85. The Predators

John Parker, Delbert Kleinman et al.: Interstate Transportation of Gambling Devices - Attempted Murder

Original air date: 7 April 1968
This episode was not rerun

Inspector Lewis Erskine holds off at gun point the crew of a cruise ship, which is dealing with an illegal gambling operation.

This episode was a real nail-biter, as he gets out of many difficult situations.

Significantly, this episode was the first one to air after the shooting of Dr. Martin Luther King. In the crime stoppers portion of the show, Efrem Zimbalist would list someone who was wanted by the Bureau. The most famous criminal on the run? James Earl Ray, the convicted killer of Dr. King.

• FBI Carousel Bulletin: Having appeared in the previous (!) episode in his recurring role as Agent Allen Bennett, Lew Brown pulls a fast one and switches to Agent Perry Farrar. This practice also exists on Law & Order .
• The good inspector has a camera disguised as a cigarette lighter to photograph illegal gambling.
• Nico Minardos was, at one time, romantically linked to Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s. She loved the Greek Orthodox services he attended. His ex-wife was (and still is) Tyrone Powers' widow. He really has a major assisting role here. Spoiler: At the end of the episode, he states he needs another line of work. It looks like the Bureau will get another agent, with Messrs. Erskine's and Colby's help!
• Francis X. Slattery was a New York City policeman for 12 years. He, along with Robert McQueeney, was in The Gallant Men (1962-63), which also starred S.A.C. Tom Colby himself, William Reynolds.
• And, Linden Chiles managed to play a character with a real conscience. He is a gubenatorial candidate who made a mistake, but is willing to testify against Costra Nostra.
• Finally, Peter Mark Richman makes another of his many appearances. He seems to be to The FBI what Burgess Meredith (The Penguin) was to Batman : A most frequent visitor, and for good reason. He was good friends with Executive Producer Quinn Martin.

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