Barnaby Jones (TV Series) The Deadly Prize (1973) User Reviews

Excellent, Intriguing, good script

[samwa-27311 · 9/10 · 15 August 2018]

I was getting concerned about season 2.

Familiar plots, etc.

But, this was the best from season 2.

The script moves along well. Easy to follow.

A few interesting twists in the plot, and of course, stellar guest stars.

I always like to see Albert Salmi.

"We had a deal...but it did NOT include murder!"

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 7 July 2021]

At the beginning of the episode, a worker is crushed to death when a load is 'accidentally' dropped on him from a crane. Quickly, the killers rush up and retrieve the dead man's thermos....as he apparently was smuggling SOMETHING important inside. What is it? And, is this the last murder or are there several more before the episode concludes? And, how does a dead man who isn't quite dead figure into all this?

This is a very good episode of "Barnaby Jones". The story is interesting, the twists are unexpected and the finale worked well. Well worth your time....and one of the more violent episodes.

BARNABY PLAYS A REAL DEADLY GAME HERE.

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 27 October 2023]

A change of pace episode, taking Barnaby to the shipping docks, which kind of reminded me of a KOJAK episode, though not set in New York City.

It's violent stuff, in fact the beginning has a seaman crushed to death. Not for the squeamish, which was rare for this show.

It's all about a clever smuggling operation, and I agree with the last reviewer as there are actually two big questions. What is being smuggled and WHO is behind this deadly operation? A kewpie doll to anyone who can guess the mastermind...

A terrific cast in play here, many who made freuqent appearances on CANNON. Leading the list in Madlyn Rhue, playing Myra, regarded as one of the most talented actresses on tv at the time. Also Alfred Ryder, playing Lyle. Special guest star is handsome George Maharis, playing Warren and Albert Salmi as Vincent. Salmi was is endless classic tv shows thanks to his wide range of character portrayals. He was a natural.

Well written by BW Sandefur, who also served as co-producer for the series, later working on HAWAII FIVE O. BW wrote a total of 6 episodes for the show, and this is one of the best.

Note the gag scene where Barnaby meets the police dog with the same name??

Recommended for late, late show addicts. SEASON 2 EPISODE 8 remastered CBS dvd box set.

A great mystery, a rather difficult to guess "Who done it"

[FloridaFred · 10/10 · 20 April 2021]

Another "A List" of guest stars, in a story that begins with a carefully orchestrated murder on the docks. There are a number of violent deaths, and the usual attempt on the life of Barnaby Jones.

One humorous note is the drug-sniffing customs dog named "Barnaby". As someone pointed out in the trivia notes on IMDb, this is the only episode where (upon learning the dog's name), Barnaby Jones only introduces himself as "Jones", leaving out his first name.

"The Deadly Prize" contains two mysteries that don't get solved until well into the show. What were the bad guys after, and if all those bad guys get taken out, exactly who is behind it? Watch the show and find out!

By far, the most un-Barnaby-like episode of the series...

[perro315-1 · 1/10 · 27 June 2018]

Wow, was I unprepared for this episode! "The Deadly Prize" is easily the worst entry of the series' first few seasons (although it may be matched in overall horribleness by some episodes in the later "J.R." seasons!) It had good guest actors in George Maharis, Albert Salmi and Madlyn Rhue, yet---bizarrely, some of their roles are quite thanklessly short! The writing for this episode has an extremely artificial noir-type feel to it. In no way is this episode like other "Barnaby" adventures and this difference---rather than being refreshing ---results in a thoroughly maddening waste of time! Normally, I'd be concerned with giving away plot spoilers, but-quite simply-in order to spoil something, you first have to understand it! On the plus side, former Miss America (and 'Barnaby' regular) Lee Meriwether looks unimaginably amazing here---even more so than her usual, run-of-the-mill gorgeousness! "Barnaby" fans, proceed to this episode at your own risk! It is that different...and that bad!