Greg Morris Movies

Season five of Mission: Impossible finds only two of the series' original regulars still in the cast: Greg Morris as the IMF team's electronics genius Barney Collier and Peter Lupus as muscle man Willie Armitage. Peter Graves, cast as IMF leader Jim Phelps, had been with the series since season two, when he'd been brought in as a replacement for Steven Hill; and Leonard Nimoy was entering his second -- and as it turned out, his last -- season in the role of magician and master of disguise Paris, a character created to fill the gap left by the defection of former regular Martin Landau. Although the producers had not found a suitable replacement for another ex-regular, Barbara Bain, during season four, they obviously felt they'd solved this problem in the fifth season with the hiring of Lesley Ann Warren as new IMFer Dana Lambert. Like Bain's character Cinnamon Carter, Dana was a bit of a femme fatale, albeit more on the vulnerable side; and also like Cinnamon, Dana could impersonate a wide variety of familiar female "types," from wide-eyed ingenue to worldly courtesan. Alas, despite her talent, beauty and versatility, Warren was unable to supplant Barbara Bain in the hearts and minds of the series' fans, and by the end of season five she too had left the show. Another addition to the cast this season is Sam Elliott as Dr. Doug Lane, who is from time to time brought into the IMF's various counterespionage and infiltration schemes because of his medical knowhow and his understanding of the criminal psyche. Although Dr. Doug Lane was also dropped from the show at season's end, he would make an unexpected return appearance in the sixth-season episode "Encore." Suffering from progressively diminishing ratings since the departure of Martin Landau and Barbara Bain, Mission: Impossible continued to be plagued by viewer drop-off during season six, even though it had moved to a "safe" Saturday evening slot opposite such soft competition as The Andy Williams Show, Let's Make a Deal, and The Newlywed Game. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The IMF heads to London with instructions to identify the head of an espionage ring, a mysterious figure known only as K. To flush out their quarry, the agents enlist the unwitting aid of the beautirful and aristocratic enemy agent Lady Cora Weston (Jane Merrow). Maneuvering Lady Cora into a romantic triangle, Phelps and Paris nearly scuttle the mission when one of the men falls genuinely in love with the woman. The magnificent John Williams also appears as the cuckolded Lord Williams. First seen on February 22, 1970, "Lover's Knot" was written by Laurence Heath. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Luther Adler guest stars as Leo Vorka, an aging European dictator who intends to purge his country of all young artists and intellectuals. The IMF hopes to topple Vorka from power and install his friendlier deputy Bartzin (Ben Astar) in his place. The mission: To drive Vorka insane and convince his deputies that the old man must be deposed immediately. The success of the scheme hinges upon a cleverly arranged series of "ghostly" visions, courtesy of a rigged closed-circuit TV. Antoinette Bower, who'd played the damsel in distress in the second-season Mission: Impossible story "The Slave", is here cast as IMF agent--and erstwhile phantom--Nora Bennett. Originally broadcast on February 8, 1970, "Phantoms" was written by Laurence Heath. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In a replay of the "Rasputin" story, phony mystic Emile Vautrain holds the Grandduchess Theresa of Trent (Nan Martin) in his power. To prevent Vautrain from taking full control of the tiny duchy, the IMF stages a real-life Grand Guignol presentation, complete with a fully functioning electric chair. Conveniently for the purposes of the plot, Vautrain bears an amazing resemblance to IMF agent Paris--as well he should, since both roles are played by Leonard Nimoy (a fact that was withheld from the original TV Guide listings for this episode). First telecast on March 22, 1970, "The Choice" was scripted by Ken Pettus, from a story by Henry Sharp. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Iron Curtain functionary Kozani (Carl Betz, in an offbeat characterization) has captured guerilla leader Constantine (Eric Mason) and sentenced him to death within 24 hours. Within this extremely limited time-frame, the IMF must rescue Constantine and smuggle him back to his followers. The key to the success of this plan is manifested in the title of this Mission: Impossible episode. First seen on March 8, 1970, "The Crane" was written by Ken Pettus. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The title of this Mission:Impossible episode refers to a Gypsy tribe indigenous to the European country ruled by youthful King Victor (Barry Williams). Intent upon seizing the throne, Regent General Aragas (Mark Richman) hatches a scheme to murder the young monarch and to frame Victor's uncle for the crime. To prevent this, the IMF kidnaps Victor and turns the boy over to a pair of gypsies--actually IMF agents Paris and Zorka (Margarita Cordova). Written by Laurence Heath, "Gitano" first aired on February 1, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the three-part Mission: Impossible adventure "The Falcon," Phelps manages to rescue Prince Stephan (Joseph Reale), who has been imprisoned to force a marriage between his fiancee Princess Francesca (Diane Baker) and royal usurper General Sabattini (John Vernon). Meanwhile, the IMF agents keep the rightful heir to the throne, King Nicolai (Noel Harrison), under wraps, while Paris poses as Nicolai in order to throw the King's potential assassins off the track. But will the agents, including the lovely Tracey (Lee Meriwether) be able to rescue themselves before Sabattini wises up? Written by Paul Playdon, Episode Three of "The Falcon" first aired on January 18, 1970, as the final chapter of the series' last multipart story. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

