Synopsis
Includes:
Mission: Impossible: The Elixir (1968)
Mission: Impossible: The Cardinal (1968)
Mission: Impossible: The Execution (1968)
Mission: Impossible: The Mercenaries (1968)
Mission: Impossible: The Contenders, Part Two (1968)
Mission: Impossible: The Diplomat (1968)
Mission: Impossible: The Bargain (1968)
Mission: Impossible: The Contenders, Part One (1968)
Mission: Impossible: The Heir Apparent (1968)
Mission: Impossible: The Play (1968)
Mission: Impossible: The Freeze (1968)
Mission: Impossible: The Exchange (1969)
Mission: Impossible: The Bunker, Part One (1969)
Mission: Impossible: Live Bait (1969)
Mission: Impossible: Doomsday (1969)
Mission: Impossible: The Glass Cage (1969)
Mission: Impossible: The System (1969)
Mission: Impossible: The Test Case (1969)
Mission: Impossible: The Mind of Stefan Miklos (1969)
Mission: Impossible: The Interrogator (1969)
Mission: Impossible: Illusion (1969)
Mission: Impossible: The Vault (1969)
Mission: Impossible: Nitro (1969)
Mission: Impossible: Nicole (1969)
Mission: Impossible: The Bunker, Part Two (1969)
Mission: Impossible: The System (1988)
Mission: Impossible: The Elixir
Ruth Roman guest-stars as Riva Sentel, the Evita-like widow of a popular Latin American leader. Santel plans to make a television broadcast that will enable her to abolish democracy in her nations and set herself up as dictator. Banking on Sentel's notorious vanity, the IMF hopes to ruin her scheme by means of a "miraculous" eternal-youth formula. Written by Robert E. Thompson, "The Elixir" first aired on November 24, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Cardinal
Borrowing a page from "The Man in the Iron Mask," an impostor poses as Cardinal Soucheck (Paul Stevens), the much-beloved spiritual leader of a Balkan nation, while the real Cardinal languishes in prision. It is all part of a scheme by would-be dictator General Zepke (Theodore Bikel) to gain control of the country and sway the Cardinal's followers to his side. To expedite the Cardinal's rescue and expose Zepke as a fraud, the IMF agents take advantage of a bacterial epidemic. This episode of Mission: Impossible makes extensive use of a special tubular device that had only recently been developed by the US aerospace industry. First broadcast November 17, 1968, "The Cardinal" was written by Robert E. Thompson. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Execution
Racketeer Lewis Parma (Vincent Gardenia) intends to take control of the food distribution industry and pose exorbitant consumer prices. To destroy Parma, the IMF agents must extract information from the gang leader's most trusted lieutenant, a man named Ducho (Luke Askew). The plan hinges upon a terrifyingly realistic gas-chamber execution--with Rollin as the condemned man. Written by William Read Woodfield and Allen Balter, "The Execution" originally aired November 10 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Mercenaries
Mercenary leader Colonel Han Krim (Pernell Roberts) promises to bring freedom to emerging African nations, all the while robbing the economic resources of those nations to fatten his own coffers. In order to discredit Krim and return his ill-gotten gains to their rightful owners, the IMF stages a spectacular gold heist. Only one possible crimp in the plan: There are only five IMF agents, while Krim boasts over three hundred followers. First telcast October 27, 1968, "The Mercenaries" was written by Laurence Heath. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Contenders, Part Two
In the second half of the two-part Mission: Impossible adventure "The Contenders", crooked sports promoter Charles Buckman (Ron Randell) still hopes to gain control of all professional and amateur athletics in the United States. Posing as an aspiring boxer, IMF agent Barney has managed to insuniate himself into Buckman's upper circle, the better to foil the villain's schemes with a "double fix." Former boxing champion Sugar Ray Robinson appears in a surprising characterizations, while Robert Conrad of Wild Wild West fame shows up unbilled. Written by William Read Woodfield and Allan Balter, part two of "The Contenders" was originally telecast on October 13, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Diplomat
