Mod Squad (TV Series) Fever (1970) User Reviews

Julie's Vacation

[kgraovac · 7/10 · 7 December 2023]

A decent episode about kidnapping and an impending flu epidemic. Julie's still sporting the unflattering Linda McCartney hairdo, and she picks up a hitchhiker who has kidnapped his young son and wants Julie to help him get to L. A. Strange to see no seat belts being used by anyone, and when the boy gets sick, she lays him across her lap in the front seat!

Funny how styles and fashions changed so quickly during this period and actors could look radically different just a few years apart. I thought Robert Viharo looked familiar but I couldn't place him at first. Then, it hit me so I looked it up. Yup, he had a small part in VALLEY OF THE DOLLS as the director who fired Neely O'Hara just because Helen Lawson said so! The commune leader at the beginning looked like James Cromwell in an Indian wig, but it wasn't him.

Brooke Bundy's in this one, but she gives a strange performance here, as though she's been sedated.

JULIE HOOKED UP WITH MORE DESPERATE FOLKS!

[tcchelsey · 9/10 · 21 December 2023]

Julie is too nice of a person, and that's the big flaw here when she picks up a hitchhiker (Robert Viharo) who is also a kidnapper, wanting to escape with his young son and get lost in Los Angeles. His father-in-law has the big bucks and he wants nothing more to do with him.

At first, it all sounds like a family problem, but the sobering fact comes out that Viharo (as Cliff) and his son are slowly suffering the effects of Rocky Mountain Fever.

Beware! Popular writer Paul Schneider wrote this man on the run adventure, but made one little mistake. The fever is NOT contageous, so actually Julie would be out of any danger. Rocky Mountain Fever is caused by the bite of a tick. However, yes, it can be fatal if not immediately treated.

To note; twins John and David Mutch alternate as Viharo's young son. The Mutch twins gained fame as Gerber baby food models, also appearing on MARCUS WELBY at the time.

This one runs fast (cars skidding out of parking lots) with some excellent acting on the part of Robert Viharo, quite popular on tv at the time. He made his debut on DARK SHADOWS. Pretty Brooke Bundy (as Trudy Hansen) is always great to watch, typically as the young lady caught up in a tug of war, which this is.

Lots of veteran actors, such as Harlan Warde playing the doctor. Warde appeared in many tv westerns, notably THE RIFLEMAN. Gruff Ken Lynch plays the sheriff (a perfect role for him), and big guy Karl Swenson, a top dramatic actor, a staple in many cop shows.

The boss, Tige Andrews, tries to hold down the fort. Not easy. Tige was the best. He said in later years he was very proud of this show.

Writer Paul Schneider later wrote many episodes for LOVE OF LIVE.

From SEASON 3 EPISODE 12 remastered Paramount/ABC dvd box set.