| Mission: Impossible - Season 5
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DVD cover
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| Country
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 USA
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| Channel
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CBS
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| Genre
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Espionage
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| Broadcast
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9/19/70 - 3/17/71
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| No. of Episodes
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23
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| Main Cast
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| Character
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Actor
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The disappointing ratings from Season 4 of Mission: Impossible meant changes had to be made. The most glaring hole in the show in Season 4 was the lack of a female regular in the cast, since Barbara Bain had left so abruptly. While the cast and creator/executive producer Bruce Geller favored promoting frequent Season 4 guest star Lee Meriwether to permanent cast member, Paramount went younger and cast 23-year old Lesley Ann Warren. Geller had nothing against Warren professionally or personally, but thought she was wrong for the part, given her age and her look. (Hair and makeup didn't do her any favors by giving her pigtails in the first episode of Season 5.) But casting a younger actress was part of solving another issue with the show, that it had gotten stale and repetitive. Producers, including Geller, realized that there were only so many schemes the IMF can pull, so they either had to mix it up on the show or find a new audience. The solution was eventually a combination of the two.
Peter Lupus had been making noise about his salary and his role on the show, so Paramount decided to kill two birds with one stone by gradually phasing out the character of Willy Armitage and bringing in another younger actor, 25-year old Sam Elliott, as Doug Robert to replace him. Geller once again opposed the move, believing there wasn't much that could be done to mix up the role of the fifth member of the team and that Lupus brought something unique to the table with his strength and size. The two ended up sharing the screen in only two episodes and splitting the rest of the episodes nearly equally between them. The youth movement was paired with a move in the schedule from Sunday nights at 10:00 to Saturday nights at 7:00, hoping to find a new and younger audience. New writers were also brought in to mix up the plots, with more domestic missions against gangsters and drug dealers rather than Cold War enemies. (The legal and moral ramifications of using the IMF in a law enforcement capacity was lost on a pre-Watergate American audience.) Some episodes also dealt with the personal lives of team members, which had never been touched on in the past, and missions sometimes went awry, requiring improvisation, in sharp contrast to the perfect missions of the past. The producers toyed with the structure of the show, removing the tape scene, apartment scene and dossier scenes in some episodes, and adding in a pre-credits prologue, and actually tweaking the credits itself with remixed theme music.
Some of the change worked, while others didn't. Sam Elliott, while a better actor than Peter Lupus, was wasted in the role of Dr. Doug Robert, since the fifth cast member didn't have much to do no matter who played the role. The show only had four full-time roles, team leader, master-of-disguise/impressionist, token female, and tech guy, with the fifth cast member just filling in wherever needed, thus the numerous times Willy was no more than a driver or just Barney's assistant. Combine this with Peter Lupus' surprisingly large (and vocal) fanbase, and it was decided to keep Willy on and drop Doug. Doug appeared in one Season 6 episode before leaving the show. (Doug is conspicuously missing from the DVD cover, despite appearing in over half of the episodes, see right.)
The season was the last for Leonard Nimoy, who felt out of place as a replacement cast member and was frustrated by the character of Paris, or lack of one, as well the general direction of the show and his own career. Paris, like Rollin Hand before him, wasn't really much of a character, since their entire character was to play other characters. Although one episode explained a bit of his backstory, and another hinted that he still worked as a stage magician (or, given the costume, murdered East End prostitutes) part-time, there wasn't really room for character development the way the show was structured. Nimoy convinced Paramount to let him out of his five year contract, and once the season was over, starred in a few movies and plays, and studied both still photography and directing, two pursuits he found acclaim in.
Like Nimoy, Lesley Ann Warren felt out of place as well and was also frustrated by her character. She was also able to convince Paramount to let her out of her contract, and like Sam Elliott, went on to have a successful career in Hollywood. Like Dan Briggs, Rollin Hand and Cinnamon Carter, neither Paris, Dana Lambert or Doug Robert were ever seen or mentioned on the show again, and no explanation was ever given for their departures.
