A Question of Answers (14 Sep. 1975)

When local and federal officers want to catch a loan shark, Kojak persuades a boyhood friend to go undercover as part of a deal to dismiss a case pending against him. Pressure mounts as the... See full summary »

Director:

Jerry London

Writers:

Abby Mann (creator), Albert Ruben,

Stars:

Telly Savalas, Dan Frazer, Kevin Dobson

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Telly Savalas	...	Lt. Theo Kojak
Dan Frazer	...	Capt. Frank McNeil
Kevin Dobson	...	Det. Bobby Crocker
George Savalas	...	Det. Stavros
Eli Wallach	...	Lee Curtin
Michael V. Gazzo	...	Joel Adrian
Jennifer Warren	...	P.D. Eloise Geach
Jerry Orbach	...	Brubaker
Allan Rich	...	Solly's Lawyer
F. Murray Abraham	...	Solly Nurse
Charles Kimbrough	...	Rudy
Richard Herd	...	Bob (as Dick Herd)
Arny Freeman	...	Sheldon
Matthew Arkin	...	Tony Curtin
Norman Matlock	...	Parsons

Storyline

When local and federal officers want to catch a loan shark, Kojak persuades a boyhood friend to go undercover as part of a deal to dismiss a case pending against him. Pressure mounts as the Feds renege on providing funds and the loan shark sends muscle. Kojak feels responsible and, when a bombing occurs, sets a trap for the killer.

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Plot Keywords:

police stakeout | loan shark | suicide by jumping

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 September 1975 (USA)

Filming Locations:

8 E 16th St, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

This episode marked the first time George Savalas was identified by his first and last name for his acting credit. Before this he was credited by only his middle name of "Demosthenes" in order to prevent any confusion with his older brother Telly.

User Reviews

Solid Two-Part Opener With Memorable Performnces

Reading a one-sentence description of this episode on the DVD box didn't make it sound too exciting.....but it is. It's a very good season-opener, a two-part story about nailing a brutal loan shark and the people he has in his back pocket.

What's really good about this episode is the film noir feeling of tension and the great guest cast. Michael V. Gazzo is not name a lot of people may know but film buffs know him well as "Frankie Pentangelli." in The Godfather series. He's the main villain and has a distinctive high voice.

Eli Wallach, who has the most interesting role ("Lee Curtin") is fascinating as always, and Murray Abramson, as "Solly," is terrifying as the thug who collects the payments and makes the physical threats.

Also contributing is mustached-Jerry Orbach who went on years later to be a big star in the TV show, "Law and Order." The dread in part one turns out to be real in the second part. There is a good mixture of talk and action in this 100-minute opening episode and it's well worth your time to watch. I've found the Kojak seasons to get better and better as they go on.