Original subtitles

Well, don't you see how easy it is?

You're my cousin, Ames.

You're coming down here to work for me.

Ain't nobody gonna guess.

You stay with me... for the rest of your life.

You've got everything figured out, haven't you?

Me... or the police.

Take your pick.

Tonight's episode...

Starring Robert Stack as Eliot Ness.

Costarring Albert Salmi, Mary Fickett,

and Carroll O'Connor.

With special guest star Wendell Corey.

And narrated by Walter Winchell.

Toward the end of 1932,

the power of Chicago's underworld seemed to be waning,

but by summer of the following year,

a new wave of crime had engulfed the city.

Frightened and angry, civic groups demanded action.

The appointment of Willard Thornton followed.

Willard Thornton, age 48, Chicago society,

Eastern College, recently retired

from a distinguished career at the bar.

His immaculate reputation

and his impressive record of public service had made him

an almost unanimous choice for the newly created post.

I won't bore you with a speech.

There's too much to be done.

But I do want to emphasize

that my office does not constitute a criticism

of any presently established law enforcement agency...

City, state, or federal.

You may be confident that we will work hand in hand

to root out this elusive enemy

and hit him soon and hit him hard.

Mr. Thornton,

are you promising us some early arrests?

Well, let us say that, uh, we're all promising.

Captain Johnson, Major Kern,

and Mr. Ness, of course.

He's in here somewhere.

Heroin?

Yeah, for the trade.

Hold it!

Okay, once more.

We know you're pushing dope.

You made two drops tonight.

We know because we knocked them both over.

Just tell us who's running the operation.

You're on the stuff yourself.

Suppose we hold you.

Did you ever try to quit cold turkey?

Honest, I don't know nothing.

I get my orders on the phone.

I don't even know who he is.

You knew where to go tonight.

That's where I make my pickup.

I never see nobody.

Just don't cut me off cold.

I tried it once; I couldn't take it again.

Honest, if there was something I knew...

Get out.

You saying...?

I said get out.

Oh, yes, sir.

Thank you, I'm much obliged.

Thanks a lot.

I know he's a small fish,

but you're just going to throw him back?

How else can the big fish find him?

The arrest of Joey Loomis did not go unnoticed.

The next day five men met secretly in a compartment

on the Chicago-St. Louis Express.

Barney Lubin,

czar of the enormous Chicago bail bond racket

and front man for the newly established crime cartel.

Felix Borcek, representing the Capone mob.

Wally Jater, former lieutenant of Bugs Moran.

Steve Parrish, the enforcer.

They called him Country Boy... Country for short.

And one more, known only to the four in this room...

The man who had organized this merger in crime,

its brain and its heart... Mr. Willard Thornton.

So why does Ness let him go?

Because Joey can't tell him nothing,

because he don't know nothing.

He's stupid.

He let himself be trailed to the warehouse.

He cost us $80,000.

He's stupid.

We've no room for stupidity.

You agree?

Take care of it, Country.

Me?!

You know I'm pulling out.

One more job.

Well, I don't know.

I bought the farm.

My train leaves first thing in the morning.

Then do it tonight.

One last service, a... a gesture.

Besides, you owe it to us.

This once.

Okay?

You can get off at Kankakee.

That'll get you back in plenty of time.

The rest of you get off at different stops.

So, uh, when are you coming back?

Oh, about 11:00.

I'm gonna take a plane.

You have to go clear through to Springfield?

I'm afraid so.

I'm having dinner with the governor.

Know him?

It's too dark, hard to say.

It's a big building; 36 people live there.

It could be anybody.

Hold on a minute.

♪ ♪

Open up.

It's from the boss.

Am I glad to see you.

You got something for me?

He must have known I'd need a fix.

I've been... all day I've been sitting around here waiting.

All day I've been telling myself you'd come here...

Why...

No, it wasn't my fault.

How should I know they were tailing me?

A visitor in room 32.

Bill, check the back.

Lee, the roof.

The roof door is locked.

He's still in the building.

Government agents.

Open up.

Did you see a man and hear a noise?

Federal officers.

Open up.

Anyone come in in the last few minutes?

A man was murdered next door.

What's the matter? Can't you talk?

Hey!

Well... Country Boy Parrish.

You got a nerve busting in here.

Can't a man read his paper?

If that's all he's doing.

Well, drop in again.

I'll make you some coffee.

Here, you'd better search this, too.

We're officers.

You all right?

Him, it was him.

He'd done it.

Let's go downtown.

All right, okay, I-I'll come along for the ride,

but don't get any big ideas.

I'll be out on bail before your booking slip is dry.

