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| Mannix - The First Season | 
 enlarge | Director: Bill Bixby
Actor: Mike Connors
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $49.99
Buy New: $27.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:  39 reviews
Sales Rank: 2168
Format: Box Set, Color, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 6
Running Time: 1210
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 132814
UPC: 097361328140
EAN: 0097361328140
ASIN: B0014FAIVG
Theatrical Release Date: September 16, 1967
Release Date: June 3, 2008
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Amazon.com
One of the most fondly remembered and action-packed detective series of the late '60s and early '70s, Mannix was the brainchild creators Richard Levinson and William Link (Columbo, Murder: She Wrote) and executive producer Bruce Geller (Mission: Impossible). Mike Connors won an Emmy as the title character, a tough, streetwise private eye whose hands-on approach to cases raised the hackles of his employers, the scientific-minded Intertect, and his no-nonsense boss Lou Wickersham (Joseph Campanella). Episodes generally saw Mannix taking his share of licks, either from or in the service of that week's guest star (celebs on display in this debut season include Tom Skerritt, Karen Black, Julie Adams, William Windom, and Neil Diamond in Episode 4, "The Many Deaths of Saint Christopher"). The on-screen violence, which earned the show its devoted audience as well as critical outcry, is fairly tame by today's standards, though it preserves the show's energy and drive; the chemistry between Connors and Campanella and especially Emmy winner Gail Fisher as secretary Peggy Fair (one of the first African-American characters to appear as a regular on a television series) also keep the episodes moving at a crisp pace. Modern audiences used to more high-tech crime shows like Num3ers and the CSI franchises may find Mannix's methods sort of quaint, but those who favor classic TV fare or who remember it from its lengthy network and syndicated runs will enjoy tagging along with Joe Mannix all over again. All 24 episodes of the 1967-1968 debut season are featured on this six-disc set, including the 1967 pilot "The Name is Mannix." Connors himself is all over the DVD--not only is he interviewed with Campanella in a loose but informative featurette about their time together on the show (Wickersham was phased out by its second season in order to let Mannix work for himself), but he provides commentary on several episodes and audio introductions for just about every supplement. These include a promo clip for the show in a CBS TV special announcing the fall 1967 lineup; an interview with Connors on a 1969 episode of The Mike Douglas Show; a Paramount sales reel for prospective syndication broadcasters (with voice-over by the legendary Ernie Anderson); and a clip from a 1997 episode of Diagnosis: Murder in which Connors reprised Mannix to investigate a unsolved murder that was introduced in a '70s-era episode of that series. It's an impressive package, and should give Mannix devotees much to look forward to in regard to upcoming DVDs. --Paul Gaita
Description
From the dynamic opening credits to the closing shootout, Mannix crackles with excitement, and is finally available on DVD for the first time ever! Cool, no-nonsense private detective Joe Mannix (Mike Connors) is a tough-talking loner within the large detective agency Intertect. He has street smarts and class, but he constantly fights with his boss, Lou Wickersham (Joseph Campanella), over how to conduct their investigations. Lou relies on the company's computers, but Mannix has to go with his gut. And that's just what he does every time! One of the most popular crime shows ever, this long-running series was developed by executive producer Bruce Geller (Mission: Impossible), and features all 24 Season One episodes on 6 discs, including the rarely-seen series pilot. Brace yourself for unbeatable action — Mannix is back!
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| Customer Reviews: Read 34 more reviews...
Mannix Comes to DVD!! February 23, 2008
106 out of 109 found this review helpful
Finally, FINALLY, the very best Classic TV detective series EVER produced comes to DVD in a first-season set. For its legion of fans, it is a huge understatement to say this release is eagerly anticipated. Thanks to CBS/Parmount for putting this series out on DVD. Let's hope the remaining seasons quickly follow.
Mannix ran from 1967 through 1975 on CBS. Created by Richard Levinson and William Link and developed by executive producer Bruce Geller (who also created Mission: Impossible), the title character, Joe Mannix, is a two-fisted private investigator portrayed by Mike Connors.
Rarely has an actor so inhabited a TV character that it's impossible to separate the two. This series represents one of those times, and even the show's producers recognized it when the unusual credit proclaimed: Mike Connors IS Mannix. The ruggedly handsome Connors was the perfect match, and made the signature loud sports jackets of the time look great on his altar ego. Mannix also drove a variety of convertibles, and even had a car phone - which was unheard of at the time!
Mannix originally worked for a high-concept computerized firm known as Intertect in the rarely seen first season. This DVD set represents all of those episodes, including the series' pilot.