As part of his latest IMF assignment, Paris assumes the idenitity of an influential American industrialist. Unfortunately he his kidnapped and held hostage by a band of Latin-American revolutionaries who are convinced he is the man he pretends to be. The kidnappers demand that three political prisoners be released by their government, or else Paris will be immediately killed. It is up to the IMF to rescue Paris while keeping his true identity a secret. First broadcast on December 19, 1970, "The Hostage" was written by Harold Livingston. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

During the IMF's attempt to rescue black freedom fighter Dr. Frederick Kolda from the sadistic minions of an Apartheid African nation, Barney is wounded and left stranded in the jungle. He takes refuge in the hut of Gabby (Ta-Tanisha), a beautiful deafmute. Falling in love with Barney, Gabby is fiercely determined to protect him from his white pursuers--unaware that she is endangering the IMF's efforts to rescue their fellow agent. Written by Helen Holblock Thompson, "Hunted" was first seen on November 21, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Albert Paulsen guest-stars as Albert Zembra, a terminally ill Syndicate drug dealer. The IMF's mission: to extract details of Zembra's operation from the dying mobster, thereby severely crippling the heroin trade. The strategy: Paris poses as an underworld kingpin who aspires to become Zembra's most trusted friend--and his most likely successor. Seen in the supporting role of Eve is Victoria Vetri, aka Ahna Capri, whom film buffs will remember as the Coven's first victim in Rosemary's Baby. Scripted by David Moessinger from a story by Moessinger and Walter Brough, "Squeeze Play" first aired on December 12, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Captured by brainwashing expert Dr. Paul Tabor (Mark Richman), IMF agent Paris is transformed into a human killing machine. Released from captivity, Paris remembers nothing of his ordeal, and returns to his colleagues--unaware that he has been programmed to assassinate IMF leader Jim Phelps. Jill Haworth costars as Enid, a beautiful double agent with whom Paris falls in love, and who may or may not be willing and able to prevent Jim's death. Scripted by Gene Kearney from a story by Kearney and William Wood, "My Friend, My Enemy?" was first broadcast on October 24, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Assigned to assist in the defection of Anna Kerkoska (Julie Gregg), the daughter of a recently deceased IMF dictator, Phelps becomes aware that both he and Anna have been set up as "dead ducks" by the woman's government. With his usual professional aplomb, Phelps contacts his fellow IMF agents and concocts a sting operation that will hoist the villains on their own petard. But he hadn't counted on falling in love with the beautiful Anna. Written by John D.F. Black, "Decoy" first aired on November 7, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In order to smash an international drug cartel, the IMF must stop the three men involving in an intricate smuggling route. Sal Mineo plays Mel Bracken, the Los Angeles distributor of the illicit drugs; Dana Elcaris seen as C.W. Cameron, the midwestern drug manufacturer; and Robert Alda rounds out the guest-star roster as the cartel's middleman, Maximillian. To break up this triumvirate, the IMF organizes an incredibly complex counter-conspiracy. Written by Jackson Gillis, "Flip Side" was orginally broadcast on September 26, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide