Illusion - Mission: Impossible (1966) Discussion

[–] pacwarbuff 8 years ago

Lom (Kevin Hagen): "Do you intend to instigate a scandal?"

Phelps [in his best German accent]: "I intend to instigate a total mental collapse!"

Got the lines wrong:

Lom: (Kevin Hagen): "Then what you are proposing is that we instigate some scandal."

Phelps: [In his best German accent] "I am proposing we instigate a mental collapse!"

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[–] mariakelly-04164 8 years ago

My favorite part of the episode was when Cinnamon was singing. She reminded me of Marlene Dietrich.

Laugh while you can, Monkey Boy!

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[–] lima-2 8 years ago

I saw it when it was first broadcast in 1969. I was a little puzzled by it, because I wasn't a big film buff... yet 

My parents loved it for just that reason you mentioned, Maria. It reminded them of Marlene Dietrich's cabaret act. It wasn't until I saw the film Cabaret a few years later, with Liza Minnelli, Michael York, and Joel Grey, that the puzzle pieces fell into place for me. It's on my top ten episode list now 

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[–] pacwarbuff 8 years ago

Yes, she's oddly appealing in those scenes, even with her limited singing range (and ability). I also liked Rollin's Joel Grey-in-Cabaret-style performance.

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[–] mariakelly-04164 8 years ago

You're right about Cinnamon's vocal range. However, she was a LOT better than Dana's voice. And Barney had a great, very sexy voice.

Laugh while you can, Monkey Boy!

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[–] lima-2 8 years ago

I understand that it was a stretch for her at the time, but on first viewing I admittedly wasn't focused a lot on her singing.

Much after the fact, once I figured out what was going on, I did enjoy Rollins' prescient Joel-Grey-like performance as well.

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[–] jayhn1111 8 years ago

I am looking forward to seeing that episode again. The only thing I remember about it was how horrible Cinnamon's singing performance was.

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[–] Cinna_Mini_Me 8 years ago

And Fritz Weaver guest-stars! What more could you ask for?!

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[–] jayhn1111 8 years ago

Ahh I forgot about that! Fritz Weaver was great

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[–] Vic_Hitler 8 years ago

Who told Barbara Bain she could sing?

That was gawdawful.
Bain is a terrible, wooden actress, always with the silly "glamorous" routine with those stupid wigs. But this episode took the cake for cornball. Singing and dancing in her underwear with a top hat.

OMG...

Landau and Graves were pretty decent actors - the rest of them sucked.

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[–] rjeisen 8 years ago

Honestly, Barbara told them she could NOT sing -- so she did a great Dietrich impersonation. Personally, I adored "Ten Tiny Toes".

Barbara was superb, with her sex appeal, bitchiness (particularly to Rollin's character!), and her character's ruthless nature.

I loved it and I LOVED this episode.
One of my all time favorites.

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[–] mariakelly-04164 8 years ago

Yes, it was pretty awesome. I loved Ten Little Toes too (did you know that the shows creator Bruce Geller wrote the lyrics?) I'd like to get your opinion on a plot point. I know the mission was to make sure that Martin Brooks character Trosk became Security Chief of his country. But I got the impression that he was shall we say, in cahoots with the IMF. What do you think?

Laugh while you can, Monkey Boy!

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[–] rjeisen 8 years ago

Oh yes, he was definitely in cahoots with the team. Phelps even told him where to be at a certain time (Re: Going back to the car to get his wallet) so the team could do their thing!

Love how Cinnamon delivered the line: "I could care less about your foolish politics!"

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[–] mariakelly-04164 8 years ago

Somehow I'm getting this nutty idea that you didn't like the episode, am I right?

Laugh while you can, Monkey Boy!

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[–] Vic_Hitler 8 years ago

I like the show - always have.

Didn't care for the movies much. I mean, they took a cerebral show about elaborate cons, ruses, and disguises to fool the marks, and turned it into a rootin' tootin' shootin' action-adventure vehicle for Tom Cruise, action-hero.

Better for generation goldfish snorting their Ritalin to stay awake, I guess.

Been re-watching all the old episodes and came across this one...yipes! They did pull a few turkeys out of the hat.

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[–] pacwarbuff 8 years ago

I ranked "Illusion" #7 on my M:I S3 top ten list, but that was back in 2007. Nine years later and I'm not sure the episode would move up or down that list; I think I've been fair to it based on my personal preferences. One of my favorite exchanges of dialogue is the one I quoted in a previous post. My favorite IMF cons involve psychological torture. 

As for those who think less of "Illusion", one might note that the episode was aired second to last that season. Maybe the producers weren't enamored with Barbara Bain's warbling ability. However, any TV episode that boasts Fritz Weaver, Kevin Hagen, and Martin E. brooks among its guest cast has at least something positive going for it.

The appearance of the Paseo Verde set from Mannix is another welcome, if not amusing addition.

Edit: Watching it now. Gotta love how Barbara Bain is wearing matching orange dress, lipstick, and nail polish; today's women could learn a lot from this.

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[–] mariakelly-04164 8 years ago

One of my favorite parts of the Barbara Bain era were her gorgeous clothes. She always looked sleek, elegant and sexy.

Laugh while you can, Monkey Boy!

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