Now move.

Yes?

Hello, this is Barney.

I just got word from downtown.

Ness again.

He's got the Country Boy.

Suspecting that the arrest of Country Parrish

might be the first real break

in their war against the new crime cartel,

Ness and Captain Johnson put him through a hard grilling

without visible effect.

You'd better get yourself a glass of water, Mr. Ness.

It sounds like you're losing your voice.

Don't make book on it.

All right, it's your throat.

It's your neck.

I'm going to put a rope around it.

So what else is new?

You can make it easier for yourself.

Just answer some questions.

Is that all?

You know, Joey was killed because he made a mistake.

Because he let us tail him.

Only the Organization could have wanted him dead,

which means you're working for them, too.

And you think I killed him, huh?

You got any witnesses?

Oh, did you see me in the room?

Were my prints in the room?

Was I carrying a gun?

Or a shiv or anything?

I mean, how could I kill him?

I was too busy assault and batterying.

Have you got anything else to say, Ness?

Say it fast, 'cause I'm not gonna be here long, all right?

Ness, I got a lot of friends.

They'd better be good friends.

Real good. $100,000 good.

$100,000?

That's the bail Judge Toland's setting.

You got friends, you want to call them?

What for?

Hey, Barney!

You can't say I don't give service, huh?

I'll have you out in two shakes.

The bail's $100,000, Barney.

Well, that's very steep.

Imagine if he's really important, huh?

What do you think, he's important?

Yeah, well, I wouldn't argue.

Here's the collateral... Property over on Erie Street.

You must think he's important, too.

That's a big bond.

Well, that happens to be my business.

The bigger the bond, the bigger my take.

So what do you say, Captain?

You want to get the papers ready?

Wait a minute.

You say this property is worth $100,000.

Must be pretty nice.

It's very nice. Take my word.

I wish I could.

I'm going to check this property myself.

Hold him. I'll call you in the morning.

Better sleep with a couple of blankets.

Those cells get drafty.

Stupid.

It was incredibly stupid to offer that property on a bond.

What? I use it all the time.

You don't have to contend with Ness all the time.

He has it all figured out about Joey.

Yeah, who told you?

He did.

He called me.

He's hoping to make Country Boy talk.

That's why he wants to hold him.

That's why he's checking that property.

What happens when he finds out?

Use that.

$100,000.

Do you mean it?

If it's worth it to Ness, it's worth it to me.

Country may talk if they sweat him.

We can't give Ness that chance.

So, we spring him. So what?

Ness won't quit. You'll see.

He'll stay on Country's back.

Some way he'll make him sing.

He won't.

Dead birds don't sing.

There's got to be something.

We know Country killed him.

Did you check the alley?

Three of us. Every inch.

No knife? No knife.

Well, that's too much to hope for, I guess.

That part of town, if somebody finds a knife, a kid, anybody...

Well, you had a pretty good hunch, Eliot.

We checked the tax records.

That property is worth about $38,000.

$38,000?

Minus $31,000 for encumbrances, liens and judgments.

That makes it worth about $7,000 net.

I wouldn't call that much security

on a $100,000 bond.

Johnson.

Eliot Ness.

On that bail for Parrish, the bond's no good.

Not worth a dime.

I'm coming down, Captain,

and we'll have a nice, long talk with Parrish.

Sorry, Eliot.

He's gone.

Released on bail.

You said you'd hold him till after I called.

You knew I was out checking the collateral.

Do you have to check cash?

Cash?

$100,000 cash.

He just walked out with Barney Lubin.

He's getting too lousy big for his britches.

Why do I have to get out of town?

I told you, didn't I?

Thornton says you're too hot.

What's the matter? You don't like the country?

If I want the country, I got my own place.

Nice dinner, huh?

Yeah, it was all right.

About a quarter mile up the road,

you take a right turn.

Right?

Camp of Thornton's is up by Lovington.

Yeah, I know. Turn right.

That isn't the way to... I said right.

And I'll tell you when to stop.

That's Thornton.

He's always figuring everything out.

He's got a lot to lose if Ness opens you up.

There's only one way to make sure he don't.

He's just like the law.

He gives you some food, and he knocks you off.

That dirty...

And now back to The Untouchables.

City and federal authorities quickly discovered

that Country Parrish had fled Chicago.

Probing to find out why,

Eliot Ness moved to check the bondsman.

He found Barney's office locked and dark.

Early the following morning, he made another call.

Good morning.

Sorry to get you up.

It's important.

Have you found Parrish?

Afraid not.

Oh.

You let him get away, huh?

I wouldn't say we let him.

