Written by: Chuck at 11:27 pm
Writer: Various
Director: Various
Cast: William Conrad
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: July 8, 2008
I remember Cannon well. It was one of those shows that I would watch every week. I suppose I am getting older because I rarely think of it anymore, but when it turned up on my desk I was all ready to get reviewing. The 70s put out some pretty okay television and in the earlier part of the decade that included Cannon. While detective and cop shows can largely be the same, I always viewed Cannon as an overly chubby Robin Hood. Sure he drove a fly car (and wrecked it equally as much as he drove it) and lived well, but he always made sure to charge his rich clients a little bit more, just so he could give the poor ones a deal.
Cannon was a complete loner. He didn’t have a sidekick or a partner. Hell, he didn’t even have a secretary. This guy did it all alone. He might have had a weight problem and wanted to work it alone, but like my granddaddy always said, “If you want it done right do it yourself…” I guess Frank wanted it done right. Say what you will, he did it right enough to make it for about five successful seasons.
Release Information:
Cannon was a fan favorite back in the first season, or at least it was for me. I think the thing that initially attracted me to Cannon, was the action. I was a rough kid and liked rough, action shows. My parents always seemed to like the guest stars that appeared on the show. It seemed that the first season brought out all the popular stars of the early 1970s.
This DVD release marks the first time that Cannon has been on DVD. This first season, volume one set includes twelve episodes from the initial season. Paramount, in conjunction with CBS, will be release this first box set on July 8, 2008. You should be able to pick this set up at most stores that sell DVD box sets. You can find this on Amazon for pre-order to be shipped on July 8, for $25.99.
The Cannon: Season One, Vol. 1 Plot
Frank Cannon is a man that likes to eat out and solve crimes. I suppose that we are both alike in that way. The main difference being that I don’t really solve crimes. Cannon (William Conrad) is a hefty guy that is joked at about his weight, but he equally jokes back. He spends more time commanding the screen and solving the problems that he sets out to solve though. Don’t let this guy fool you, because he is able to knock someone out when it comes right down to it.
This is a show that rests on the plots more than the character developments. That is alright though because the only real main character here is Cannon. His presence certainly commands authority and is able to hold itself on screen. It’s obvious that Conrad can give the audience what is necessary for the character. If a lesser actor would have been used with this lack of development there might have been trouble. However, with Conrad the strength of Cannon shines through.
There are plenty of things that feel unrealistic here, but that’s the beauty of television. Sure, Cannon is able to get on the telephone and know you’re at the hospital when he hears the tiny squeak of a gurney’s wheel roll by, but that’s what makes things interesting. Action fans will enjoy the bumbling criminals in these episodes. Quite a few people get shot or maimed on this show. Even Cannon ends up with his fair share of bruises and non-fatal gunshots.
The eleven episodes are spread out onto four discs with information about each episode being listed alongside the title.
Disc One
“Pilot”: Here we find Cannon waiting around in a small town doing nothing but waiting to hear about a speeding charge. However, once Cannon begins to investigate the murder of an old friend’s wife, the town is more than happy to see him go. This pilot has Vera Miles (Psycho) as a guest star.
“The Salinas Jackpot”: Tom Skerritt (Bonneville) guest stars in this episode that has Cannon tracking a couple of killer clowns that have robbed a rodeo.
“Death Chain”: Sorrell Booke (Dukes of Hazzard) stars in this mystery about a man who spies his mistress being kidnapped. Eventually, it’s discovered that she is dead and Cannon is hired to prove the man didn’t do it.
Disc Two
“Call Unicorn”: Wayne Rogers (MASH) is the man of the hour in this episode. Cannon battles a hijacking ring while posing as a trucker.
“Country Blues”: This episode stars Joan Van Ark (Knots Landing) and Mark Hamill (Star Wars IV). The plot deals with a country singer who meets a fiery end in a plane crash. Cannon, being the crime ace that he is, suspects foul play.
“Scream of Silence”: Cannon is on the lookout for a boy that managed to escape his kidnappers. The problem is that the boy is in shock and cannot speak.
Disc Three
“Fool’s Gold”: Vic Tayback (Alice) stars in this episode that has Cannon traveling to a small town to search for a cool and stolen $900,000.
“Girl in the Electric Coffin”: It’s Kim Hunter’s (A Streetcar Named Desire) turn in the guest seat as Cannon tries to find out why his friend, who was following the band, The Electric Coffin, was murdered.
“Dead Pigeon”: Cannon is on the lookout for a crooked lawyer when a cop is found unconscious near a dead man that was killed by his gun.
Disc Four
“A Lonely Place to Die”: Harold Gould (Rhoda) stars as a mobster that Cannon has known for years. When Cannon was a cop, this mobster eluded capture. Now he is being looked at as a suspect in a new murder.
“No Pockets in a Shroud”: Learning about the “Millionaire Hermit” Cannon begins to investigate a missing person’s case involving one of the Hermit’s relatives.
“Stone, Cold Dead”: The last episode in this four disc set concerns a boater that kills a woman in a struggle. When her body is found in the water, a Vietnam vet is blamed for the murder.
Storyline/Plot: 
Replayability:
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Audio/Visual:
The video quality for Cannon has moments of good and moments that truly show the age of this weathered show. The pilot episode offers the worst of all of the transfers. This lone episode features all of the worst parts of this sets transfer issues. There is grain, dirt, noise, and softness all rolled into one episode. Later, once the actual episodes begin these problems become much easier to bear as they do not occur as often. The aspect ratio of 1.33:1 is standard for television. The video looks good for the most part, with exception to the minor problems, the worst being the softness that is included in almost every single episode.
The audio is probably the better of the two specs in this DVD. The audio is delivered in Dolby Digital mono. The pilot has some issues with audio, as it did with video, though these problems are handled quickly in the regular season. The audio ends up being manageable by offering a well balanced sound, especially for a show of this age on DVD.
Visual:
Audio:
Bonus Features:
There is only one bonus feature available on this box set, which is more than I can say for some of the other recent CBS releases. Still, I wouldn’t say that this one feature is that exciting. Each of the eleven main episodes includes the option of a network promo. The promos run for about 30 seconds long. If you do not wish to watch them they are completely optional and the episodes can be played all on their own.
Bonus Features: 
Bottom Line:
If you love entertaining crime dramas with overweight detectives that pull their shows all on their own then you will love Cannon. These twelve episodes offer some good times, plenty of entertainment, and loads of awesome 70s guest stars. Sure, it’s not the best cop drama there ever was, but the original elements make it one of my favorites. If you’re into classic television and don’t remember this one I recommend you rent this. If it was one of your favorite shows, like it was mine back in the day, then I highly recommend you pick this set up.
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Technorati Tags: Movie, DVD Review, Cannon, Frank, Detective, Crime, Classic Television, TV on DVD, William Conrad, CBS, Paramount
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Written by Chuck - Visit Website
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I am a Southerner, proud and true. At 37 years old, I've learned enough of life's lessons to know that nothing is as it seems in the beginning. I live in South Carolina with my dog, Big Blue and my son, Hunter. I enjoy watching NASCAR, writing short stories, riding on my ATV, and a drinking a cold beer with friends in front of the television.
