mexico where the law doesn't care about upholding the law. Mannix went to a couple of these places and so did Cannon a couple times. It makes me wonder if perhaps the state had a bad reputation back in the day...and I wonder WHY this might have been the case! The folks in New Mexico couldn't be that bad...as they actually filmed it in Las Cruces, New Mexico. I was in the state a few days ago and wasn't roughed up by police!
The story begins with Cannon returning home after an extended trip abroad. He returns to learn that an old friend was murdered...and his wife is a suspect. So, he heads to New Mexico and encounters something he never anticipated...an extremely hostile town and cops who are either on the take or who have zero interest in enforcing the law. At every turn, someone's attacking Cannon or threating him or the chief suspect...and the police do less than nothing. In some cases, they actively try to harm him or stand aside as folks are about to hurt the man! In this insane climate, is there anything this private dick can do?
This pilot episode of "Cannon" plays much like the show...so, if you love the show (like I do), by all means see it. The plot, while somewhat familiar, is well done and enjoyable. My only quibble is that in such a town, why wouldn't Cannon have contacted the FBI or Justice Department about the corrupt police force? Just an odd little omission....in an otherwise excellent TV movie.
