THIS MARKS SORT of a different entry into this legendary, albeit all too short loved series. The plot line here owes more to the OCEANS' ELEVEN school of caper stories, rather than to the standard scumbag underworld vs. the law.
INASMUCH AS THIS story and episode dates back a full 50 years, the former army buddies were described as veterans from the Korean War. The Vietnam Conflict was still raging and hence, the highly overworked ploy of the "psychotic Nam veteran" hadn't been born yet.
Although THE CAST was kept taut in both numbers in both those featured as well as any extra "uncredited" players, the on screen action does not suffer. The show does its usual showcasing of the regular characters in moving the plot along. We have Van Williams (Hornet/Britt Reid), Wende Wagner (a knockout of a beauty as Miss Lenore Case, the Green Hornet's confidant), Lloyd Gough (as comic relief ex-cop turned reporter, Mike Axford). Joining Bruce Lee (Kato) in the action was Walter Brooke (as D.A. Frank Scanlon); who gets to mascaraed as a prison veteran, hard-boiled yegg.
THIS EPISODE HAS not one, but two actors of guest star status. Both Ralph Meeker and Raymond St. Jacques turn in their usual fine performances and are most convincing in their portrayals.
THIS IS ONE series that saw both the heights and the depths of the ratings game. THE GREEN HORNET started out like a rising sky rocket; but alas, quickly turned its arc back toward terra firma. We have always lamented the all too short run that it had in network first showing.