Mannix featured a dynamic split-screen opening credits sequence set to its theme music from noted composer Lalo Schifrin. Unusual for a private detective series, the Mannix theme is in triple time, the same signature used for a waltz.
(FYI: The show's title, opening credits and closing credits are in variations of "City Typeface," a distinctive, squared-off, split-serif face that has long been used by IBM Corporation as part of their corporate design, and continues to be used in its logo today. The use of this style of credits for Mannix spelled out his name as if on computer punch cards utilized by fictitious Intertect, but it was maintained throughout the series.)
The first season of Mannix is a lot different than the more familiar episodes that began in the second season, when Mannix opened his own agency at 17 Paseo Verde, Los Angeles, California. It was in the second season that the brilliant actress Gail Fisher was brought on board as Mannix's devoted secretary, Peggy Fair, whose cop-husband was killed in line of duty.
In the first season, Mannix is not on his own but is employed by an agency that tries to solve crimes using computers. It's great to see what passed for cutting edge technology in the late 1960's. The computers were the old mainframe type, and used punch cards and reel-to-reel tapes, which some younger viewers today may never have ever seen in use. These first season episodes are almost NEVER aired in syndication
All 24 first season episodes will be on this six-disc set with guest stars that epitomized the best of the 1960's including: Kim Hunter, singer Neil Diamond, Tom Skerritt, singers Neil Young and Stephen Stills, Richard Mulligan, Norman Fell, Army Archerd, Rona Barrett, and Karen Black. In addition, the release contains special features that include episode introductions by Golden Globe and Emmy-winning star Connors, along with an interview.
In its eight-year run, Mannix quickly became a TV staple airing on Saturday's at 10 p.m. Not only was it noted for its great writing, acting, unusual camera angles, hot cars and visuals, but also its violence. Mannix was, by one count, shot 17 times and knocked unconscious another 55 during the show's run.
During the first season of the series, Mannix worked for Intertect in large Los Angeles, which was the most high-tech detective agency in the country. His superior was Lew Wickersham, played to perfection by Joseph Campanella. The tension between the two men was entertaining, since Mannix belonged to the classic hard-boiled school of American detectives (hard drinking, womanizing but compassionate, and always quick to action.) Mannix generally ignored the computers' solutions, disobeyed Wickersham and did things his own way.
Connors incorporated his own Armenian heritage into his character. Viewers were treated to a host of great Armenian proverbs Mannix shared at some of the most interesting and unexpected times. A Korean War Army veteran, Mannix also seemed to struggle with unspoken demons from that experiences.
From the second season on, Mannix worked on his own with the assistance Peggy Fair. (Fisher was one of the first African-American actresses to have a regular series role on TV. Later in the series, the producers even considered a romantic relationship between the two, but feared it was too controversial for the time. Nonetheless, the chemistry between the two is unmistakable). He also had assistance from the police department, the two most frequently depicted were Lt. Adam Tobias (portrayed by Robert Reed) and later Lt. Art Malcolm (portrayed by Ward Wood). Other police contacts were Lt. George Kramer (Larry Linville) and Lt. Dan Ives (Jack Ging).
The series was also memorable for its cool cars, primarily convertibles, that Mannix drove. In Season 1, he drove a customized Oldsmobile Toronado convertible (Oldsmobile never produced a convertible in that model for sale); in Seasons 2-3, he drove a Dodge Dart GTS 340 convertible; in Seasons 4-6, he drove a Plymouth Barracuda convertible; in Season 7, he drove a Dodge Challenger Coupe; and in Season 8, he drove a Chevrolet Camaro LT.
Included in this DVD set is the pilot, The Name is Mannix, which truly sets the tone for the whole series. In it, maverick private-eye Mannix tries to rescue the kidnaped daughter of former rackets' boss, Sam Dubrio. Mannix bets he can get the girl back, if he can persuade her father to risk the half-million dollar ransom plus another half-million dollars to bribe the kidnapers' pickup man.
The other episodes here from the first season are: The Cost of a Vacation; Skid Marks on a Dry Run; Then the Drink Takes the Man; The Many Deaths of Saint Christopher; Make It Like It Never Happened; License to Kill, Limit Three People; Beyond the Shadow of a Dream; Warning: Live Blueberries; Turn Every Stone; Huntdown; Coffin for a Clown; A Catalogue of Sins; Run Sheep, Run; Falling Star; To Kill a Writer; Deadfall Part 1; Deadfall Part 2; You Can Get Killed Out There; Another Final Exit; Eight to Five, It's a Miracle; Delayed Action; and The Girl in the Frame.
