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Here are few interesting bits of trivia and fun factoids about the show -
if you have anything to add, pass it along!


The writer BLAKE RITCHIE is actually Ben Roberts' and Ivan Goff's collaborative alias used on many shows. 'Blake' is the name of one of Roberts' sons and 'Ritchie' was a Goff family member.

Joe's address, "17 Paseo Verde," was based on the El Paseo building, in Santa Barbara on State Street, owned by Roberts' family.  The indoor office set was located on Stage 17 at Paramount!

Mannix ranks 46th among longest-running shows with 194 hours. Some of the more notable competition it beat out -- Seinfeld, I Love Lucy, Newhart, Mission Impossible, and Mary Tyler Moore.

Mannix writer John Meredyth Lucas is the son of writer Bess Meredyth and actor Wilfred Lucas.

Mannix writer Karl Tunberg was the primary author of the 1959 film version of BEN HUR.

The title for THE GIRL IN THE POLKA DOT DRESS was taken from newspaper headlines regarding a mystery woman present at the assassination of Robert Kennedy.

THANKS FOR THE MAMMARIES...

We think the folks filming MANNIX were having a bit of fun with us--and the network censors--by positioning paintings of female nudes so they were highly visible on-camera. Most of these paintings are tastefully done, but some are rather graphic for television in that era. Often great pains are taken getting the nude in the frame. Check out a few of the episodes below and see what you think!

  • MERRY-GO-ROUND FOR MURDER--In the suite of the mobster (Warren Stevens) at least two nude paintings can be seen on the walls.
  • FIGURES IN A LANDSCAPE--In Loretta Swit's character's apartment, near the window, is a contemporary nude (lavishly-endowed!) female torso.
  • WITH INTENT TO KILL--In one girl's apartment this same painting is seen just above her head.
  • THE GLASS TRAP--On the wall of the jazz club is a contemporary painting of a woman wearing nothing but a Mexican-style hat.
  • DARK SO EARLY, DARK SO LONG--Three different classic nude paintings adorn the walls of the mansion in this.
  • LOST SUNDAY--A different mansion, more nudes on the wall.
  • DAYS BEYOND RECALL--On the wall of the the dive called THE BLUE MIRROR
  • LITTLE GIRL LOST--At least one of the nude paintings in Beverly Garland's character's apartment makes it into the '90s in DIAGNOSIS:MURDER
  • THE GANG'S ALL HERE--In the Five Aces bar a classic-style nude lounges on the wall behind Art as he questions the bartender.
  • HARDBALL--A large, primitive charcoal-type sketch of a large, primitive woman decorates the wall of a mobster's house.

And if you really want to see landmark nudity, check out the hills in the foreground of the beach scene in SOUND OF DARKNESS!


The BOND Connection

There were noticeable overtones of James Bond in the original concept.  Fortunately, the character was quickly established as his own man!  The writers were not above a few gags, however.  In the pilot episode, "The Name Is Mannix," Joe strolls past the BOND Rental Car Agency in the Palm Springs Airport.  

And in "Harvest Of Death" his Private Investigator's License number is revealed to be #13007!

         
THE BRIDGE

We are often asked about the drawbridge Mannix is seen running across in all opening credits.  Mike Connors himself solved that mystery, posed to him by Mary Dee and Laura Strom at the Hollywood Collectors' Show October 2001.  This is the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Draw Bridge at Long Beach/Terminal Island on Highway 47.  Next to it is a more modern vertical lift railroad bridge than the (Badger Avenue)one seen in the show.
For more information, visit the CALIFORNIA HIGHWAYS site.

(Thanks to Laura Strom for photos!)

Now...can someone tell us what SKY RANCH was?