This episode is directed by Ida Lupino, an excellent actress who earned a real name for herself as a director..particular with inexpensive, gritty films and TV shows. It also stars Lee Marvin...one of the better guest villains on the show. It also features Frank DeKova...another excellent villain.
When the show begins, Officer Mike Bannon (Marvin) is being suspended from the police force for, again, using excessive force. Bannon seems irritated that the force just doesn't see it his way and obviously he's learned nothing from this. So what's he going to do on his off time? Strike out at organized crime AND make a fortune. Bannon's plan is to, with his brothers' help, kidnap a mobster, Tony Lomberto (Frank DeKova) and hold him ransom! Now THAT'S creative police work!!! Other than being 100% illegal, the other problem is that Bannon doesn't know that Lomberto has agreed to close up his business and, believe it or not, go straight!
The episode (with a couple exceptions mentioned below) was good and exciting. Of course, any episode with DeKova and Marvin is worth seeing. HOWEVER, this episode features one of the dumbest clichés that you often see in crime shows. After Ness and his men find what they think is drugs, Ness opens the package and tastes it to see! I think even in the 1930s they had ways to test it that were a bit safer than that!! What if the white power had been drain cleaner or rat poison?!?! And, are they saying Ness is a junkie and he really needed a quick fix?! Also, at the end when the hoods attack Bannon and his brothers, why do the brother EACH just stand there and do nothing...as if waiting to be shot?!?! Both are very sloppy. I've got to knock a few points off for these things and think this one earns a lower than usual 6.
When the show begins, Officer Mike Bannon (Marvin) is being suspended from the police force for, again, using excessive force. Bannon seems irritated that the force just doesn't see it his way and obviously he's learned nothing from this. So what's he going to do on his off time? Strike out at organized crime AND make a fortune. Bannon's plan is to, with his brothers' help, kidnap a mobster, Tony Lomberto (Frank DeKova) and hold him ransom! Now THAT'S creative police work!!! Other than being 100% illegal, the other problem is that Bannon doesn't know that Lomberto has agreed to close up his business and, believe it or not, go straight!
The episode (with a couple exceptions mentioned below) was good and exciting. Of course, any episode with DeKova and Marvin is worth seeing. HOWEVER, this episode features one of the dumbest clichés that you often see in crime shows. After Ness and his men find what they think is drugs, Ness opens the package and tastes it to see! I think even in the 1930s they had ways to test it that were a bit safer than that!! What if the white power had been drain cleaner or rat poison?!?! And, are they saying Ness is a junkie and he really needed a quick fix?! Also, at the end when the hoods attack Bannon and his brothers, why do the brother EACH just stand there and do nothing...as if waiting to be shot?!?! Both are very sloppy. I've got to knock a few points off for these things and think this one earns a lower than usual 6.