"Mannix" arriving June 3! February 27, 2008
42 out of 47 found this review helpful
Many crime drama fans had given up hope that "Mannix" would ever come to DVD. Terrific news was announced jointly by Paramount and CBS on February 19, "Mannix -- The First Season," will be available for purchase, Tuesday, June 3. In the premier season Joe Mannix (Mike Connors) worked as an investigator for the Los Angeles based Intertect Detective Agency run by Lou Wickersham (the great character actor Joe Campanella). A treasure trove of first-rate actors appeared in "Mannix -- The First Season," including Julie Adams, Lloyd Nolan, Kim Hunter, Lynda Day George, Richard Mulligan, William Windom, Steve Ihnat, Grace Lee Whitney, Vincent Gardenia, Barbara Anderson, Bruce Gordon, Norman Fell, Beverly Garland, Richard Devon, Karen Black, Tom Skerritt, Brooke Bundy, Phillip Pine, Marilyn Mason, John Anderson, and Diana Muldaur, not to mention Neil Diamond as himself in episode 4, and Buffalo Springfield rocked in episode 7. Gail Fisher (as faithful Peggy Fair) arrived early on in Season 2. The 6-DVD set (24 episodes) contains a recently shot interview with Connors, in addition to episode intros by the star. Let's overwhelm CBS/Paramount with brisk early sales of "Mannix -- The First Season" so that the remaining seven seasons will be released in addition to (please, please) the complete season sets of the 60's/70's crime dramas "The FBI," "Cannon," and "Barnaby Jones."
Episode 1 "Name is Mannix" Lloyd Nolan, Kim Hunter, Barbara Anderson
Episode 2 "Skid Marks on Dry Road" Vincent Gardenia, Charles Drake
Episode 3 "Nothing Works Twice" Gloria DeHaven, Robert H. Harris
Episode 4 "Death of St. Christopher" John Marley, Linda Marsh
Episode 5 "Make Like It Didn't Happen" Phillip Pine, Elena Verdugo
Episode 6 "Cost of a Vacation" Marilyn Mason
Episode 7 "Warning: Live Blueberries" Tom Skerritt, Brooke Bundy
Episode 8 "Beyond Shadow of a Dream" Richard Mulligan
Episode 9 "Huntdown" Steve Ihnat, Paul Stevens
Episode 10 "Coffin for a Clown" Diana Muldaur, Norman Fell
Episode 11 "Catalogue of Sins" Percy Rodrigues
Episode 12 "Turn Every Stone" Joan Tompkins, Lindon Chiles
Episode 13 "Run, Sheep, Run" Richard Devon, Ruta Lee
Episode 14 "Drink Takes the Man" Julie Adams, John Anderson
Episode 15 "Falling Star" Marian Seldes
Episode 16 "License to Kill" Karen Black, Peter Haskell
Episode 17 "Deadfall Part I" Beverly Garland, Michael Tolan
Episode 18 "Deadfall Part II"
Episode 19 "You Can Get Killed" Marianna Hill, Mort Mills
Episode 20 "Final Exit" Jan Shepard, Larry Storch
Episode 21 "Eight to Five" Bruce Gordon
Episode 22 "Delayed Action" Robert Reed, Louise Sorel
Episode 23 "To Kill a Writer" Karl Lukas, Paul Peterson
Episode 24 "Girl in the Frame" William Windom, Leslie Parrish
Season One Was Excellent March 5, 2008
20 out of 27 found this review helpful
The 194 one-hour episodes (all in color) of detective drama "Mannix" originally aired on CBS from 1967-1975. It was a slick series, uncharacteristically violent (at least by television standards) with decent enough scripting so that there was generally logic involved in all the storylines.
Mike Conners (one of my fraternity brothers) played the title character, a maverick private eye who starts out (Season One) as a loner within "Intertect" a large detective agency. It was intended by its creators (Richard Levinson and William Link-see "Columbo") to be a man vs technology statement.
In Season One Mannix is in constant conflict with his boss Lou Wickersham (Joseph Campanella). Lou has invested big bucks in a computer system, the latest electronic technology, and assorted scientific detection gadgets; and these are central to the way he is marketing the agency's services. Mannix is an old fashion gumshoe, solving cases by hard work and instinct. Their confrontations may remind you a similar dynamic on "Kolchak: The Night Stalker".
After its first year "Mannix" became a conflicted series. The title character was a reprise of the Nick Stone character Conners played in the police drama "Tightrope" (1959-60 also on CBS). Stone and Mannix are no-frills film noir style grunts, coming out of most confrontations a bit the worse for the wear. But once the producers of "Mannix" saw the success of "Bullitt" (1968) they began to pack the series with car chases and outfit their otherwise grim gumshoe with a succession of "Munsters" inspired exotic automobiles. Can you say incongruity?
