These guys are nasty.
Well done crime drama, and give credit to the acting, notably Tim O'Connor. He plays Matthews, a tabloid newsman who has gotten a few people upset. Subsequently, its the old stick him in a room with a prostitute routine. Only this time she's dead.
Cannon has to match wits with the town locals, and these folks play dirty pool. O'Connor, a favorite of producer Quinn Martin, also appeared on BARNABY JONES ( both good guy/bad guy roles), best remembered for PEYTON PLACE.
If you're a series fan, you'll note some similarities to this story and a Season 2 episode that starred Barry Nelson, also as a news editor, accused of killing a young woman.
Larry Forrester wrote this episode, famous for writing one of the great WWII movies, TORA, TORA, TORA. He was also behind classic shows, like HART TO HART and FANTASY ISLAND. Ramon Bieri plays Captain Stevens and Patricia Smith returns to the series, as Emily. Smith was also known for THE DEBBIE REYNOLDS SHOW and BOB NEWHART.
According to notes, Emily smokes Gauloises French cigarettes, which are considered strong with a combination of tobacco from Syria and Turkey. However, American made Marlborough still ranks as the most potent cigarettes. Good trivia question.
Wallace Rooney plays Simmons, who played Bishop Michael in THE EXORCIST a few years earlier.
Impossible to miss Barney Phillips, for the hundredth time, playing a desk sergeant (who Cannon plays a neat trick on), and famous bodybuilder Ed Fury (also as a cop). He appeared in many tv shows. Fury passed in 2023 at age 94.
Another example of top writing and directing.
SEASON 5 EPISODE 17 CBS/Paramount dvd box set. 7 dvd collector set. First episode of 1976 and HAPPY NEW YEAR.
