Search - Banacek - The Second Season on DVD

Kinder and gentler . . .

trebe | 02/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"George Peppard returns for the second and last season of Banacek. Like a magician's illusion, each episode opens with the unveiling of some sensational happening that seems to defy logical explanation. Typically something extremely valuable has disappeared, leaving an insurance company on the hook for a huge loss. Faced with a case too challenging for their in-house staff to handle, Boston based investigator Thomas Banacek is the man that insurance companies turn to. Brilliant, affluent, handsome, and refined, Banacek is the best at what he does, and he knows it. For a ten per-cent recovery fee, he takes on these unusual and perplexing cases, with a low-key style and a quiet confidence that is disarming, and which his competitors find exasperating.

Banacek travels around the country, driven by his chauffeur Jay (Ralph Manza), and strategically aided by his friend, book dealer Felix Mullholland (Murray Matheson). Some of the technology and methods employed to commit the crimes, may not have held water too well even back then, and may be even less credible today, but like a magic trick, often it is the presentation, executed with style and panache that provides the entertainment. The outrageously crimes and detective work, make the series well worth watching.

The there are eight episodes in season two. A nice bonus is `Detour to Nowhere' the series pilot, which completes the series. A brief summary of the nine episodes in this collection follows.

Detour to Nowhere (Pilot): An armored car carrying a fortune in gold mysteriously vanishes in the desert, while in transit from Texas to the Oklahoma border. After sixty days, unresolved insurance matters are open for anyone to claim a ten percent finder's fee. At that point, Banacek steps into the case, much to the dismay of the insurance investigators currently working on the matter. After meeting Carlie Kirkland (Christine Belford) for the first time, Banacek heads to Texas, where he hooks up with limousine driver, Jay Drury (Ralph Manza), and begins investigating this most perplexing case. Clever writing gets the series off to a great start, in an episode that features some nice cinematography.

No Stone Unturned: A large granite artwork disappears after being delivered to a gallery. With the help of a video journalist (Candy Clark), Banacek takes on the case competing with investigators Kirland and Henry DeWitt (Linden Chiles). The solution is one of the weaker ones, but still a pretty good episode, that also features Gary Lockwood, and Don Stroud.

If Max is So Smart, Why Doesn't He Tell Us Where He Is?: `Max' is a large computer specializing in diagnosing medical problems, that mysteriously disappears from a secured building, leaving only debris and wires hanging from the ceiling grid. Banacek's task is to determine poor Max's fate. Credibility and romance is a bit thin in this one, but seeing Thomas in a scuba suit, shades and a cigar is hilarious.

The Three Million Dollar Piracy: Actress Diana Maitland (Arlene Martell) is to be wed to a Middle Eastern shah. Her wedding gift, a fabulous jeweled coach vanishes while being loaded onboard a ship in Boston harbor, under the direct supervision of engaged investigators DeWitt and Kirkland. Banacek must solve the mystery quickly as the ship must leave port soon. A great episode with ample action, intrigue, and beautiful women, that keeps you guessing until the end.

The Vanishing Chalice: An ancient Greek artifact seemingly disappears while on display at a private showing. Banacek investigates, with Carlie officially assigned as his aide, in this mystery that features intrigue, murder, and a really inventive solution. Guest stars include John Saxon, Eric Braden, and Sue Ann Langdon.

Horse of a Slightly Different Color: While running a trial lap, a champion racehorse mysteriously transforms into another horse. The colt's overbearing owner wants Banacek on the case. Lane Bradbury provides a change of pace from the usual Banacek love interest in this equestrian mystery that also features Anne Francis.

Rocket to Oblivion: A top secret rocket engine disappears from a scientific expo, bringing Banacek to the scene, to reunite with an old friend (Linda Evans) promoting the event. Carlie is also present, and everyone has to contend with the angry owner of the missing engine (Andrew Prine).

Fly Me If You Can Find Me: A plane develops engine trouble and is forced to make an emergency landing at an isolated Nevada airfield at night. The crew retires to a motel, but when they return in the morning, the plane has vanished and a man lies dead. Reminiscent of the pilot, this is one of the best episodes in the series, as Banacek returns to the desert. On his way to solving this grand illusion, he romances a gorgeous stewardess (Victoria Principal), and provides enlightenment regarding Dortmunder and Munchner beers.

No You See Me, Now You Don't: In Los Angeles, banker Bradley Merrick (Jay Robinson) vanishes for real on stage, while performing a magic trick with his daughter (Gretchen Corbett), just as the police are about to arrest him for theft. Banacek is soon on the case, in the middle of a heated family drama that eventually takes him to Las Vegas, only a few steps behind a killer. The series finale is a gritty mystery that finds Banacek winding things up in magician's garb, though the solution is marred by an implausible impersonation.

And so we bid farewell to Banacek, it was a great ride while it lasted. These are very entertaining mysteries, that can be watched over and over again. George Peppard was ideal in the role. The character seems toned down a bit in season two, becoming a less abrasive and curbing his amorous urges as well. While not greeted with open arms, his presence is not met with the same level of animosity as in the first season. The series was slated for a third season, when Peppard quit the show because he was divorcing actress Elizabeth Ashley, and didn't want to add to his net worth. So a failed real-life marriage, was apparently responsible for the great Banacek's demise
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