But that should not concern those about to view the Season One DVD set. Speaking of incongruity, the later seasons' content and style seems mismatched with the boxy split screen title graphics. These were a carry over from Season One where they were meant to reflect the computer and technology themes. I liked them even though they seemed out of place in subsequent seasons. I also liked the catchy theme music by Lalo Schifrin who did the theme for "Mission Impossible".
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
I'd Give SIX Stars to "Mannix - The First Season"! June 10, 2008
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
I grew up on Mike Connors' engagingly physical gumshoe, and I always felt Season One was the best of the series, so I have been walking on clouds since my copy of "Mannix - The First Season" arrived!
Digitally remastered, with audio introductions by Mike Connors, himself, the 'Bogart Meets Hi-Tech' adventures of Joe Mannix of Intertect (an idea WAY ahead of it's time, in 1967) combines the un-P.C. attitudes of the era (everybody smokes relentlessly, women are often mini-skirted window dressing, and the standard solution to problems is a right to the jaw or a bullet), with a growing awareness of changing times (counterculture is a theme of one episode, Buffalo Springfield and Neil Diamond perform, and racism is addressed, by no less than Roscoe Lee Browne). Co-starring with Connors is the wonderful Joseph Campanella, as Intertect chief 'Lew Wickersham', based on Lew Wasserman, of MCA. The exchanges between 'by-the-book' Wickersham and 'what the...' Mannix are often as much fun as the episodes, themselves!
Best of all, the Special Features actually ARE special...For this package, CBS brought back Connors (a chubby, cherubic 82), and Campanella (a razor-thin 74), for a two-part interview, to reminisce about the creation of the show, the physical hardships Connors endured, and the camaraderie of cast and crew. While a voice-over commentary for the pilot, by co-creator William Link, is silly (the concept was completely rewritten by producer Bruce Geller prior to filming, and Link knew nothing about the episode!), he does reveal that originally, Mannix's first name would never be revealed (CBS nixed this, but Link would use the idea, again, in his next series..."Columbo").
More treats are included on each disc, my favorites being TV-Land's ad for the series, focusing on Mannix's frequent pistol-whippings and shoulder wounds, a 70's "Mike Douglas" appearance, where Connors discusses his Armenian heritage, and TRIES to play a flute, and, especially, a brief clip from a 1997 "Diagnosis: Murder" episode, filmed as a sequel to a 24-year-old "Mannix" episode, with the 72-year-old detective still tackling cases!
Oh, heck, I could talk for hours about how GREAT "Mannix - The First Season" is...Just buy it, and see if you don't agree!
FINALLY!!!!! February 29, 2008
15 out of 19 found this review helpful
After years of begging and pleading with Viacom, Paramount and anyone and everyone connected with Sumner Redstone, the holders of the rights to Mannix, finally they are bringing this most excellent series out on DVD. All I can say is, what took you so long?
There are plenty of forgettable series on DVD and that Mannix has been denied to a generation of TV viewers (not to mention we Boomers who loved the show from Day One) is really too bad.
Mannix was cool for several reasons.
The cars. No matter the season, Joe Mannix had the coolest cars. From the custom Toronado convertible in the first season, to the Dart GTS to the Barracudas in later seasons, Joe's cars were always the best. Hi s cars were always customized by the great George Barris. And he had a phone! How cool was that back then?
The Music! Jaxx great Lalo Shiffrin wrote the title theme as well as much of the incidental music. The Mannix soundtrack was a strong blend of crime jazz and edgy late 60's funk. Joe and his loyal sidekick and secretary, Peggy Fair, would show up in a jazz bar on many occasions. Many music greats of the era popped up whether as themselves or as a character (Neil Diamond and Lou Rawls for starters).
The guest stars - Everyone wanted to do a Mannix gig. Check IMDB for a list - it's a who's who of Hollywood in the 1970s. Everyone from new faces trying to make it (Diane Keaton) to older actors who were on their way down (but not out) are there.
The clothes - Joe sported a series of wild plaid sports coats over the years. In the 70's those tweedy plaids with the wide lapels were the rage - and check out those linings! Peggy was always smartly dressed as well.
Heck, I could go on and on. Suffice to say that Mannix was the classiest detective drama of the era. It got a bad rap for violence, but the violence then was hardly even a tenth of what you see today. For kids growing up in the 70's the violence and gritty drama were a view to another world outside our tidy suburban homes. And it was never gratuitous.
It's here folks. Order one, order more! They make great gifts! And the more we fans order, the more likely we are to see the rest of the seasons released - some of which haven't been seen since they aired on TV back in the 1970's.
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