Season 5 was also the last season for creator/executive producer Bruce Geller, who was barred from the Paramount lot partway through the season. Although he retained his executive producer credit till the end of the show and continued to appear as the hand that lit the match in the opening credits, he no longer had any input in the running of the show. Paramount had enough of clashing with him over the budget, and finally did something about it. Geller produced a few movies and television series after being banished from Paramount, but none were ever as successful as Mission: Impossible or Mannix, the other hit show he created for Desilu/Paramount. He was busy working on more projects for Twentieth Century Fox when he died flying his own plane in 1978, a crash the NTSB later attributed to pilot error. As the creator of the series, however, he still got writing credit for the 1988 revival of the series and the movie adaptations.
The changes worked for the most part, bringing the ratings back up, with the show ending the season ranked 33rd, which was comparable to where the show ended Season 2. Now that Paramount had fulfilled its obligation to CBS and had enough episodes to sell for syndication, many felt that this would be the end of the show. But despite the need to fill to spots in the cast, CBS was happy about the rebound in ratings and renewed the show for a sixth season.
The following weapons were used in Season 5 of the television series Mission: Impossible (1966):
Handguns
Tokarev TT-33
Tokarev TT-33s appear in several episodes throughout the season.
Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Pre-1947 version.
Eddie Lorca's (
Robert Conrad) TT-33 in his suitcase in "The Killer" (S05E01). Note the shoulder holster on the right. Lorca actually wears his TT-33 in that shoulder holster ON THE PLANE. (This was perfectly legal until D.B. Cooper went off and ruined it for everyone.)
Eddie's TT-33 with suppressor attached in "The Killer" (S05E01). When the series was revived in 1988, this episode was remade as the premiere episode with John de Lancie playing the role of the killer.
Eddie's with his TT-33 in "The Killer" (S05E01).
Ernst Bandar (
Bruce Glover) attaches a suppressor in "My Friend, My Enemy" (S05E06).
A closeup of the TT-33 in Paris' hand in "My Friend, My Enemy" (S05E06). Jim Phelps later gets his hands on this pistol.
Smith & Wesson Model 36
The Smith & Wesson Model 36 is a frequent handgun used by IMF agents and gangsters in the series.
Smith and Wesson Model 36 - .38 special - 5 shot. First pattern with flat latch cylinder release.
Alfred E. Chambers (
Byron Morrow) with his S&W 36 in "The Killer" (S05E01).
Truck driver Tomas (uncredited) with his S&W 36 in "Flip Side" (S05E02).
Willy Armitage (
Peter Lupus) with a S&W 36 in "Flip Side" (S05E02).
Paris with Saburi's S&W 36 in "Butterfly" (S05E07).
In what may be the greatest disguise in the history of the show, "Barney" (an uncredited
Dick Dial) is armed with a S&W 36 in "Hunted" (S5E10).
The S&W 36 next to "Barney" in "Hunted" (S5E10).
"Morphine? I can't dispense morphine without a prescription. Do you have a prescription?" "Well... I have this." Paris pulls out his "prescription" in "Hunted" (S5E10).
IMF Agent Jim Phelps (
Peter Graves) opens fire with the S&W Model 36 in "Squeeze Play" (S5E12).
Paris with a S&W 36 in "Squeeze Play" (S05E12).
Colt Detective Special
Colt Detective Specials are seen throughout the season.
Colt Detective Special 1st Gen with Round Butt - .38 Special
Jim Phelps points his DS at Mel Bracken (
Sal Mineo) and C.W. Cameron (
Dana Elcar) in "Flip Side" (S05E02).
Astra 400
The Astra 400 is a frequent handgun used by the IM Force and various characters.
Paris (
Leonard Nimoy) with an Astra 400 in "The Innocent" (S05E03).
Ernst Bandar with an Astra 400 in "My Friend, My Enemy" (S05E06).
Alexi Kerkoska (
Paul Stevens) with an Astra 400 in "Decoy" (S05E08).
IMF Agent Barney Collier (
Greg Morris) opens fire with the Astra 400 in "The Amateur" (S5E09).
IMF Agent Jim Phelps (
Peter Graves) opens fire with the Astra 400 in "The Amateur" (S5E09).
Alex Khora (Bob Purvey) (left) with an Astra 400 in "The Rebel" (S05E11).
