We continue our reviews that focus on Batman actors in other detective and mystery programs as part of our Amazing World of Radio Summer Series, focusing on their old-time radio work. This week, we take a look at Eli Wallach, who guest starred on the first episode of the second season of Naked City, which aired on ABC on October 12, 1960.
Background:
During its 39-episode first season from 1958-59, The Naked City had been a critical success as a well-acted half-hour police drama that was noted for shooting from real locations in New York City. It was not a ratings hit and was canceled after one season. However, the series had its supporters at the network, including a sponsor, which got the series a new lease on life as it returned for the 1960-61 season. Horace McMahon reprised his role from the half-hour series as Lt. Mike Parker. The second season would feature a new protagonist, Detective Adam Flint (played by Paul Burke).
The first episode, “Death of Princes”, would be key to giving the show a strong start. The series had landed a notable guest star in Eli Wallach, whose most memorable roles were ahead of him, but who had already won a Tony and a BAFTA.
Review:
The relaunched Naked City has a perfect opening sequence, beginning on a calm Sunday morning, that’s shattered when a shooter (played by a pre-Columbo Peter Falk) opens fire on a police officer. A shootout then commences over three minutes, ending with the shooter out of bullets and telling the detective’s partner, Peter Bane(Eli Wallach) that he’s out of ammo and drops his gun. Bane guns him down anyway, with Flint arriving just in time to see it happen. Bane insists that, from his angle, it didn’t look like the shooter had dropped the gun, and that it was a clear case of self-defense, leaving it as a case of conflicting testimony with no definite evidence.
This is the third suspect that Bane has gunned down since coming to his current precinct (while also winning several medals) and Flint wants a new partner. Lt. Parker wants Flint to watch Bane. Flint hates the idea of spying on a fellow cop and prefers to leave the matter to internal affairs. Meanwhile, Bane has an endgame of his own. Bane has covered up crimes for three people and is blackmailing them into participating in a robbery of the box office at a Madison Square Garden charity boxing match. In their final meeting, he lets them know that in the course of committing the crime, he’ll murder two people to ensure there are no witnesses who can identify him.
There’s a lot to commend in the episode. It’s beautifully shot and flawlessly directed. But for its length, it feels cinematic in the best noir tradition. Paul Burke does a great job as Flint, showing him in this first outing to be a sensitive and complicated man who is trying to do the right thing, but finds himself in a very uncomfortable position. The episode also established Flint’s relationship with up-and-coming actress, Libby Kingston (Nancy Malone) and she plays a pivotal part in helping Flint resolve his dilemma. The blackmailed conspirators all feature solid performances including George Maharis and old time radio veteran Jan Miner.
Yet, this episode belongs to Eli Wallach, who brings Bane to life. Bane is a challenging character to play because the episode makes clear, Bane is evil. Truly evil characters are hard for actors to play without turning them into snarling cartoon characters. But this is exactly the sort of character Wallach could bring to life. His portrayal captures the nuances of the Bane and makes it totally believable that he could survive and thrive on the police force for many years. Bane is intelligent and cunning, he quotes Shakespeare and has a certain charisma. But he’s also utterly corrupt and a sadist. He’s a malign influence and is seeking to turn his three blackmail victims into co-conspirators in a double murder. The character is horrible yet absolutely compelling.
The fundamental question of the story that’s not resolved until its final minutes is whether anyone will dare to take him on and stop him.
Overall, “The Death of Princes” is a superb start for Naked City‘s new format and a compelling episode, with the episode and Wallach’s performance holding up very well more than sixty years later.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
This episode is available for purchase on Amazon. (Affiliate Link)
