Cry Wolf

Back in 1968, in the original season of "Hawaii Five-O", there was an episode called "Tiger by the Tail". It was about a spoiled rich young adult who pretended to be kidnapped in order to get money from his family. After a while, the friends who helped him realize that the kidnapping COULD be a real one...and they soon decide to kill the rich kid in order to keep everything for themselves. In so many ways, this is like "Cry Wolf". The two programs are so similar that you must assume the writer was influenced by this older episode.

So what all this means is that although it is an enjoyable installment of "Cannon", it's not exactly original or a must-see. My advice is to see the "Hawaii Five-O" episode first...and if you think you'd like to see it all over again, watch "Cry Wolf".

I agree with the last reviewer this episode may have been re-worked from a HAWAII FIVE O story (starring Sal Mineo), but there's another footnote.

Case in point, and because I'm a fan of Harold Gould, there was an earlier episode called "Prisoners" (SEASON 2) where a rich kid, also mixed up with bad company, fakes his kidnapping to get his parents' money. Gould played his father. In this case, Ralph Bellamy (famous for playing FDR) plays a fabulously wealthy gentleman whose grandson also fakes his kidnapping. It's amazing how the richer the victims are, the more connivers come out of the woodwork. True, an old story, but the actors shine. Unfortunately, Bellamy's only series appearance. He and William Conrad working together is memorable, especially for all us movie buffs.

Written by co-producer Stephen Kandel, who wrote 10 episodes, also for MANNIX and HARRY O. Ralph Bellamy generally played doctors on tv, and prior to this episode was on MEDICAL CENTER. John David Carson portrays Benjy, the young man in question. He's not Sal Mineo, but he's good in the role. John became famous at the start of his career because he used the name "Johnny Carson." He got into some legal troubles with the talk show host and had to change his name, but it gave him a lot of exposure. Best known for the dark comedy PRETTY MAIDS ALL IN A ROW (1971) playing a lonely kid who is coached by a serial killer on how to get a date? One film you have to see.

Gary Lockward, a Quinn Martin alum, plays Mark, and not a friendly guy. Look for John Keach (in another series appearance), the brother of Stacy Keach.

This episode is also of special interest to fans of Laura Hippe, who plays Joanne. Laura later became an acting teacher. However, she was also connected to the church of scientology and committed suicide. Her tragic story is still noted to this day.

Maria Grimm guests stars as Julie, and in a very good role. She also appeared on MOD SQUAD, many other cop shows.

Super late night adventure, directed by Larry Dobkin. He brought out the best with this cast.

SEASON 5 EPISODE 20 remastered CBS/Paramount dvd box set. 7 dvds. Final season collectors box, similar artwork to Mannix Season 8.