After decades of watching both shows, I believe Betty got kidnapped LESS than Peggy on MANNIX. It's also fair enough to say the writers of both shows kept track of each other's storylines.
Familiar territory, but still a very good drama all about a desperate man called Cory Doyle (played by popular young actor Barry Brown) who kidnaps Betty in order to force Barnaby to take a look into his imprisoned brother's case, wrongfully convicted of murder. Just who set him up and why?
Watch very carefully how it all unfolds...
This story is a bit more sobering, as it's not just a kidnapping. Cory also threatens to kill Betty if Barnaby fails to meet his demands.... and time is running out. The acting is quite good in this episode, credit Mel Damski, who was a relatively new director at the time, but showed lots of promise and later became an Oscar nominee. In a few years he would be a regular director for LOU GRANT, and many more tv shows for decades.
Special guest star James Luisi plays older brother Joe Doyle, frequently cast on the series. Look for popular character actress Nora Marlowe as Mother McCoy. Love that name. Yes, Bob Harks, famous bit character actor for decades, plays a patron at the yacht club.
Barry Brown went on to appear in the cult film PIRANHA before tragically taking his own life in 1978. Another sad Hollywood ending, and hopefully he is not forgotten.
On a lighter note, watch Barnaby --who asks for a simple glass of milk at the elite yacht club. He is billed $2.50, which today would be about 13.00!!!
That would mean a glass of beer, about double the price of milk, would amount to 26.00 dollars!
Holy smokin' aces!
Watch this and root for Betty's safe return. From SEASON 4 EPISODE 17 remastered color CBS dvd box set.