Hamilton Starr is a blind man obsessed with finding the Auroras, a fabulous diamond collection stolen years ago.Hamilton Starr is a blind man obsessed with finding the Auroras, a fabulous diamond collection stolen years ago.Hamilton Starr is a blind man obsessed with finding the Auroras, a fabulous diamond collection stolen years ago.
- Jonah
- (as Bill Durham)
- Howard Graham
- (as Steve Dunne)
Featured reviews
This is an excellent episode with some interesting and funny characters, an intriguing story and some nice twists.
Victor Buono is terrific as Hamilton Starr and has some hilarious one-liners. Speaking of hilarious, check out the red and blue plaid pants that Eddie Ryder is wearing at the beginning. They're just as bad as the similar plaid pants worn by Peter Haskell in A World Without Sundays just two episodes ago.
There are no clichés, which continues the trend for this season as most episodes so far have had very few if any of them.
The one problem I had is at the end when Starr, who is blind, is able to overtake and kill Orville, who is much bigger and is not blind. This is obviously implausible and laughable, but beyond that, this one is terrific and is one of the best episodes this season.
The age-old tale of the man with a plan to steal a fortune --only this time he's blind? Victor Bouno plays Hamilton Starr, an eccentric blind man of means (he resides on a yacht) who lives and breaths for the Auroras, an elusive collection of diamonds, believed to have been stolen years ago.
Mannix also has a connection to the mysterious case, one of his past cases. A whole lot of fun, bordering on film noir with the usual twists. Malcolm teams with Joe and they toss a bunch of theories back and forth. Watching them is fun, and you have to admit, they make a super team trying to piece this unique puzzle together.
Much credit to writer Ben Roberts, who created CHARLIES ANGELS, and wrote, perhaps, the greatest crime thriller of all time, WHITE HEAT (1949) for James Cagney.
Peggy also has some more exposure for a change of pace. Rascally Charles Tyner plays Jonah, who got his start in films thanks to Paul Newman. Bethel Leslie (known for the DOCTORS) plays Lois.
Fun to spot the classic actor; 1940s star and Hollywood DJ Steve Dunne, still smooth as ever. He also appeared on THE BRADY BUNCH, shot at Paramount.
OLD SCHOOL BIT: the secret envelope shoved under Mannix's door with the pasted on letters. Priceless. Inspired by CHARLIE CHAN, of course. The crew must have been watching the Late, Late Show.
Victor Buono is unforgettable, and what an ending. He borrows from a film that made him famous, THE STRANGLER.
SEASON 7 EPISODE 10 remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd box set. Famous Seven Bullet Box.
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the second time Bethel Leslie's character was involved with a blind person. The first being The Wild Wild West (1965): The Night of the Sabatini Death (1969).
- GoofsOn the boat Starr says to Orville "We make a good pair, you and I. You're my eyes, and I'm your brain," but his lips don't say 'brain.'
- Quotes
Orville Moffatt: [entering Starr's cabin on a boat] He was exactly where you said, Mr. Starr, at Jonah's Place.
Hamilton Starr: Welcome aboard, Mannix. Well, how does he look, Orville? Have the years treated him kindly?
Orville Moffatt: Looks about the same.
Joe Mannix: Well, you finally got your hands on the Auroras, huh?
Hamilton Starr: Magnificent, aren't they? Banked fires to warm a man's soul. No wonder so many people have died for them through the years.
Joe Mannix: Last night you nearly added Terry Graham's name to the list.
Hamilton Starr: I had nothing to do with the attack on Miss Graham.
Joe Mannix: You expect me to believe that? When you're sitting here gloating over this collection?
Hamilton Starr: [laughs] My dear fellow, these are nothing but paste. Your eyes are deceiving you. You're a man of keen senses, Mannix. Use them. These have no melody, no... heat. The Auroras burn and sing. That's why I've wanted them all my life- not to sell, just to own that fierce light. It would be almost like having my sight back.
[pause]
Hamilton Starr: So I planned. For years, I planned. Blueprints of Robert Blakely's house, the design of the safe, servants' schedule, nights watchman's rounds. Right, Orville?
Orville Moffatt: How can you forget?
Hamilton Starr: And finally, five years ago, I moved. There was only one thing I couldn't anticipate- the worthless imitations in the safe. Someone had beaten me to the Auroras.
Joe Mannix: Howard Graham.
Hamilton Starr: Exactly. Yeah. Rather a bitter joke on Mr. Blakely, wouldn't you say? Hoodwinked by the son-in-law he despised. Took me years before I was sure it was Graham. Then Jonah came to my rescue. He told me that Graham was prepared to deal for the jewels. I sent Orville here on his trail, he saw the girl come into the park, and there were the Auroras within arm's length. Orville lost them as a runt hound might lose a hapless rabbit.
Orville Moffatt: I did the best I could.
[lights a cigar for Starr]
Hamilton Starr: Yes. And that's the pity of it.
[pause]
Hamilton Starr: Sorry, Mannix. The point is, someone else got the Auroras, which is the reason for your being my guest this morning.
Joe Mannix: Who else could have known Graham had them?
Hamilton Starr: Who else, indeed, Mannix? Mannix, I want the Auroras. I'm willing to pay you for them. But, unless I get them soon, there's going to be more blood on them.
Joe Mannix: If there is, Starr, I'll find you.
Hamilton Starr: Don't try to threaten me. I've lived in the dark too long to be frightened by anything. The Auroras, Mannix. Hard way, the easy way... it's up to you.
[Mannix leaves the cabin]
Hamilton Starr: We'll have them soon, Orville. Did I offend you?
Orville Moffatt: It's... you know, it's in front of people.
Hamilton Starr: Sorry. We make a good pair, you and I. You're my eyes, and I'm your brain. It's a very satisfactory arrangement.