No Sign of the Cross

I would agree that the best parts are watching Broderick Crawford and Jory. It seems that Crawford's health was in a big decline as his voice is very raspy like as if he had throat cancer, just seems like. Hard to believe he was around 60 years old when filming this, he seems much older. Jory has a good role and gives a more nuanced account. My question to anyone out there is just what kind of running shoes was Banacek wearing during his visit to the ranch? It seemed to me very apparent that it was a kind of product placement as they stuck out a bit too much.

Thomas Banacek(George Peppard) is called in by the Catholic Church in order to recover a golden cross stolen en-route by couriers in Mexico that is of much religious and monetary value. It was purchased from a third party by a former American gangster(played by Broderick Crawford) because he wants to try to redeem himself in the eyes of God, as he is in ill-health. He suspects another gangster and hated rival(played by Victor Jory), of the theft, but Thomas isn't so sure, as there are a variety of suspects to choose from. Rambling episode isn't that memorable but still reasonably entertaining. Murray Matheson as Felix Mullholland is absent, though Ralph Manza as Jay Drury at least appears.

A pair of big screen veterans, Broderick Crawford and Victory Jory, head the guest cast of this Banacek episode as a pair of old time gangsters. In true gangster tradition Crawford buys a valuable cross encrusted with jewels and gold, kind of like a spiritual Maltese Falcon and was going to donate it to a church in Los Angeles. He got it from Jory through a ruse and Jory isn't happy.

The piety and affiliation for organized religion from some criminals never ceases to amaze me. So many in real life want to expiate their sins with acts like these.

Anyway someone pulls a Murphy switch and the cross that arrives in the Los Angeles Archdiocese is just a plain metal one. Unofficially George Peppard is working for the Archdiocese and they can sure afford his fee. A murder comes with the switch and Peppard solves both.

Like you thought he wouldn't.

When the story begins, an incredibly valuable jewel-encrusted cross is being packed and readied for transportation from Mexico to the United States. It all seems to go off without a hitch, but when the suitcase arrives at its destination, the case is opened and the cross inside is a cheap imitation!

This episode is interesting due to the guest stars. Victor Jory and Broderick Crawford, two old-time Hollywood actors provide some color for the episode. Additionally, like the first two episodes I saw, this one is immaculately written and intelligent....and well worth seeing.