Unable to recover valuable documents concerning America's missile system, the IMF must resort to a contingency plan. In order to convince enemy agents that the documents are worthless, Phelps and his cohorts work hand in glove with Susan Buchanan (Lee Grant), the wife of an American diplomat. Mrs. Buchanan's mission: To lure playboy-spy Roger Toland (Fernando Lamas) into a highly compromising situation. Originally broadcast on December 1, 1968, "The Diplomat" was written by Jerry Ludwig. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Bargain
Miami-based gambling kingpin Frank Layton (Warren Stevens) has agreed to finance the return of a deposed Latin American dictator General Neyron (Albert Paulsen). In exchange, Layton will receive all gambling rights in Neyron's home country. The IMF agents hope to derail this bargain, and destroy Layton and Neyron, by preying upon the paranoia of both men. First aired on December 15, 1968, "The Bargain" was written by Robert E. Thompson. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Contenders, Part One
World champion boxer Sugar Ray Robinson makes a guest appearance in the two-part Mission: Impossible episode "The Contenders", which was loosely based on an actual event in Robinson's career. The IMF must prevent Charles Buckman (Ron Randell) from gaining control of all American sports events, and thereby destory Buckman's scheme to enrich himself by fixing athletic events. Crucial to the mission is Barney's impersanationg of a boxing contender and Cinnamon's ability to wrap Buckman around her little finger. Written by William Read Woodfield and Allan Balter, Part One of "The Contender" first aired on October 6, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Heir Apparent
Mission: Impossible launched its third season on September 29 1968 with the episode titled "The Heir Apparent." To save a Balkan monarchy from falling into the hands of Envir Quaisette (Charles Aidman), the IMF concocts a plan built around the legend of Princess Celine, the real heiress to the kingdom, who disappeared as a child and has not been seen for nearly half a century. It is up to Cinnamon to pose as the blind, elderly Celine. But in order to convince her followers that she is the genuine article, Cinnamon must be able to open Celine's puzzle box and reveal its secrets--a task better suited to her IMF colleagues Barney and Willy. "The Heir Apparent" was written by Robert E. Thompson. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Play
Milos Kuro (John Colicos), minister of culture in an Eastern Bloc nation, plans to use an anti-American play to sabotage the peacful negotations between pro-Western premier Leon Vados (Barry Atwater) and the United States. To that end, Kuro, hires a travelling theatrical troupe to do his dirty work. Unfortunately for Kuro, the troupe is comprised entirely of IMF agents (with the exception of Willy, who does not appear in this episode). Written by Lou Shaw, "The Play" was originally telecast on December 8, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Freeze
Having stolen $10 million, Albert Jenkins (Donnelly Rhodes) allows himself to be arrested for another offense under an assumed name, secure in the belief that, by the time his 14-year sentence has been served, the statute of limitations will have expired and he will be able to recover his stolen loot. It is up to the IMF to persuade Jenkins to reveal the whereabouts of the money. This assignment requires a phony medical diagnosis, which will convince Jenkins to allow himself to be cryogenically frozen: The next step is to convince him that he has awakened in the year 1983. Written by Paul Playdon, "The Heir" was originally broadcast on December 22, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Exchange
The focus in this Mission: Impossible episode is on Cinnamon Carter, who has been captured behind the Iron Curtain. Chief interrogator Strom (John Vernon) discovers that Cinnamon suffers from a mortal terror of small, confined spaces, and uses this knowledge as a means of breaking her cover and exposing her fellow IMF agents. To rescue Cinnamon before she can reveal all, the IMF must arrange a prisoner exchange--which cannot take place until they kidnap a prisoner of their own. One of the best of the "character-centered" episodes, "The Exchange" was written by Laurence Heath, and first aired on January 5, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Bunker, Part One
