APB Harry Orwell

David Janssen, who ran for his life for years on "The Fugitive", must have been relieved to see this episode of "Harry O" get wrapped up so quickly! Janssen is framed for murder by a blackmailer posing as Harry Orwell, and the evidence against him is pretty damning. Even perky neighbor Farrah Fawcett-Majors can't vouch for Harry. Lesley Ann Warren (billed as simply Lesley Warren) doesn't have a very juicy role as a pawn in the crime--she's just there to be duped--but she looks great in her short pixie hairdo and bell-bottom jeans. Anthony Zerbe, as always, is amiably tough as the police lieutenant, and Farrah...well, she's got more hair than all the other actors combined (and then some). It's too much hair even for 1975, although Fawcett has a good acting scene with Zerbe and gives her one-dimensional character some real guts. Janssen never overdoes a scene, and in fact his laid-back nature probably cost him in terms of a superstar TV career, but he's just right for this type of dry, straightforward writing. The series is too dark, with rooms going half-lit and the colors mostly brown & beige. Visually it isn't an eyesore, though it is awfully drab.

Excellent story. Worthy of an Emmy.

What the producers of this show did was wisely borrow the noir slant from MANNIX, Harry in some genuinely dark situations. This is about the darkest ever. More over, writer Bill Stratton (senior writer for HAWAII FIVE O), added a slice of David Janssen's former hit show, THE FUGITIVE.

A clever actor manages to slip into Harry's beach house (pretending to be him) and kill someone, also using his car. Enough evidence and rope to hang Harry TWICE. The remarkable thing is Trench believes he's been framed, though he still has to arrest him. Much like the Fugitive, Harry is on the outside looking in. Really outside the loop. David Janssen posts a wonderful performance here. Guest star Lesley Ann Warren (in a very good dramatic role) plays Gail, part of the noir-ish mystery. Try to figure this one out.

I agree, Harry's friends come to his defense, foremost Sue (Farrah Fawcett) who has a super scene with Trench and Harry's car mechanic, Spence, played by singer and actor Bill Henderson. Some notable guest stars; Michael C. Gwynne, known for FALCON CREST, plays Randall and stone-face comedian Richard Stahl (ODD COUPLE) plays the pathologist.

PS: We all love sweet Sue.

Directed point blank by Richard Lang, good friends with David Janssen, who had just finished directing KUNG FU. Some nice beach scenes along the way and the usual cheap motels (with 70s curtains). Harry should have kept the stolen orange car!

Best of SEASON 2 EPISODE 9 remastered Warner Brothers dvd box set. The blue and green boxes are now collectors items and pricey. Shop around.