"Crime Story" (1986) TV series 1986-1988

Creators:

Chuck Adamson
Gustave Reininger
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

18 September 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

The saga of a Chicago police detective's efforts to stop a young hood's ruthless rise in the ranks of organized crime.

Plot Keywords:

Organized Crime | Police | Chicago Illinois | Gangster | 1960s

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Dennis Farina	...	Lt. Mike Torello (43 episodes, 1986-1988)
Tony Denison	...	Ray Luca (28 episodes, 1986-1988)
Bill Smitrovich	...	Sgt. Danny Krychek / ... (28 episodes, 1986-1988)
Steve Ryan	...	Det. Nate Grossman (28 episodes, 1986-1988)
Billy Campbell	...	Det. Joey Indelli / ... (28 episodes, 1986-1988)
Paul Butler	...	Det. Walter Clemmons (28 episodes, 1986-1988)
Stephen Lang	...	Atty. David Abrams (26 episodes, 1986-1988)
John Santucci	...	Pauli Taglia (24 episodes, 1986-1988)
Joseph Wiseman	...	Manny Weisbord (18 episodes, 1986-1988)

Series Directed by
Leon Ichaso		(4 episodes, 1986)
Aaron Lipstadt		(3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Colin Bucksey		(3 episodes, 1988)
Francis Delia		(2 episodes, 1986)
Mario DiLeo		(2 episodes, 1986)
Bobby Roth		(2 episodes, 1986)
Eugene Corr		(2 episodes, 1987-1988)
David Soul		(2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Bill Duke		(2 episodes, 1987)
John Nicolella		(2 episodes, 1987)
James Quinn		(2 episodes, 1987)
Gary Sinise		(2 episodes, 1987)
Paul Krasny		(2 episodes, 1988)
Mark Rosner		(2 episodes, 1988)
Jeff Stein		(2 episodes, 1988)

Series Writing credits
Chuck Adamson		(43 episodes, 1986-1988)
Gustave Reininger		(43 episodes, 1986-1988)
Gail Morgan Hickman		(10 episodes, 1987-1988)
David J. Burke		(9 episodes, 1986-1987)
Michael Mann		(8 episodes, 1986-1988)
Tom Towler		(8 episodes, 1987-1988)
Ken Solarz		(6 episodes, 1987-1988)
Peter Lance		(5 episodes, 1987-1988)
Mark Rosner		(5 episodes, 1987-1988)
Robert Eisele		(4 episodes, 1987)
Clifton Campbell		(3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Eric Blakeney		(2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Tony Castro		(2 episodes, 1986)
Carlton Cuse		(2 episodes, 1986)
Richard Christian Danus		(2 episodes, 1986)
Frederick Rappaport		(2 episodes, 1987)

Series Produced by
Michael Mann	....	executive producer (43 episodes, 1986-1988)
Brooke Kennedy	....	associate producer (22 episodes, 1987-1988)
Gusmano Cesaretti	....	associate producer (8 episodes, 1986)
Peter R. McIntosh	....	producer / associate producer (7 episodes, 1986)
Marty Eli Schwartz	....	associate producer / co-producer (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Chuck Adamson	....	coordinating producer (unknown episodes, 1987-1988)
Stuart Cohen	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Gail Morgan Hickman	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Michael Jaffe	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Marvin Kupfer	....	supervising producer (unknown episodes)
Johnny Lattanzio	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)
Mark Rosner	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)
Christine A. Sacani	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Charlie Calello		(5 episodes, 1986)
Al Kooper		(5 episodes, 1986)
Todd Rundgren		(3 episodes, 1986)

Series Cinematography by
Ronald Víctor García		(22 episodes, 1987-1988)
James A. Contner		(8 episodes, 1986)

Series Film Editing by
Barry B. Leirer		(2 episodes, 1986)
Rick Tuber		(2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Terence Anderson		(unknown episodes)
Rose Kuo		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Bonnie Timmermann		(8 episodes, 1986)

Series Production Design by
Stephen Dane		(4 episodes, 1986)
Jeffrey Howard		(2 episodes, 1986)
Hilda Stark		(2 episodes, 1986)

Series Art Direction by
Hilda Stark		(1 episode, 1986)
Cate Bangs		(unknown episodes)

Series Set Decoration by
Linda Lee Sutton		(21 episodes, 1986-1987)