The second multipart adventure of Mission: Impossible's third season, "The Bunker" was written by Paul Playdon. The IMF is assigned to rescue rocket scientist Erich Rojak (Milton Selzer), who is being forced to cooperate with the enemy. Not only must the agents release Rojak from an impenetrable bunker, but they must also free his wife Anna (Lee Meriwether, who is being held hostage in a maximum-security prison. Part One of "The Bunker" originally aired March 2, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: Live Bait
Kellerman (Anthony Zerbe), chief of security in an Iron Curtain country, suspects that defector Orin Selby (John Crawford) is actually a double agent for the Americans. Having captured the only person who knows Selby's true identity, Kellerman holds the man in a booby-trapped cell in a state of perpetual torture. To protect Selby's cover, the IMF must discredit Kellerman and rescue his prisoner. A young A young Martin Sheen appears as Kellerman's nerdish aide Brocke, whose naivete--and affection for a duplicitous young woman named Stephanie (Diana Ewing)--plays right into the IMF's hands. First telecast on February 23, 1969, "Live Bait" was scripted by James D. Buchanan, Ronald Austin and Michael Adams, from a story by Adams. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: Doomsday
European business tycoon Carl Vandaam (Alf Kjellin) hopes to recoup his lost fortune by building a hydrogen bomb and selling it to the highest bidder. The IMF's mission is to stop Vandaam in his tracks, a strategy that requires Rollin to pose as one of the potential buyers. The more dangerous aspect of the mission is to remove the plutonium from the completed bomb without blowing up everyone and everything in sight. "Doomsday" was written by Laurence Heath; the episode made its network broadcast debut on February 16, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Glass Cage
East European resistance leader Anton Reisner (Richard Garland) is being held in a prison cage surrounded by escape-proof glass. The cage can only be opened automatically via a newly created security device. The IMF agents hope to trick Reisner's captor Major Zelinko (Lloyd Bochner) into activating the release mechanism before the prisoner can be broken by torture. Watch for future MASH star Larry Linville as Captain Gulka. Scripted by Paul Playdon from a story by Alf Harris, "The Cage" was first telecast on February 2, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The System
To get the evidence necessary to destroy mob kingpin Constantine Victor (Val Avery), the IMF preys upon Johnny Costa (James Patterson), Victor's most trusted henchmen. Knowing that Costa would never rat out his boss under normal circumstances, the IMF agents stage a complex scam to convince Costa that he is being framed for Victor's own financial double-dipping. Highlighting this episode is the use of a newly developed miniature "Snorkel" TV camera, long before this equipment became commonplace. First seen on January 26, 1969, "The System" was written by Robert Hamner. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Test Case
In order to prevent Dr. Oswald Beck (David Hurst) from inaugurating wholesale bacteriological warfare against the Free World, IMF agent Rollin takes the place of a political prisoner chosen as Beck's guinea pig. To discredit Beck, Phelps and his colleagues are forced to make certain that the experiment is failure. Unfortunately, this assignment may well cost Rollin his life, no matter how it turns out. Written by Laurence Heath, "The Test Case" was originally aired on January 19, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Mind of Stefan Miklos
Steve Ihnat guest-stars as eponymous master spy Stefan Miklos in this psychologically complex Mission: Impossible episode. Discovered to be a double agent, Walter Townsend (Jason Evers) is fed false information by the Americans. In order to throw Miklos off the track, the IMF must convince him that Townsend's information is genuine. Once again, Rollin dons elaborate makeup and a thick accent to pose as the central villain--and once again, Barney and Willy pose as workers from the ubiquitious "Kompani die Gaz." Edward Asner also appears in this episode, as a man named Simpson. First telecast January 12, 1969, "The Mind of Stefan Miklos" was written by Paul Playdon. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Interrogator
