It Takes a Thief "A Very Warm Reception" #1.4 (1968)

"Does Madam Rodos allow rock n' roll dance music?", 27 August 2017

Al is tasked with stealing microfilm from an embassy safe. The problem - it's heavily guarded and these guards won't hesitate to shoot at anything that moves. Mundy comes up with a plan that involves a video tape machine, a State reception, and rock music. Can Mundy pull off his daytime robbery?

A Very Warm Reception is another good, but not great episode. Wagner is once again in great form. Here, he gets to play a number of characters in disguise. His laid back style works perfectly. The supporting cast here is strong and includes the incredibly cute Katherine Crawford (who I unfortunately know best from the MST3K episode Riding with Death) and Simon Oakland. As seems to be the case, Gavin MacLeod got on my nerves. The heist itself is enjoyable, but relies a lot on luck. The video tape machine set on playback would become a staple of this kind of show, but I suppose in 1968 it was most likely a rather novel idea. 

Another highlight for me was watching the well-quaffed dignitaries getting down to the rock n' roll dance music at the reception. Good stuff.

7/10