Paris holds an Astra 400 to Ramone Fuego in "The Catafalque" (S05E19).
Valenkoff (
Arthur Batanides) holds an Astra 400 on Barney in "The Party" (S05E22).
Smith & Wesson Model 10
Smith & Wesson Model 10s of various barrel lengths were seen throughout the season.
Smith & Wesson Model M&P Revolver with 5" Barrel - .38 Special
Colonel Leo Orlov investigates an alarm while a guard (uncredited) with a S&W 10 in "The Innocent" (S05E03).
Another guard (uncredited) fires his S&W 10 in "The Innocent" (S05E03).
Sheriff Brad Owens (
Joe Maross) with his S&W 10 in "Homecoming" (S05E04) before having it knocked out by Jim. Jim picks it up and hands it back to him.
Barney with a S&W 10 in "Squeeze Play" (S05E12). Somehow, he's able to see with that mask on.
A closeup of Barney's S&W 10 in "Squeeze Play" (S05E12).
Smith & Wesson Model 10 snub nose revolver - .38 Special. Early Model
Robert Siomney (
Lou Antonio) pulls out his S&W 10 in "The Hostage" (S05E13).
A closeup of Siomney's revolver in "The Hostage" (S05E13). The six-shot cylinder is seen here.
Lieutenant Ross (
Todd Martin) with a snubnosed S&W 10 in "Takeover" (S05E14).
IMF Agent Doug Robert (
Sam Elliott) pulls the S&W in "Takeover" (S05E14).
Barney with Pod Hamp's (
Charles Wood) snubnosed S&W 10 in "Cat's Paw" (S05E15). George Corley (
Hari Rhodes) later gets his hands on this weapon.
Jim Phelps puts a snubnosed S&W 10 to Goslin's head in "Cat's Paw" (S05E15).
Doug with his S&W 10 in "The Field" (S05E17).
Detective Lieutenant Rab (
Michael Baseleon) with his S&W 10 in "The Field" (S05E17).
Jim with his snub-nosed S&W 10 in "Blast" (S05E18).
Lee Sheels (
Laurence Haddon) with his snub-nosed S&W 10 in "Blast" (S05E18).
Paris with a snub-nosed S&W 10 in "The Party" (S05E22).
M1911A1
The M1911A1 is another weapon seen in the series.
World War II issued Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP.
Seth Morley (
Frank Webb) with his M1911A1 in "Homecoming" (S05E04). Note the relief cuts near the trigger.
...but notice the flat mainspring.
A closeup of Seth's in "Homecoming" (S05E04). Deputy Karl Burroughs (
Larry Pennell) and Sheriff Owens later get their hands on this weapon.
Barney and Jim with what appear to be M1911s in "The Rebel" (S05E11). Doug appears to be armed with an Astra 400.
An unnamed (and uncredited) rebel pulls an M1911 in "The Hostage" (S05E13).
A closeup of an M1911A1 in the hand of George Corley (
Hari Rhodes) in "Cat's Paw" (S05E15).
Greg Tolan (
Henry Darrow) with an M1911A1 in "The Blast" (S05E18).
Greg Tolan hands his M1911A1 to Dave Klinger (
Kevin Hagen). Note the arched backstrap.
Colt Official Police
Colt Official Police revolvers are seen throughout the season.
Colt Official Police - 4" Barrel - .38 Special
Phelps picks up an Official Police in "Flight" (S05E05).
Paris with an Official Police in "Flight" (S05E05).
Manuel Ferrar (
John Colicos) with an Official Police in "Flight" (S05E05).
Phelps fires a Official Police in "Hunted" (S05E10).
A police officer (
Mark Russell) finds a cache of weapons in Doug's trunk in "Takeover" (S05E14).
A security guard (
Tom McDonough) with a Colt Official Police in "Takeover" (S05E14). This was the third of Tom McDonough's TEN appearances on
Mission: Impossible over a three year span, usually as background characters.
Paris disguised as Steven Tallman (
Lloyd Bochner) with a Colt Official Police in "Takeover" (S05E14).
