Adam-12 (TV Series) Log 95: Purse Snatcher (1970) User Reviews

An Episode That Makes Full Impact On The Viewer

[chashans · 10/10 · 30 March 2023]

A very powerful episode. The sort that would most definitely make an impression on a 6 year old viewer. And continue to do so on that same kid all grown up, some 52 years later. I never have snatched any purses.

Actors Martin Milner and Kent McCord go into Totally Serious Mode for this episode. Women are getting attacked in broad daylight, targeted for anything of value in their purse. Witnesses can only identify a small group of young, teenage boys. With the aid of a third officer, the partners think they know who it is that's heading up this gang of thieves.

There is a moment of levity back at the Station House. That third Officer has a plan to capture the culprits. He shows up in Sergeant MacDonald's office in full old-lady drag. The idea works. However, the troubled young thief is back on the street in no time thanks to a powerful Father and a weak Youth Officer.

This is a tight, heavy on the drama episode which highlights the acting abilities of a young Gary Morgan. His teenage mini-gang leader is both major trouble and majorly troubled. Morgan is fantastic in the part, perfectly nailing his characters anger, snottiness and pain. The kid has no present Mother and the Father is the sort who will get the kid out of trouble for the sake of not having to be bothered with him. Gary Morgan would continue to act for several years after this episode aired before turning to mostly stunt work on well known films and TV shows.

Martin Milner is terrific as a thoroughly disgusted Pete Malloy. He can't hide his disdain for the couldn't-care-less Father, nor his angry worry toward the wayward youth.

The actor playing the Father hits all the marks as well. Going from "kids will be kids" to "get off my back" to "what just happened???" characterizations in a relatively short time on screen.

This is one of the "Adam-12" all-time best episodes.

Shattering Beyond Shattering

[overdrive1975 · 10/10 · 11 March 2020]

There's trouble in Los Angeles. Three teenage boys are suspected of snatching purses. The cops find them in an alley and start talking to the leader. One of the followers praises the leader.

"Shut up," Benjie says. "I'll do the talking here."

Benjie's the leader. Officer Malloy talks to the boys, and he tries to steer Benjie in the right direction. Having no proof the boys did anything, Malloy lets them go.

"And think about what I told you," Malloy says.

"Yeah, sure," Benjie says. "I'll probably toss and turn all night thinking about it."

Sometimes there's a story you don't forget. It might take the form of a book, or it might take the form of a film. Sometimes it takes the form of a TV episode. I don't normally get excited about "Adam-12" (1968-'75), but "Purse Snatcher" (1970) is one of the appalling episodes of television history.

16-year-old Benjie Tremain snatches purses--and he's injured at least one elderly woman in the process. He's as rude as he can be. He's easy to hate.

Officer Malloy confronts Benjie's father, a successful business man, about what his son is doing.

"Oh, come on!" Mr. Tremain says. "This is just kid's stuff."

Martin Milner and Kent McCord play their roles recurring roles well as Officer Malloy and Officer Reed, respectively. Myron Healey does a good job as Mr. Tremain. However, the story belongs to Gary Morgan as Benjie. Morgan gives a performance to be remembered--and in doing so, he creates one of the most tragic characters I've ever seen.

"Purse Snatcher," written by Michael Donovan and directed by James Neilson, is shocking on the level of a classic episode of "The Six Million Dollar Man," "Burning Bright" (1974), where William Shatner guest-stars as the brilliant but disturbed astronaut, Josh Lang.

I think of Sidney Poitier playing Mr. Thackeray, the teacher in one of my all-time favorite movies, "To Sir, With Love" (1967). Mr. Thackeray could have reached Benjie.

"Purse Snatcher" (1970) is a 30 minute TV episode, but it has something in common with a three-and-a-half hour epic: the Martin Scorsese masterpiece, "The Irishman" (2019), which I consider the best gangster movie ever made. "Purse Snatcher" and "The Irishman" are both stories that address the question of how we spend our lives.

The main character of "The Irishman" is mob man Frank Sheeran, played by Robert De Niro. Frank's life of crime has ended. Benjie's life of crime has only begun. "The Irishman" is narrated by the elderly Frank, who tells his life story.

What about Benjie? Will he even get a chance to tell his story?

Purse Snatching Is Not Kids Stuff

[StrictlyConfidential · 5/10 · 5 December 2020]

(*Officer Malloy to Bengie Tremain quote*) - Yeah. You're a smooth operator alright."

In the last few weeks there's been a rash of purse snatchings going on in Adam 12's territory and a trio of teen boys are the prime suspects in these crimes.

Violence usually takes place during these daylight thefts.

Officers Reed and Malloy patrol the area and question possible suspects.