The Purple Gang (1 Dec. 1960)

The Purple Gang, led by Eddie Fletcher, specialize in small-time kidnapping focusing on minor mobster that can fetch them a few thousand dollars in a short period of time. They may have ... See full summary »

Director:

Walter Grauman

Writers:

Eliot Ness (book), Oscar Fraley (book),

Stars:

Robert Stack, Bruce Gordon, Werner Klemperer

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Stack	...	Eliot Ness
Bruce Gordon	...	Frank Nitti
Werner Klemperer	...	Jan Tornek
Ilka Windish	...	Marta Tornek
Steve Cochran	...	Eddie Fletcher
Paul Picerni	...	Agent Lee Hobson
Steven Geray	...	Eric Vajda
Paul Lambert	...	Silkie De Long
Abel Fernandez	...	Agent William Youngfellow
Nicholas Georgiade	...	Agent Enrico Rossi
Steve London	...	Agent Jack Rossman
Rayford Barnes	...	Edward Wiles
James Flavin	...	Rocky Garver
John Zaccaro	...	Andrews
Joe Turkel	...	Loman

Storyline

The Purple Gang, led by Eddie Fletcher, specialize in small-time kidnapping focusing on minor mobster that can fetch them a few thousand dollars in a short period of time. They may have bitten off than they can chew when they grab Jan Tornek. He is ostensibly an antique shop owner in business with his brother-in-law Eric Vajda. In fact, he's a messenger for the Capone mob, regularly collecting shipments of narcotics. Ness had been observing Tornek for some time and when he misses picking up a drug delivery, he's soon on to Mrs. Tornek who has already received the ransom demand. She works with Ness but Fletcher is soon on to them and they nab her brother, Eric Vajda. The case gets complicated when Capone's top enforcer, Frank Nitti, starts to negotiate for Vajda's release.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 1960 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Desilu Productions, Langford Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Nitti Returns

There has NEVER been a better scene on television than the one in this episode where Frank Nitti (Bruce Gordon) and his goons enter a deserted warehouse for a rendezvous with Eddie Fletcher (Steve Cochran) and the Purple Gang. The eeriness and raw power of that scene is stunning. Not to mention the acting of Gordon, Cochran, and Carl Milletaire. Show this scene to any fan of crap shows like "Buffy" and "Angel" and even they will be amazed. Nothing out there on television today can top what was done on The Untouchables nearly 50 years ago. It's a timeless classic that still blows people away and the Purple Gang is one of its best episodes. You want to see a real hero, watch Robert Stack. You want to see real villains, watch Bruce Gordon and Steve Cochran. None of this Buffy and Angel crap.