Written by Paul Playdon, "The Interrogator" opens as enemy submarines converged off the Atlantic Coast, poised to launch a nuclear attack against the United States. Racing against time, the IMF agents must persuade captured spy Novan Kruger (Henry Silva) to reveal his country's war plans. Utilizing a new and dangerous drug, the agents subject Kruger to a maelstrom of devilishly clever mind tricks to pry loose his secrets. First telecast on April 20, 1969, "The Interrogator" was the last episode of Mission: Impossible's third season, as well as the final joint series appearance of regulars Martin Landau and Barbara Bain. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: Illusion
The IMF's mission is to smash the unholy alliance between East European officials Skarbeck (Fritz Weaver) and Lom (Kevin Hagen) and enable a pro-US candidate to win an important government post. The plan requires Cinammon to pose as a recently deceased cabaret entertainer, with Rollin impersonating her Joel Grey-like partner. The episode's highlights include her impression of Marlene Dietrich, and her rendition of three songs: "Buy My Glass of Wine", "10 Tiny Toes" and "The Lady 'Bove the Bar". The lyrics were written by series producer Bruce Geller, while two of the songs were composed by Mission: Impossible musical director Lalo Shifrin. Scripted by Laurence Heath, "Illusion" first aired on April 13, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Vault
Nehemiah Persoff makes his second Mission: Impossible guest appearance, this time in the role of corrupt Latin American official Phillipe Pereda. Planning to loot his country's treasury of $40,000,000, Pereda intends to pin the blame on the country's honest president, De Varo (Rodolfo Acosta). The IMF is assigned to destroy Pereda by stealing back the money--from a high-tech safe which is controlled by sound waves and requires perfect pitch to open. Originally broadcast April 6 1969, "The Vault" was scripted by Judy Burns from a story by Burns and John Kingsbridge. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: Nitro
General Zek (Titos Vandis) conspires with munitions manufacturer Ismir Najiid (Sandor Szabo) to kill Middle Eastern potentate King Said (Joe E. Tata) with a truckload of nitroglycerin. The conspirators then plan to place the blame for the assassination on a neighboring country, thereby sparking a war that will enable Zek to assume command of both nations. To preserve the balance of power, the IMF must steal the highly volatile nitro, save the King, and discredit Zek. Mark Lenard, best known as Spock's father on Star Trek, makes his second Mission: Impossible appearance as Aristo Skora. Originally telecast on March 23, 1969, "Nitro" was written by Laurence Heath. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: Nicole
Guest star Joan Collins plays the title character in this offbeat Mission: Impossible episode. While on a particularly delicate recovery mission, Phelps is shot, wounded and left for dead. Upon awakening, he finds that he has been nursed back to health by the beautiful Nicole. Despite being trained to trust no one, Phelps begins to fall in love with Nicole--while she pumps him for information on behalf of her boss, enemy intelligence officer Anton Valdas (Logan Ramsey). Written by Stuart Hagmann, "Nicole" first aired on March 30, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The Bunker, Part Two
In the second half of the two-part Mission: Impossible adventure "The Bunker", the IMF team continue their efforts to rescue rocket scientist Erich Rojak (Milton Selzer) and his wife Anna (Lee Meriwether from the Enemy. Complicating matter is the fact that Rojak is being held in bunker some 300 feet beneath the ground, and the presence of Alexander Ventlos (Ray Baxter) a master of disuguise, who is determined to assassinate Rojak. One lengthy sequence finds Cinammon Carter impersonate Anna Rojak--a somewhat ironic plot device, in that actress Barbara Bain (Cinammon) would later be replaced on the series by Lee Meriwether. Written by Paul Playdon, Part Two of "The Bunker" was first broadcast on March 9, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mission: Impossible: The System
The IMF's assignment: To persuade Frank Marley (James Sloyan), the manager of a casino in the Bahamas, to turn against his boss, mob kingpin Connors (Gus Mercurio). The strategy: To convince Marley that he is being framed for a money-skimming racket perpetrated by his employer. Robert Hammer's script for "The System" was first filmed in 1968, as the 68th episode of the original Mission: Impossible series. The "new" version was telecast on October 30, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
