The Cure That Kills

This was the second episode Worley Thorne wrote, distinguished television writer and a prominent figure in the Hollywood writers guild for years.

A knockout, another TOP 10 episode for the series and CBS.

In the villain department -- for a change -- enter Peter Strauss. He plays (and very convincingly) a slippery preacher called Reverend Will. He has a gift for gab, banking big bucks for bogus miracle cures, tricking rich, sickly donors into leaving him their money when they die. A young lady follower, who knows TOO much, is subsequently murdered and Cannon takes the case.

An excellent expose on faith healing rackets, still newsworthy to this day.

Note; there's a hardcore scene (and it's tough to watch) -- Cannon is nearly strangled to death. Strauss' right hand man is the strangler, one creepy henchmen. Director Seymour Robbie did his job.

Special guest star, director (CHARLIE CHAN) and actor Norman Foster, who plays the victim's father. Foster was married to Sally Blane, star of many 1930s westerns and thrillers, the sister of Loretta Young. I'm sure William Conrad asked Sally to appear, but she preferred to stay retired, although did interviews.

Look for Naomi Stevens (Corky), seen on DORIS DAY and VEGAS. She worked with William Conrad at Warner Brothers/ABC during the final season of 77 SUNSET STRIP, among other WB shows. You can tell they're old pals.

The ending is a mini classic; Strauss zeroes in on Andrew Parks, who may not have long to live, and the tables turn. Interesting to see Parks as a victim, usually cast as cons. Cannon's "walking on water..." line is a winner that sums up the sad affair.

Some beautiful shots of Bluff Beach, outside Long Beach, California. This is a ritzy beach community with some incredible historical houses, dating back to the early 1900s.

SEASON 3 EPISODE 22 remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd (blue and red) box set. You may want to get the box for one of Peter Strauss' best tv performances, worthy of an Emmy.

Familiar 1970s TV actor Peter Strauss plays Reverend Will, a morally challenged preacher to say the least! Not only does he sell miracle cures and encourages his followers to give up medical treatment in favor of his brand of faith, but he also courts rich, ill donors and has his assistant speed up the process so that these folks' estates go right to the Reverend! Cannon begins investigating the case of a woman's disappearance and when she eventually is discovered dead, all lead point to the Reverend and his strongman.

This episode of "Cannon" should not offend anyone and is a good public service. It is not anti-religion but anti stupid religions. In this case, it's not just stupid but downright evil...with a trail of bodies that Cannon follows to close the case. Well worth seeing and well written. I noticed how incredibly kind Cannon was in this as well as the next episode...one of the things that sometimes set this series apart from other similar detective programs.

I watch anything with Peter Strauss, in it, such as "Death with Father", in Hawaii 5-O.

He plays the part of the false reverend, so well here.

This is an accurate portrayal, of exactly what is seen, in most so called healers of today.

Good episode.