Cannon (1971) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Overall narrative architecture across all 5 seasons

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Season 1: Foundations of Crime

Cannon establishes his investigative methods through diverse cases ranging from political kidnappings to cult dismantling. The season sets the tone for procedural mystery and personal protection contracts.

Key Events

• Rodeo Robbery Investigation — Cannon is summoned to solve a complex robbery after authorities fail. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Rodeo Grounds
• Bank Manager Mistress Murder — A murder triggers a chain of interconnected crimes. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Bank Office
• Trucking Hijacking Case — Costly loads are stolen while private detectives are murdered. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Highway
• Country Singer Plane Crash — Cannon investigates whether a plane crash was accidental or sabotage. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Airfield
• Gubernatorial Candidate Son Kidnapping — A high-profile kidnapping forces Cannon into political intrigue. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Political Headquarters
• Small Town Thief Harboring — Citizens hide a thief in exchange for a share of profits. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Small Town
• Runaway on the Lam — Cannon tracks a runaway facing multiple legal threats. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Urban Streets

Season 2: Institutional Corruption

The narrative shifts toward systemic corruption, featuring framed officials, evidence tampering, and illegal gambling operations. Client relationships deepen as Cannon navigates bureaucratic obstacles.

Key Events

• Runaway on the Lam — Cannon tracks a runaway facing multiple legal threats. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Urban Streets
• Cop Framed for Murder — A perfect frame job targets an officer, requiring deep investigation. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Police Station
• Disappearing Body Mystery — A witnessed murder leaves no body, complicating the case. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Remote Location
• Heir Returns Home — A newly discovered heir faces harsh financial realities. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Family Estate
• Closed Case Reopened — Reopening a cold case triggers unforeseen consequences. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Archive Room
• Bridegroom Suspected — A father-in-law suspects the bridegroom of foul play. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Wedding Venue
• Weapons Manufacturer Audit — Cannon investigates whether a weapons manufacturer should be judged by its bookkeeper. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Corporate Office

Season 3: Psychological & Legal Thrillers

Cases become more psychologically complex, involving dead man's wills, Vietnam veterans, and compromised judges. The emotional stakes rise as personal histories intersect with current crimes.

Key Events

• Political Refugee Assistance — Cannon helps a supposed political refugee navigate asylum procedures. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Border Crossing
• Injured Policeman Request — A wounded officer asks Cannon to investigate a payroll robbery. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Hospital
• Race Car Driver Vengeance — A bad day at the track leaves a driver seeking revenge. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Race Track
• Vineyard Owner Protection — Cannon secretly protects Mike Tampa after three assassination attempts. Characters: Frank Cannon, Mike Tampa Location: Vineyard
• Prison Doctor Experiment — Cannon investigates experimental pressures on a prison doctor. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Prison Facility
• Ex-Con Blackmail — An ex-con is forced into crime through blackmail. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Island
• Cult Leader Exposure — Cannon dismantles Larry Bolinger's youth cult. Characters: Frank Cannon, Larry Bolinger Location: Quiet Town

Season 4: Vengeance & Family Ties

Themes of revenge, missing persons, and political assassination dominate. Cannon's professional boundaries are tested by personal family searches and military connections.

Key Events

• Military Putsch Prevention — Cannon uncovers a predatory flock planning a military coup. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Military Base
• Textile Arson Investigation — A manufacturer is suspected of arson and murder. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Factory
• Arms Merchant Unmasking — An under-the-counter arms dealer is exposed. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Underground Market
• Prisoner Gang Coercion — A young prisoner is forced to obey a gang boss. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Prison Yard
• Assistant DA Framed — An assistant DA is framed for his wife's murder. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: DA Office
• Draft Dodger Witness — A draft dodger witnesses a murder while fleeing to the Yukon. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Yukon Border
• Undercover Gang Search — Cannon goes undercover to locate a missing man in a gang. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Gang Hideout

Season 5: Corporate Conspiracies & Crossovers

The series culminates in high-stakes corporate investigations and a major crossover with Barnaby Jones. Psychological breakdowns and international threats push the narrative to its climax.

Key Events

• Undercover Gang Search — Cannon goes undercover to locate a missing man in a gang. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Gang Hideout
• Lawyer Threatened — A lady lawyer faces death threats for defending punks. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Law Firm
• Wounded Girl Refusal — A girl wounded in a holdup refuses to identify the crook. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Hospital
• Alien Smuggling Case — Cannon investigates an alien-smuggling operation. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Warehouse
• Doctor Drug Dealing Accusation — A doctor is accused of drug dealing. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Medical Clinic
• Freight Theft & Custody Fight — Freight shipments are stolen by computer while Cannon faces a custody battle. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Logistics Hub
• Missing Farmer Investigation — A farmer goes missing and guards replace the hands. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Farm
• Corpse & Bond Theft — A corpse goes missing along with valuable bonds. Characters: Frank Cannon Location: Morgue
• Corporate Murder Crossover — Cannon and Jones investigate a young woman's death tied to corporate crimes. Characters: Frank Cannon, Barnaby Jones Location: Corporate HQ

Story Breakdown

• Season 1 Arc — Establishes Cannon's investigative baseline through street-level crime and political intrigue.
  • Inciting Robbery — Rodeo heist triggers first major investigation.
  • Cult Dismantling — Larry Bolinger's manipulation exposed.
• Season 2 Arc — Explores institutional corruption and financial coercion.
  • Framed Officials — DA and police lab tech corruption uncovered.
  • Gambling Extortion — Ben Logan's illegal operations targeted.
• Season 3 Arc — Shifts to psychological complexity and legal system manipulation.
  • Dead Man's Will — Posthumous client investigation begins.
  • Judge Coercion — Judicial integrity compromised by mob threats.
• Season 4 Arc — Focuses on personal vengeance, family secrets, and military ties.
  • Adopted Daughter Search — General hires Cannon for family reunion.
  • Missing Industrialist Wife — Corporate interests complicate disappearance case.
• Season 5 Arc — Culminates in corporate conspiracy and cross-series collaboration.
  • Corporate Murder Probe — Joint investigation with Barnaby Jones.
  • Researcher Breakdown — Military scientist's psychological crisis addressed.
• Cross-Season Themes — Recurring motifs that bind the five-season narrative together.
  • Professional Ethics — Cannon consistently navigates moral gray areas.
  • Institutional Failure — Police and legal systems frequently require external intervention.

Key Cast

• William Conrad — Frank Cannon
• Charles Bateman
• Tim O'Connor
• Keith Andes — A. R. Bennings / Kermit Matthews / Len Francisco