Mr. Ness,

I find it difficult to understand.

In all my years of practicing law,

I've never known anything like this to happen.

For a man to jump bail of such a large amount.

And the bondsman not to be yelling about him.

Have you talked to him?

Barney? He's not around.

His place is locked up tight.

We've talked to lots of others, though.

My men were digging most of the night.

And?

Normally, if a man jumps a bail as big as that,

the word gets around pretty fast.

And it hasn't?

Not even a whisper.

Precisely, what are you suggesting, Mr. Ness?

I can't say precisely.

I'm not sure.

But I know this much.

If I were Barney Lubin, I'd be yelling my head off.

Hello.

No, I was up.

It's quite all right.

When?

Yes.

At my office. Give me an hour.

Thank you.

I... I appreciate it very much.

It's a very good reason Lubin isn't yelling.

He's dead.

The police down state just called Captain Johnson.

They found Lubin off the road in his car.

An accident?

He had two bullets in him.

If you'll excuse me, I have to meet Captain Johnson.

Go ahead. I'll wait for you.

I don't want to hold you up.

You're very busy.

I can follow through with Captain Johnson.

I'm sure there's no federal jurisdiction involved here.

It's right on my way. I'll drive you over.

I thought you were trying to find Parrish.

I am.

Morning, Pete.

Just getting ready to start the waffle batter.

You're a little early, ain't you?

Captain's spitting fire this morning.

Found a fella dead up north of here.

Where?

Eight, nine miles, up on the Elston Fork.

Laying out in his car with two bullets in him.

Murdered?

Nah. He done it to himself.

He couldn't face eating breakfast here.

Ha, ha, ha!

The captain figures whoever done it...

He might be headed down this way through Five Points.

Five roads leading out of here, he'd be mighty hard to follow.

You see anybody?

No, not me.

And if she ain't seen him, he ain't even in the county.

County? He ain't even in the state.

Tongues going like a goose's clatter bone.

Now what's the matter with you?

There's a man laying dead.

We was just joking, Emmy.

Waffles wouldn't take too long.

Not today, Emmy. I got to keep moving.

You see somebody, call the office, huh?

Sure thing.

So long, Pete.

Well, now, that'll be four bits for breakfast

and two dollars for gas.

You ain't gonna be mad, Emmy.

We were only joking.

Aw, forget it.

How could I get mad?

You're my bread and butter.

Didn't I tell you?

She's one of the boys.

Oh. See you Friday on the way down.

Yeah, I can't hardly wait.

So long.

Kind of jumpy, aren't you?

I found you stretched out when I come in this morning.

You must have been real tuckered out.

I couldn't have woke you with a Fourth of July cannon.

You still ain't woke up.

What you need is a cup of joe.

I'm sorry I'm late.

Oh. Would you like some coffee, Captain?

Thanks. I grabbed some while we were checking the files.

They took some prints from Barney's car,

the steering wheel.

State trooper brought them up.

Did you get a make?

The Country Boy, Steve Parrish.

We let him out of town. That was a mistake.

If you'll forgive me, Mr. Ness,

that was not the only one.

In my opinion, we've been grossly inept and stupid.

Parrish should have been held without bail.

You're entitled to your opinion, sir.

It is an opinion, I suggest,

that is not entirely casual.

I might remind you

I've had considerable experience with law.

On the other side, of course,

but when you get into enforcement,

you learn to be practical.

Any shyster could have demanded bail.

We thought if we set it high enough,

we might force the Organization's hand.

Somebody was pretty hot

to get Country Parrish out of that cell.

Why?

Maybe so he couldn't answer questions.

Maybe to get rid of him.

Maybe Lubin was taking him out of town.

And throwing away a hundred-thousand-dollar bond?

You're forgetting

your considerable experience with the law, Commissioner.

A bondsman just has to deliver the body.

The law doesn't specify alive.

Yes, of course.

But Country can't have gotten too far.

We'll pick him up.

Oh, Mr. Ness.

Even as an amateur,

I couldn't wait forever for the authorities to act.

When I went upstairs,

at my home address, I called the press.

I'm offering a personal reward.

$5,000 for the apprehension of Parrish.

No objections, I trust?

No objections.

Brung you some hot coffee.

Look, how come you do this for a stranger, huh?

Oh, a fella needs something to eat,

a place to sleep, you give it to him.

That's the way it is in farm country.

My pa was a farmer.

Oh.

Of course he never mentioned that it was 20 scrub acres,

only one crop growing regular,

and that was rocks.

He liked to have broke his back

for 35 years.

That's a long time.

35 years.

