This is the kind of Ironside episode that is emblematic of why the series was on the air for so long and maintained good ratings. The plot is interesting, the character actors are strong, and Raymond Burr is excellent. Nobody phones it in in Ironside (except, possibly, David Carradine, but he was just woefully miscast in his Ironside episodes, or maybe he was just too weird an actor). The reason was Burr: By all reports his personality was more similar to his Ironside character than his Perry Mason character: Intelligent, deep knowledge about many things, a bit of a renaissance man, exotic and somewhat mysterious past, could be gruff and curt and demanding, a perfectionist with his acting craft, and intimidating.
Ironside episodes were of a high standard because it was obvious nobody wanted to face the wrath of Burr if they weren't, and this is reflected the the guest actors, but also in the work of the directors and production crew. It's interesting to compare it with Columbo. While Peter Falk was also incredibly demanding, he could also be petulant and dithering and his behavior could result in actually inferior episodes, ironically. While the the 1970's Columbo (let's not even talk about the 1990's Columbo) has a number of episodes that are true classics, there are also a few total disasters.
Another interesting aspect of many Ironside episodes is they do consciously try to reflect and convey the issues of the times, even if only in a small way. In this episode, it's the prevalence of the new Playboy lifestyle and influence on popular culture, and the clash between the influence on that new "morally loose" culture on society. It's portrayed by the discussions between Sandy Baron, who is essentially Hugh Hefner here, and Barry Sullivan, the old guard. Ironside weighs in on the conservative side, making Baron the villain.
What also is effective about Burr is that he doesn't have to dominate the dialogue. In many scenes he lets the villains rant or explain or ramble while he just listens or says nothing. This restraint makes these scenes more powerful.
Thus we get Sandy Baron, a comedian (Jack Klampas in Seinfeld!) have a very effective scene at the end when he is caught and realizes his life is going down the drain.
Sullivan is very good in this, and what an acting career! 1936-1987. Appeared in everything on TV from the 1950's to 1980's, including of course Perry Mason. Also surprisingly good is Melendy Britt as Baron's jilted girlfriend. Like many Ironside actors, she had a long career as a voice actor, including voicing Batgirl in the Batman animated cartoons of the 1970's.
As always with Ironside, enjoy.
Ironside episodes were of a high standard because it was obvious nobody wanted to face the wrath of Burr if they weren't, and this is reflected the the guest actors, but also in the work of the directors and production crew. It's interesting to compare it with Columbo. While Peter Falk was also incredibly demanding, he could also be petulant and dithering and his behavior could result in actually inferior episodes, ironically. While the the 1970's Columbo (let's not even talk about the 1990's Columbo) has a number of episodes that are true classics, there are also a few total disasters.
Another interesting aspect of many Ironside episodes is they do consciously try to reflect and convey the issues of the times, even if only in a small way. In this episode, it's the prevalence of the new Playboy lifestyle and influence on popular culture, and the clash between the influence on that new "morally loose" culture on society. It's portrayed by the discussions between Sandy Baron, who is essentially Hugh Hefner here, and Barry Sullivan, the old guard. Ironside weighs in on the conservative side, making Baron the villain.
What also is effective about Burr is that he doesn't have to dominate the dialogue. In many scenes he lets the villains rant or explain or ramble while he just listens or says nothing. This restraint makes these scenes more powerful.
Thus we get Sandy Baron, a comedian (Jack Klampas in Seinfeld!) have a very effective scene at the end when he is caught and realizes his life is going down the drain.
Sullivan is very good in this, and what an acting career! 1936-1987. Appeared in everything on TV from the 1950's to 1980's, including of course Perry Mason. Also surprisingly good is Melendy Britt as Baron's jilted girlfriend. Like many Ironside actors, she had a long career as a voice actor, including voicing Batgirl in the Batman animated cartoons of the 1970's.
As always with Ironside, enjoy.
