There is NO easy way for Mannix. This is a rough and tumble episode as Joe helps a friend who is being chased by some goons. Right there, you should know that Mannix's buds come with a ton of baggage. Stewart Moss plays Joey who needs a safe place to hide. Of course, things don't work out that way; Joe gets the third degree and Joey disappears.
Who else to direct this crusin' for a brusin' adventure than John Llewelyn Moxey, behind some of the greatest (now cult) tv movies of the 70s. John had the knack for creating solid suspense scenes, and that is not an understatement. This tale leads Mannix to a judge (well played by Harold J. Stone). Stone made a career out of portraying guys with a short fuse and was in so many classic tv shows and movies. An actors actor.
The "tennis girl" who the last few reviewers are referring to (from the Mannix intros) Is Thordis Brandt, playing Miss Hampstead. Thordis was an actual nurse, who became a tech advisor on BEN CASEY and got herself into tv acting. Her big claim to fame was her relationship with James Arness from GUNSMOKE, though they never got married. That's Hollywood.
"Pressure Point" was written by Warren Duff, with a career spanning back to the 1930s. He did a few James Cagney films at Warner Brothers to his credit. At the time he was also writing for the F. B. I, which actually was on a rival network (ABC) and would later be up against MANNIX when the show moved to Sunday nights.
Paul Stewart also guest stars as Morgan, who began his long career in CITIZEN KANE, later specializing in some prime roles as a mob boss. He looked the part, the guy you wouldn't want to mess with.
Peggy's role is steadily growing, yes, and you will notice as the series continued she got a better wardrobe and a nice hair style, thanks to fans writing in with lots of suggestions. One thing to admit, fans also tuned in to see "fashion", especially when the series entered the 70s, with all the colors and new styles. I always thought the 1970s had the absolute best clothing designs; Mike Connors sported some cool jackets through the years and Gail Fisher had some wonderful pantsuits --blue was her color.
On location note: The familiar mansion here is located on South Hudson Drive, off Highland Avenue and near Hancock Park in Los Angeles. If you have the chance to drive around Hollywood, another choice spot is Outpost Drive (a few blocks from Hollywood Boulevard) where there are several old, classic Colonial houses that were featured on the series. That's the thing about Hollywood as you could get caught up in heavy traffic, turn onto a side street where everything is still and very quiet. But watch out for parking tickets!
OMG.
SEASON 2 EPISODE 3 remastered CBS dvd box set.