Chief Danby (
Russell Thorson) with a Colt Official Police in "Takeover" (S05E14).
Barney with a Colt Official Police in "Blast" (S05E18).
Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless
Meerghan (Tony Giorgio) fires a Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless in a flashback in "My Friend, My Enemy" (S05E06).
Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless revolver with Mother of Pearl grips - .32 S&W
A closeup of the Safety Hammerless in Meerghan's hand in "My Friend, My Enemy" (S05E06).
Meerghan fires in "My Friend, My Enemy" (S05E06).
Luger P08
In "The Amateur" (S5E09), Eric Schilling (Anthony Zerbe) is armed with a Luger P08. Vincent Sandler (William Smith) is armed with one in "A Ghost Story" (S05E21).
Schilling pulls out his P08 in "The Amateur" (S05E09).
Schilling with his P08 in "The Amateur" (S05E09).
Colonel Kurt Eckert (
Ron Feinberg) with Schilling's P08 in "The Amateur" (S05E09). He refers to it as "a museum piece."
Sandler with his P08 in "A Ghost Story" (S05E21). This is a continuity error, since he's seen carrying a Walther P38 in an insert shot. (See below)
Walther P38
Walther P38s are seen throughout the season.
Walther P38 WWII dated with black grips - 9x19mm
A state security officer (uncredited) with a P38 in "The Amateur" (S05E09).
African East Victoria officers fire their P38s in "Hunted" (S05E10). "African East Victoria" is a stand-in for what was obviously South Africa.
An IMF operative posing as a guard with his P38 in "The Catafalque" (S05E19).
A disguised Jim Phelps with a P38 in "The Catafalque" (S05E19).
Ramone Fuego (
John Vernon) with a P38 in "The Catafalque" (S05E19).
A Bocaman sergeant (another stand-in for South Africa, the second this season) with a P38 in "Kitara" (S05E20).
Paris with a Captain Maxfield's (
Rex Holman) P38 in his left hand in "Kitara" (S05E20). Colonel Alex Kohler (
Lawrence Dobkin) is seem with the sergeant's P38. (Lawrence Dobkin is not really that dark, see above. The plot of this episode is remarkably similar to the 2005
South Park episode, "Ginger Kids" (S09E11).
An insert shot showing Vincent Sandler (
William Smith) going for his sidearm, which appears to be a P38. He's later seen with a Luger P08, however. (See above)
Beretta M1934
Beretta M1934s are seen throughout the season.
Beretta Model 1934 - .380 ACP
Albert Zembra (
Albert Paulsen) pulls out a Beretta M1934 in "Squeeze Play" (S05E12).
Dana with Ramone Fuego's Beretta M1934 in "The Catafalque" (S05E19).
Fuego's M1934 on a trick box in "The Catafalque" (S05E19). The surface of the box flips, revealing an identical M1934, except loaded with blanks.
Fuego fires the switched M1934 in "The Catafalque" (S05E19). (He seems really uncomfortable firing it.)
Walther PP
Arthur Norris (Denny Miller) uses a suppressed Walther PP in "The Field" (S05E17).
War Time Walther PP - .32 ACP
Arthur Norris (
Denny Miller) with his suppressed Walther PP in "The Field" (S05E17). According to the police, it chambered in "9mm," or .380 ACP.
Doug finds the suppressed Walther PP in "The Field" (S05E17).
Smith & Wesson 1913
Paris draws a Smith & Wesson 1913 in "Kitara" (S05E20).
Smith & Wesson Model 1913 - .35-caliber
Paris, appropriately disguised as an antiques dealer, with a Smith & Wesson 1913 in "Kitara" (S05E20). This is just the latest in a
long line of
exotic or
obscure handguns used on the show.
Walther PPK
Mrs. Foster (Marion Ross) draws a Walther PPK in "A Ghost Story" (S05E21).
Walther PPK - 9mm Kurz aka .380 ACP
Mrs. Foster with her PPK in "A Ghost Story" (S05E21).
Mrs. Foster herds someone away with her PPK in "A Ghost Story" (S05E21).
Rifles
Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I
Guards are armed with Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I in "The Innocent" (S05E03).
Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I - .303 British
Guard with their Enfields in "The Innocent" (S05E03).
Guard fire on the escaping team in "The Innocent" (S05E03).
Sporterized M1903 Springfield
A Sporterized M1903 Springfield is seen on a gun rack in "Homecoming" (S05E04). Willy Armitage uses one in "Squeeze Play" (S5E12).
Sporterized M1903 with Weaver telescope
A sporterized M1903 in "Homecoming" (S05E04).
IMF Agent Willy Armitage (
Peter Lupus) takes aim with the Springfield in "Squeeze Play" (S5E12).
M1 Carbine
The M1 Carbine is another frequently used weapon by foreign guards and soldiers in the series.
Post-war M1 Carbine with 30 round magazine and metal barrel shroud - .30 Carbine
M1 Carbine in Universal folding stock - .30 Carbine
Manuel Ferrar with an M1 Carbine in "Flight" (S05E05).
Border guards fire their carbines in "Decoy" (S05E08). Note the Universal underfolding stock.
Guards are armed with the M1 Carbine in "The Rebel" (S5E11).
Irina (Davana Brown) (right) with an M1 Carbine in "The Rebel" (S05E11). Jim later gets his hands on one as well.
Haratch (Richard Shelfo) chambers a round into his M1 Carbine in "The Rebel" (S05E11).
Beretta BM59
The Beretta BM59 is a frequent weapon seen in the hands of guards and soldiers in the series.
Beretta BM-59 Civilian Model - 7.62x51mm
In "The Amateur" (S5E09), an Eastern European guard is seen armed with what appears to be a
Beretta BM59. The flash hider makes it resemble an M14.
Policemen guard an airport in "The Amateur" (S05E09).
Officers uncover a cache of weapons in Doug's car in "Takeover" (S05E14).
A pile of BM59s in "Takeover" (S05E14).
Bocaman troops surround John Darcy (
Robert DoQui) in "Kitara" (S05E20).
M1 Garand
The M1 Garand is a frequent weapon seen in the hands of guards and soldiers in the series.
M1 Garand semiautomatic Rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06
Klos (
David Roya) with an M1 Garand in "The Rebel" (S05E11).
San Pascal honor guards with their ceremonial M1 Garands in "The Catafalque" (S05E19). Note that the captain of the honor guard is played by then-reigning National League MVP and future Hall-of-Famer Johnny Bench of the Cincinnati Reds.
An honor guardsman with his M1 Garand in "The Catafalque" (S05E19).
Ramone Fuego (
John Vernon) and Paris with M1 Garands in "The Catafalque" (S05E19).
Mauser Karabiner 98k
The Karabiner 98k rifle is seen used by a firing squad in "The Hostage" (S5E13).
Karabiner 98k - German manufacture 1937 date - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Karabiner 98k made in Czechoslovakia (aka Czech Mauser)- 7.92x57mm Mauser
In "The Hostage" (S5E13), the firing squad here are armed with Mauser Kar98k rifles. The rifle closest to the camera is a Czech-made Kar98k rifle (note the winter trigger guard on the rifle, a common feature on WWII and post-war Czech manufactured Kar98k rifles).
The muzzles of the firing squad Mausers in "The Hostage" (S05E13).
The rebels hold the rifles as well in "The Hostage" (S5E13).
Remington Model 700
A Remington Model 700 is seen being handled by IMF Agent Dana Lambert (Lesley Ann Warren) "Takeover" (S5E14).
Remington Model 700 (1970s Production) - .308 Winchester
Dana with the rifle in "Takeover" (S5E14).
Billy Walsh (
Richard Kelton) chambers a round into his Remington 700 in "Takeover" (S05E14).
Billy Walsh sets down his Remington 700 in "Takeover" (S05E14). The shape of the bolt is clearly seen here.
M16/SP1
Dave Klinger (Kevin Hagen) uses an M16/SP1 in "Blast" (S05E18) before Jim Phelps takes it away from him and unloads it. Klinger then tosses the empty rifle to Lee Sheels (Laurence Haddon). Henchmen are armed with M16/SP1s in "The Merchant" (S05E23).