He used to tell folks

how he was gonna settle down one day

and live in town.

Live like a gentleman.

So he buys this rat-hole!

Works his heart out for six years...

and dies.

Some town!

Well, a city's not so great, either.

A smart-dressed fella like you.

I never would have figured you

for saying a thing like that.

I was a farm boy once.

I guess it sticks.

Oh, you got a feeling for the country?

Well, you should stay a spell.

Oh, it's real pretty around here.

It's nice and healthy.

No, I can't.

How much do I owe you for the breakfast?

You can trust us. We ain't city folk.

Wouldn't be too many questions asked.

Forget it.

How much do I owe you?

Four bits.

You, uh, missing something?

Yeah, my wallet.

Oh.

I guess I dropped it someplace.

You worried about breakfast,

you can work it out.

You can't tell, you might get to like working around here.

I'm moving out.

Maybe you'd like to read that first.

Pa's room is real nice.

It's big and it's airy.

It's out back.

You'll be safe there.

Thanks just the same.

But you're thinking to stay?

I'm thinking to stay.

It's fairly certain

that if he's traveling due south on Elston Fork,

he must have gone through Five Points.

He could've taken any one of five roads from there.

It gets easier all the time.

Are the State Police covering all those roads?

They set up roadblocks after Barney was found.

We'll work inside these limits.

Well, he could have doubled back,

headed north. Toward Chicago?

He'd be begging for it.

He must know they were trying to finger him.

And they know that he knows.

Right this minute, somebody wants him real bad.

So do I.

How many men you using?

I'm figuring eight.

I work alone.

One man to a town.

If you need more cars,

get in touch with Felix.

Suppose Country caught a ride?

He could be out of the state.

That's why the reward.

$5,000 can be heard a very long way.

Wally... I want him.

I want him before Ness gets him.

After 48 discouraging hours,

Ness went into the field himself.

At 4:00 that afternoon, he stopped at Five Points.

Nothing.

I checked the whole street.

Well, you've got the description.

Take a good look at any stranger that drops in.

Call me.

You can reverse the charges.

I'll do that.

I didn't know raccoons made good pets.

They don't.

It's all right.

I got rid of him pretty good, huh?

I gotta get out of here.

You want to get yourself hung?

I've got to get back to Chicago.

There are a few things I have to do before they pick me up.

They ain't gonna pick you up!

If you'll just keep your head for a week or so

till they quit looking!

Comes a dark night,

I sneak you out of here,

and the next day, I'll bring you back.

Say from Springfield, maybe.

Don't you see how easy it is?

You're my cousin, Ames.

You're coming down here to work for me.

Ain't nobody gonna guess.

You stay with me for the rest of your life.

You've got everything figured out, haven't you?

Me... or the police.

Take your pick.

Walk out... anytime you like.

You're feeding him pretty good.

Let's go, Country Boy!

Somebody wants to see you in the city.

You push me, I can do it right here.

I'm not gonna ask you again, Country Boy. You coming?

Why don't you go ahead and do it?!

Okay, punk, you asked for it!

Too bad... he tried to hold me up.

The shooting of Wally Jater was a local sensation.

Five points was not accustomed to death by violence.

Emmy Sarver's story was simple and direct.

It was accepted without question

or qualification.

Draw another blank?

Yeah, how about you?

Well, nothing so far.

Not in these books.

But we found something over here.

Telephone wire.

In a desk drawer?

It looks like somebody cut off the service.

Not the phone company.

They tape a loose wire.

That's what I thought.

Not a thing in these books about two phones.

Barney was only paying for one.

Well, somebody had to pay for the other.

You check the company?

The district manager.

I pulled him out of a bridge game.

You heading back to the office?

Yeah. He's going to call me.

I'll let you know.

It would be funny, wouldn't it...

A big brain like that if he hung himself on a loose wire?

We might not even need Country Parrish.

It's okay.

Well, you sure took your time.

I couldn't close the station no sooner.

Didn't want nobody asking questions.

You want something to eat?

No, I ain't hungry.

Well, you...

you ain't figuring to move out now?

Why not?

Well, somebody's gonna spot you for sure.

Ain't like it used to be around here.

We don't go to bed on the sun no more.

I mean... what with the radio and all.

Be a couple of hours at least

till it's safe.

You feel closed in here?

You come on out back.

There's room to walk around.

And we... could talk.

I'll stay in here.

Kind of foolish, I guess.

Getting all gussied up.

Kind of foolish, too, about that wallet!

Wallet? That wallet you took from my coat

when you took the gun!

And don't tell me that was... Oh!

That your pa's gun!

I'm no country two-bit cop!

