This is the pilot for what would be the Banacek TV series. As was usually done at that time, the pilot would be a special TV movie, so even if the TV series wasn't picked up, the networks would still have a nice TV movie for everyone.
In any event, this is a top notch TV movie as all the elements work: Great acting from George Peppard as the lead, excellent supporting cast, and a fun mystery story that has the audience guessing. The twist with Banacek is, unlike Columbo or so many other TV detectives, he's not trying to solve a murder, but figure out a crime that is essentially a vanishing act: How did an armored car just disappear, who did it, and maybe most importantly, how did they do it?
Peppard plays Banacek as a wealthy, successful, cultured, suave, and very, very cool character who does not show emotion and always - I mean always - remains calm. This is tough to pull off - Columbo often featured little comedy bits where Columbo did goofy things - but Peppard often lets the camera linger on him while he doesn't react to something, which in itself is a reaction!
The supporting cast feature many accomplished actors who by the time of Banacek in many cases had appeared in some classic movies and shows. Murray Matheson - Banacek's urbane librarian and factotum friend, is a personal favorite. He appeared in the classic Twilight Zone and I remember him fondly from a couple episodes of the Boris Karloff hosted "Thriller," especially one where he's out to poison everyone.
You'll recognize Banacek's driver, played by Ralph Manza, as he seemingly was in every TV show from the 70's to the 1990's, including Seinfeld. The episode also prominently features Ed Nelson, who brought some flair to whatever character he was doing. Nelson also appeared in the original Twilight Zone, the original Outer Limits, and four episodes of Thriller.
The Banacek-Raymond Burr connection is strong in this pilot. Nelson appeared in both Perry Mason and Ironside, Manza was in four episodes of Perry Mason and also in Ironside, Don Dubbins was in Ironside, Matheson was in Perry Mason, George Murdock was in seven (!) episodes of Ironside.
Finally, a special shout-out to J. Pat O'Malley, who plays the shopkeeper. Once you see his face you'll "know him" without knowing his name. He he has great character and could bring a little something to even the smallest part. He was in tons of Disney movies and TV shows, and of course was also in the original Twilight Zone, Thriller, and of course, Perry Mason and Ironside!
My only trepidation after watching this pilot was the thought, whoa, can the TV series keep this up? It's not a spoiler to say, yes it did!
