Wednesday, September 11, 2019

It Takes a Thief "The Thingamabob Heist" #2.4 (1968) (TV)

One of my new favorites, 11 September 2019
The Quick Pitch:  Mundy must locate and steal a new type of fuel before it can be sold to America’s enemies.  The problem is that because the fuel can take any form or shape, Mundy has no idea what it looks like. 
I had an absolute blast watching The Thingamabob Heist.  My enjoyment had almost nothing to do with the plot or the shape-shifting fuel.  Instead, the acting in this episode is about as good as I’ve seen in an episode of It Takes a Thief.  Robert Wagner’s work here with co-star Ricardo Montalban is amazing. The two had some truly incredible on-screen chemistry.  Montalban had a way of delivering the most threatening lines without ever losing that twinkle in his eye. A really professional job.  The rest of the cast is solid. Bill Russell (yes, Boston Celtic Bill Russell) is a lot of fun as Monalban’s enforcer. And Sharon Acker did about as good as any actress I can remember playing the “hottie hiding behind the glasses”.  I suppose I should also credit writer Ronald Kibbee for giving Wagner and Montalban such fun dialogue to throw back and forth. I was literally smiling ear-to-ear. Finally, I’ll mention director Jack Arnold. I was shocked to see his name pop-up in the opening credits.  Some of his 50s sci-fi/horror movies are among my favorites. I’m overjoyed to see he directed seven more episodes of It Takes a Thief. 
As I like to do with every series I watch, when I’m finished, I’ll most likely make a list of favorite episodes.  I’ll be shocked if The Thingamabob Heist isn’t on that list. 

8/10

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