I killed a man with that gun before you ever did.

They're gonna trace it right back to you!

And there's another thing... You can't hold me here.

You don't lock up a man like some lousy raccoon!

You don't lock me up! Unless you don't figure too good neither,

because the lights are still on outside!

I don't turn them off, and somebody is gonna wonder!

You wouldn't get two feet from here.

Why, they're covering the whole end of this state.

Now you just listen to me.

I am your only chance!

Why me?

Why pick on me?

You got men coming in there all the time.

Truckers!

What was I ever to them?

A cup of joe, two eggs over easy, one of the boys.

I ain't got nobody but you.

And you ain't got nobody but me.

When I say go, you go.

And when I say stay, you stay.

That's the way it is now.

You sit and live with that, mister!

Ow!

Ain't the first time...

that I've been hit in the face.

♪ ♪

I was hoping you'd have some word about Parrish.

We haven't. I'm sorry.

No leads at all?

No, sir, not on Parrish, nothing.

I had promised the mayor some news before morning.

I might as well be blunt, Mr. Ness.

I'm most unhappy the way things are going.

I'm not exactly overjoyed myself.

After all, you've had three days.

So has Parrish.

He knows where he's going. We don't.

There's something you'd better learn, Mr. Thornton.

You don't make arrests by timetable.

Sometimes it takes three days,

sometimes three months, sometimes not at all.

Anytime you think you can do any better...

Hello. Ness.

Mr. Ness?

This is Emmy Sarver in Five Points.

You know, you was down here today.

What I'm asking is about that reward.

That $5,000.

Why, have you seen him?

When?

No, no, you stay out of there.

I'll have some state troopers down in 15 minutes.

They'll cover the station until we get there.

Yes, certainly. You'll get the reward.

Right.

Woman named Sarver in Five Points.

Runs a diner and a gas station.

Just found a man sleeping out in her storeroom.

Thinks it's Parrish.

We'll have to contact the state boys.

You can tell the switchboard on the way out.

You'll excuse us. Mr. Ness, you asked if I could do better.

I think I can.

I believe Parrish comes under state jurisdiction.

I didn't think that was the point.

Country Boy is small time.

We want the man he's working for.

I thought maybe Parrish might talk.

At least I want the chance to make him sweat.

You'll get it, when I bring him in.

You're going down yourself?

After all, the state police will be there, if you'll notify them.

I'll bring two deputies with me.

If you have no objection, of course.

As long as Parrish ends up in a cell.

He will.

Excuse me.

Bill, call the state boys.

It'll be nice to get some sleep for a change.

Let's go to Barney's office and see how Hobson made out.

Well, try his line again.

All right, if he calls in, be sure to give him the message.

Eliot, I've been trying to reach you.

That phone was a direct line.

To where?

To Thornton's home.

Thornton?

Mr. Law Enforcement Commissioner himself.

What's the matter?

Country Boy... I just handed him to Thornton.

I'm Pete Garrett, Mr. Thornton.

We had a call you were coming down here.

Garrett... I'll remember that name.

How many are you? Two.

Dennie Kemper's out back.

The Captain didn't have no more.

So many men out on road blocks.

There are five of us. Should be enough.

These men are special officers.

They work directly for the Commission.

You and your friend cover the back.

We'll take care of the front. Yes, sir.

Are you Mrs. Sarver?

Miss.

The storeroom's right in back of the diner.

I think maybe I can get him to open up.

Good.

I'll show you.

Remember, I don't want any violence here.

Country, I brung you a snack.

You ain't had no supper yet.

Did you hear me?!

Yeah, I heard...

All right, Country, come along quietly.

Thank you, madam.

I'll make sure you get your check.

Check?

You pig.

You filthy pig.

You know what you did?

You know who he is?

We heard some yelling.

Well, he won't yell anymore.

We'll take it from here.

You'd better get back if your captain's short handed.

Yes, sir. He'll appreciate it.

Please tell him how much I appreciate his cooperation.

Sure thing.

Thornton, this is Eliot Ness.

I've got him.

Why did you have to come down here?

To put you under arrest.

Arrest?

Don't play games with me, Mr. Ness.

We found that phone in Barney's desk.

Thornton, don't be a fool.

Come on out of there.

Thornton, you hear me?

You might get lonesome on the way back.

Keep him company.

I'm sorry about the raccoon, ma'am.

I'm afraid he's dead.

It don't matter.

It don't matter.

He never was much of a pet.

The exposure of Willard Thornton

rocked the city of Chicago

and put an end to the new crime cartel.

Enforcement of the law was returned to the pros.

The Untouchables.