The original M16, the first version, firing in a 20-round magazine, adopted in large numbers by the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. This has the original 3-prong flash hider. It would later be replaced by the upgraded M16A1 - 5.56x45mm
Klinger with a (empty) twenty-round magazine.
The M16/SP1 on a counter. Note the three-pronged flash hider.
Henchmen are armed with M16/SP1s in "The Merchant" (S05E23).
Submachine Guns
Madsen M50
The Madsen M50 is seen in the series often carried by foreign troops.
Paris does a drive-by shooting with an M50 in "The Killer" (S05E01).
Guards are armed with the Madsen M50 in "The Hostage" (S5E13).
Policemen with M50s in "The Field" (S05E17).
A guard drops his M50 in "The Merchant" (S05E23). Since he drops it right on the muzzle, one hopes it's just a replica.
A closeup confirms that these are indeed replicas.
MP40
Enemy agents are armed with MP40s in "Decoy" (S05E08).
MP40 submachine gun - 9x19mm
An enemy agent with an MP40 in "Decoy" (S05E08). This particular MP40 appears to be fitted with a flash-hider.
Machine Guns
Browning M2 Aircraft
The Browning M2 Aircraft is seen mounted on the back of a jeep in "The Hostage" (S05E13). Another one is seen in "The Field" (S05E17).
Browning M2 Aircraft, Flexible - .50 BMG
The Browning M2 Aircraft is seen on the left in "The Hostage" (S05E13).
Barney spies the M2 Aircraft in "The Hostage" (S05E13).
Dana stands in front of the M2 Aircraft in "The Hostage" (S05E13). The bigger .50 caliber rounds can be seen here.
The M2 Aircraft to the right of the spotlight in "The Field" (S05E17).
Shotguns
Remington 870
Police officers are armed with Remington 870s in "Takeover" (S05E14).
Remington 870 Police Magnum Riot Shotgun - 12 Gauge
An officer with his Remington 870 in "Takeover" (S05E14).
Coach Gun
A Coach Gun is used in "Cat's Paw" (S05E15).
Stoeger/IGA Coach imported side by side shotgun - 12 Gauge
Pod Hamp (
Charles Wood) with his coach gun in "Cat's Paw" (S05E15). George Corley and Barney later get their hands on this weapon.
Other
M8 flare pistol
An M8 flare pistol is seen in "Flight" (S05E05).
Manuel Ferrar spies a rusty M8 flare pistol in "Flight" (S05E05).
Palmer Cap-Chur Short Range Projector
A henchman (uncredited) uses a Palmer Cap-Chur Short Range Projector in "My Friend, My Enemy" (S05E06). Willy uses on in "Cat's Paw" (S05E15).
Palmer Cap-Chur Short Range Projector
The henchman loads a dart into the projector in "My Friend, My Enemy" (S05E06).
The henchman takes aim with the projector in "My Friend, My Enemy" (S05E06).
Willy with the tranquilizer gun in "Cat's Paw" (S05E15).
M9 "Bazooka"
A rebel is seen with what appears to be a M9 "Bazooka" in "The Hostage" (S05E13).
A rebel with what appears to be an M9 Bazooka walking across the courtyard in "The Hostage" (S05E13).
Federal Gas Riot Gun
Federal Gas Riot Guns are seen in "Takeover" (S05E14).
Federal L-5 Gas Riot Gun - 37mm
A Federal Gas Riot Gun in Doug's weapons cache in "Takeover" (S05E14).
An officer with a gas gun in "Takeover" (S05E14).
Mk 2 Hand Grenade
A box of Mk 2 Hand Grenades are seen in a weapons cache in "Takeover" (S05E14).
A crate of grenades in Doug's weapons cache in "Takeover" (S05E14).
Webley No. 1 Mark 1 flare gun
The Lieutenant (Erik Holland) uses a Webley No. 1 Mark 1 flare gun to launch a flare in "The Field" (S05E17).
Webley No. 1 Mark 1 Flare Gun - 37mm
The Lieutenant fires the Webley flare gun in "The Field" (S05E17).
A closer shot of the Webley flare gun in "The Field" (S05E17). Note the Lieutenant's finger off the trigger.
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