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Take Phillip Marlowe or Sam Spade, drop him in 1967 L.A. where he works for a high-tech detective outfit (dig the refrigerator-size computers!) but still goes with his gut, his instinct, his heart, and when the time calls for it, his fists and his sidearm, and you've got "Mannix" (the network added the first name of "Joe," but in the commentary we learn the creators just wanted him to have an enigmatic last name). The first season, hardly ever seen in reruns, features solid writing, great guest stars including some surprisingly hip music acts (Neil Diamond! Buffalo Springfield!), and terrific production values. Sure, there were other private eye shows - there always will be - but few did it with such panache. Every episode seems to feature at least one argument between Mannix and his technocrat boss, a client who is not what he or she claims, a gorgeous gal or two in a miniskirt, a couple of gun battles, and more fistfights than anyone could keep count. One ep even sees our hero go up against a half-dozen baddies while bound in a straitjacket. From a technical standpoint, the video transfer is exceptional. It looks like it was shot yesterday! Don't confuse these with the the murky DVD's burned from home tapes. (I'm not too proud to admit buying these over the years when nothing else was available.) These are straight from the CBS vault, uncut and pristine. You'll see the difference as soon as the famous opening credits roll. And the sound is just as crisp. Each disc opens with a montage set to Lalo Schifrin's superb waltz-time theme music, so your pulse is quickened even before choosing an episode. There are some decent bonus features as well, even Mike Connors himself giving a brief audio introduction to each episode. On top of that, it's reasonably priced, especially for a 6-disc set, and you can find some really good deals for it right here on eBay (like yours truly). Happy viewing!Read full review
Mannix is the original Private Detective television series. And to me it will always be the best. This series absolutely invented the genre in my opinion. I saw almost every episode on its' first run (at least when my parents let me stay up lol). This show paved the way for others such as Magnum, P.I., The Rockford Files, Simon and Simon, Spenser For Hire, Barnaby Jones, and the list goes on. The Bruce Geller production and Lalo Schifrin soundtrack are awesome and were ahead of their time. And of course, there has never been a cooler star than Mike Connors as Private Investigator Joe Mannix. The first season portrays Mannix as working for a large detective firm called "Intertec". Later episodes depict Mannix as having left the firm to go into Private practice with a secretary named "Peggy" played by the incredible Gail Fisher, who steals the spotlight in many scenes as she could almost always solve the case from her desk while Mannix was out detecting and look great doing it. Some of the best scenes aside from the action (of which there is plenty) include Mannix arguing with his boss, "lew", played originally by Joseph Campanella, usually over whether to investigate using computer data or Mannixs' gut feelings and feel for the streets. Yes, to all you youngsters out there, there were computers in the 60's and 70's but they were in a floor of a building instead of sitting on your lap lol. If you like crime drama, especially those involving Private Detectives and sophisticated themes, you owe it to yourself to check out the original. You won't be disappointed.Read full review
Mannix was one of a number of long running series that started in the 1960s and ended in the 1970s (others include Ironside, Adam 12, Hawaii Five-O) We see the transition from the Vietnam-era 1960s to the disco era 1970s which is very beneficial for those who didn't live during that day. And of course don't forget the great cars, long before three digit gas prices, concerns for fuel mileage and climate change. Season One is unique in that Mannix works for a large private detective company, Intertech. His boss Lou Wickersham (Joseph Campanella) often comes at odds with his subordinate but all ends well. The next year, Mannix will leave Intertech to open his own place. Above all, Mannix believes in truth and justice (and pays for it dearly often being shot at, beat up and dodging many attempts to run him down) Perhaps the best example of believing in truth and justice is in a Season 3 episode in which Mannix's client is none other than his secretary's 8 year old son. In a different episode Mannix says "when you hire me, you hire my conscience". Highly recommended, though can be violent at times.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This is the way to remember Mannix, he beats up the bad guys, and charms the ladies. This is the first season and does not feature the lovely, late Gail Fisher, but there's plenty of action.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I remember watching this show late at night on Friday & Saturday nights back in the late 1960's & early 1970's decades as I was a child then. Glad to have found the 1st season at such an excellent price. Great value!!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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