Series Costume Design by
Lynette Bernay		(7 episodes, 1986)
Pat Field		(unknown episodes)
Marilyn Matthews		(unknown episodes)
Debra McGuire		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Kathe Swanson	....	hair stylist (6 episodes, 1986)
Jerry Turnage	....	make-up / makeup artist (6 episodes, 1986)
Howard Barr	....	hair stylist (2 episodes, 1986)
Zoltan Elek	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1986)
Tony DiMaria	....	hair designer: Paul Anka (unknown episodes)
Tena Parker	....	key hair stylist (unknown episodes)
John Rizzo	....	makeup department head (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
J. Paul Huntsman	....	post-production supervisor (8 episodes, 1986)
Henry Bronchtein	....	unit production manager (7 episodes, 1986)
Clayton Townsend	....	production manager (3 episodes, 1987)
Brooke Kennedy	....	unit production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Kevin Barry Howe	....	assistant director (8 episodes, 1986-1987)
Marty Eli Schwartz	....	first assistant director (7 episodes, 1986-1987)
Richard Patrick	....	second second assistant director (7 episodes, 1987)
Michael Waxman	....	second assistant director (5 episodes, 1986)
Don Wilkerson	....	second assistant director / assistant director (3 episodes, 1987-1988)
James Giovannetti Jr.	....	second assistant director (2 episodes, 1986)
Fred Miller	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1986)
John M. Poer	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1987)
Aaron Barsky	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)
Batan Silva	....	assistant director: Mexico (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
William Dambra	....	property master (8 episodes, 1986)
Johnny Lattanzio	....	construction coordinator (unknown episodes)
Paul Stanwyck	....	head painter (unknown episodes)
Timothy W. Tiedje	....	set dresser (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Ed Callahan	....	sound editor (22 episodes, 1987-1988)
Ken Dufva	....	foley artist (21 episodes, 1986-1987)
George H. Anderson	....	supervising sound editor (7 episodes, 1986)
Ray Cymoszinski	....	sound mixer (7 episodes, 1986)
Scott D. Smith	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Ken Speed	....	special effects coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Gregory J. Barnett	....	stunts (5 episodes, 1987-1988)
David John Adamson	....	stunt performer (4 episodes, 1988)
Gary Combs	....	stunt coordinator (3 episodes, 1986)
Andy Gill	....	stunts: car chase (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Mike Moyer	....	gaffer (15 episodes, 1986-1987)
Michael Kohnhorst	....	first assistant camera (14 episodes, 1986-1987)
Michael M. Krevitt	....	key grip (7 episodes, 1986)
Paolo Cascio	....	additional second assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Sean Doyle	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Michael Hofstein	....	director of photography: second unit (unknown episodes)
Randy Jonsson	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Tommy Klines	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Jeff Block	....	casting assistant: New York / casting assistant: new york (7 episodes, 1986)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Marie Boller	....	costume assistant (20 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jane Blank	....	seamstress (14 episodes, 1986-1987)
Kim Myer	....	costumer (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Barry B. Leirer	....	supervising film editor (4 episodes, 1986)
Jack Hofstra	....	supervising film editor (3 episodes, 1986)

Series Music Department
Al Kooper	....	music supervisor (7 episodes, 1986)
Max Crook	....	composer: opening credits music (6 episodes, 1986)
Dan Garde	....	music editor (6 episodes, 1986)
Del Shannon	....	composer: opening credits music / performer: opening credits music (6 episodes, 1986)
Todd Rundgren	....	music performer (3 episodes, 1986)
Bruce Robb	....	music engineer: theme song / music mixer: theme song / ... (unknown episodes)

Series Transportation Department
Roger Wooge	....	driver (42 episodes, 1986-1988)
James Riccio	....	transportation captain (2 episodes, 1986)

Series Other crew
David John Adamson	....	production assistant / key production assistant (38 episodes, 1986-1988)
Cheri Hall	....	assistant accountant (19 episodes, 1986-1988)
Sussy Selbst	....	production coordinator (13 episodes, 1988)
Chuck Adamson	....	executive story editor (7 episodes, 1986-1987)
David J. Burke	....	story editor (7 episodes, 1986)
Lynn Goldman	....	production office coordinator (7 episodes, 1986)
Harriet Kehl	....	script supervisor (7 episodes, 1986)
Peter Lance	....	story editor (unknown episodes, 1987-1988)
Alan Greedy	....	script supervisor (unknown episodes)
Gail Morgan Hickman	....	executive story consultant (unknown episodes)
John Santucci	....	technical advisor (unknown episodes)
Ken Solarz	....	story editor (unknown episodes)
Tom Towler	....	story editor (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Michael Mann Productions
• New World Television

Distributors

• Anchor Bay Entertainment (USA) (DVD)
• Astro Distribution (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• Image Entertainment (2011) (USA) (DVD) (complete series)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1986-1988) (USA) (TV)

Other Companies

• Cherokee Studios  music recorded and mixed at

Also Known As:

Runtime:

60 min (42 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 (some episodes) | Iceland:16 (some episodes) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (DVD rating) | Canada:14A (Manitoba) (DVD rating) | Canada:G (Quebec) (DVD rating) | Singapore:PG | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico

Company:

Michael Mann Productions

Trivia:

During the first season, it is established that Lt. Michael Torrello served in the Army during the Korean War. In the first season episode "Crime Story: Torello on Trial (#1.15)" (1987), we learn that he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The Plaza Hotel wasn't constructed until 1971, but appears repeatedly in Vegas-based episodes.

Quotes:

Lt. Mike Torello:Hey you. You hurt anybody else, when this is over, I'm gonna find what you love the most and I'm gonna kill it. Your mother, your father, your dog... don't matter what it is, it's dead.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Heat (1995)

Soundtrack:

Runaway

Michael Mann's 50s cop series from the eighties

Crime Story was a strange, hard and often inspired tv series from the mid-eighties. It was made by the producer of Miami Vice, Michael Mann, and the cast is stocked with Michael Mann regulars - Stephen Lang, Bill Smitrovitch, Ted Levine and Dennis Farina (all except Ted Levine are in Manhunter).

Although Farina and his crew throughout the series chase after their arch nemesis, Ray Luca and his gang (Pauli Taglia, Frank Holman), the story comes in two parts. The first part, allegedly set in Chicago, the second set in Las Vegas.

Throughout the series, the director tries for a fifties, early sixties feel, even though that's tough to maintain. Great music, every episode is introduced by Del Shannon's "Runaway".

However, very often the focus is the psychological dynamic between Mike Torello (real-life Chicago cop Farina) and Ray Luca (played with a psychopathic coldness by Anthony John Denison). Torello may be on the right side of the law, but there is an equally uneasy quality about the doggedness with which he keeps going after Luca. What would his life be without him? Torello is also frequently tempted to cross the line and behave in a more effective, but illegal way himself.

If you haven't seen it, and you like Wise Guy, or the feel and look Michael Mann gives to his productions, don't miss this series. As this is a classic 80s series, there are also lots of cameos from familiar actors and actresses.