Target: The Corruptors (TV Series) The Middle Man (1962) User Reviews

The Middle Man

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 15 September 2022]

As a kid I was very envious of some of my school mates. They had appeared as an extra in television movie with the one and only David Janssen. It was one of his final productions before his untimely death.

Here Janssen plays Robbie Wilson. Once a devoted union man. Now he plays the middle man. Taking money from developers and delivering a compliant workforce.

He makes sure the union leaders are well remunerated so they accept low pay deals or not go on strike.

Paul Marino is interested in Wilson as he might also be involved in murder.

Jack Flood goes undercover as a developer who is planning to invest in a prime building construction project.

An interesting look at corruption and collusion between employers and union leaders. Sadly American labor unions seem riddled with organised crime groups for some decades.

Gripping storyline, with some superb acting.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 15 May 2023]

Marino does a series on Sweetheart contracts, those where a middle man, a so called labour relations representative negotiates a hugely compliant workforce. Chuck King is killed after attempting to set up a new union at a factory.

'Empty heads on muscular bodies,'

A chilling sentiment indeed, but when there's money to be made, there will always be corruption, what ruthless boss wouldn't want a compliant workforce, but of course there's a cost.

Marino instantly clashes with Robbie Wilson, the middle man in question, who's taken a cut, and delivered the compliant, down beaten work force. This is a very, very good episode, one that gives a real insight into the sign of the times, an era that was hard for people.

In spite of the pretty picture that's painted for him, Marino investigates in his usual dogged fashion. Only this time he's not just investigating crooked business practice, he's also investigating the potential murder of Chuck King. McNally was excellent here.

A killer performance from David Janssen, who played Wilson, it may actually be the standout performance on the show so far.

Excellent, 8/10.

Or the public relation consultant

[searchanddestroy-1 · 6 July 2015]

This time Paul Marino has to investigate against a head executive of a large manufacturing firm who illegally violates employees rights, concerning an union election. And this executive has a henchman called "public relation consultant", a sort of disguised hired killer, played here by the excellent David Janssen. It is not so usual to have him, like here, as an evil, cynical and ruthless character. This story emphasize on social problems those poor employees have day after day, struggling to survive. It's not only a gangland tale. And always, as usual in this TV show, many noir atmosphere sequences. I say it again and again. Watch out for this rare and so underrated series.