Cannon (TV Series) Dead Lady's Tears (1973) User Reviews

Who killed the lady? Well, after a while you realize that there are LOTS of possible suspects.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 13 April 2017]

The episode begins with a pretty lady informing her boyfriend that she is moving to New York City to become a model. He is not happy and despite her assurances they can have a long distance relationship, he's angry and sounds very possessive of her. He storms out of the place in a huff...and some creepy guy is outside her window watching this. Soon after this, she is discovered dead and suspicions fall on the boyfriend as, after all, they'd been arguing. I assumed the boyfriend must have had something to do with it, as he seemed very creepy and possessive...but you soon learn MANY men acted crazy around the dead lady, as she apparently enjoyed playing men. So who did kill her and why kill her in the first place?

This is a decent episode and is rather unusual. Not a great one by any stretch but a good one worth seeing.

Like a Film Noir Without Flashbacks

[DrGlitterhouse · 7/10 · 26 September 2013]

Cannon agrees to investigate the murder of a publicist's girlfriend, with whom the publicist had an argument just before she was killed. The client was seen leaving the apartment by the victim's roommate, who had been the publicist's girlfriend before he met the victim, Cannon is cautioned not to expect any special treatment just because he's an ex-cop by the lead homicide detective (played by a pre–Slap Maxwell Dabney Coleman), who apparently thinks he has an open-and-shut case against the publicist, and the trail that Cannon follows consists mainly of men who had been smitten with the victim.

While reasonably well done, "Dead Lady's Tears" plays like a film noir minus the shadows and flashbacks, and I wonder if it was intended as a homage to Betty Grable, who had died a few months earlier. The episode's writer, Steve Fisher, in addition to having written the screenplay for Lady in the Lake, also wrote the novel that served as the basis for the Betty Grable vehicle, I Wake Up Screaming. In 1973, before cable and home video, the similarities between this episode and that film might not have been so obvious as they seem today.

Error on props

[sushicourier · 8/10 · 28 November 2019]

At the beginning when Cannon first goes to the accused apartment complex, he shows his PI's license to the janitor. On it, it lists his eyes as BROWN. William Conrad's eyes are blue.

OUTSTANDING MYSTERY, WITH A NOIR TOUCH...

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 29 September 2022]

No surprise Oscar nominee Steve Fisher wrote this episode, unfortunately, the only one for the series, and its memorable. Steve wrote such film classics as I WAKE UP SCREAMING, LADY IN THE LAKE and DEAD RECKONING for Humphrey Bogart and Lizabeth Scott.

I give this 10 Plus Stars.

More over, this episode marked an early appearance for Amanda McBroom, the actress and song writer who wrote "THE ROSE," a masterpiece recorded by Bette Midler. McBroom was a very good actress in her own right, but music was her destination.

"Dead Lady's Tears" plays like a MANNIX episode, because the dead lady (beautiful Leigh Christian) had too many beaus, which means too many headaches for Frank Cannon. It all centers around McBroom (who plays Valerie), a friend and roomate of the victim, who it turns out, conned all the men in her life. Big Time! The opening scene tells all, and a prelude to a nifty noir mystery.

This episode also has a creepy feel -- perfect for late night viewing. Incidentally, the list of suspects will keep you guessing. That is the absolute best part.

Veteran tv director Virgil Vogel headed this production, fresh from HAWAII FIVE O. Definitely his cup of tea. He began his career with the cult sci fi THE MOLE PEOPLE (1956). Add Charles Haid (in an early role) as a peeping tom? John Considine (as Joe) has a terrific part, also a suspect, but you feel sorry for this guy with a lot of troubles. Not to forget Dabney Coleman as the arrogant cop (Lt. Daggett), who is a work of art. Watch him in action.

Look QUICK for Tina Menard as Mrs. Matteos, the apartment building landlady. She was everywhere in films (since the 1930s), usually playing maids and grandma's. She worked a lot for her old boss Bill Conrad at Warner Brothers/ABC tv and always popped up in the series. Her first film was a Bob Steele western way back in 1931. An amazing Hollywood career and actress.

If Leigh Christian looks familiar, it's because she appeared in at least 100 tv commercials, cop shows and some movies. She later retired to work for her son who owns several hotels.

Later soap opera star Peter White (as Dirk) passed in November 2023 at age 86.

Highly recommended for mystery fans, again thanks to Steve Fisher. SEASON 3 EPISODE 10 remastered CBS color dvd box set. All the dvds are colored blue. A beautiful box set. 2012 release.