Kojak (1973–1978): Season 1, Episode 1 - Siege of Terror - full transcript

A robbery of armored car guards morphs into a deadly hostage standoff, with bulldog Lt. Theo Kojak as the negotiator. Half the Talaba Brothers gang escapes with the cash, but when the other half is cornered, they invade a surplus store, crammed with guns and ammo. The robbers also have bargaining chips: the 5 people in the building, plus a badly wounded patrolman, who dove in the store to warn of the incoming robbers. While young Detective Bobby Crocker pursues the thieves who got away, his boss at Manhattan South, the dapper, bald Kojak smooth-talks Jerry Talaba to get the hostages out. Hothead Talaba demands a crewed, fueled 707 at JFK, or he'll start killing the hostages, then toss them out before the TV cameras and hundreds of spectators - one by one.

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Freeze!

Get 'em up! Get 'em up!

All the way down!

Available cars,
Manhattan South area.

We have a bank job.

It's a robbery in progress... 10-31.
Armored truck.

Three or more
armed perpetrators.

4014 Nostrand Avenue.

4014 Nostrand Avenue.

Units responding.

723.
Manhattan South detectives.



We will respond.
We're in civilian clothes.

10-4, Car 723.
All right. Let's go.

Get down and stay down.
Right here.

Hurry up! Hurry up!

Hurry up.!
Get that money off the truck.!

Freeze!

They're firing at us!
Diamond and Broad!

Let's get out of here!

It's a chase!
It's a four-door green sedan!

Let's go!

Aah!
Where's the panel?

I can't see it!

Try and make the drop!

Get him off me!



We only got
a couple blocks to go.
Try and make it.

- I don't think we can!
We better ditch and run!
- No! The drop... Try!

We're boxed in!

Hurry up! Hurry up!

Come on.!
Leave him.!

Get out of here!

Hey.! Now we got
some hostages.!

We got hostages!

Hold it! Hold it!

What about the cop?
I don't know what's wrong.
Hejust ain't movin

Is he related to you?
No.

All right. Is there people in the store?
Well, they got these kids
in there with weapons.

How many people in the store?
Well, they got about six.

What about the officer?
Emergency Service
is trying to reach him.

Tie that around your waist!
I think he's paralyzed.

Cover me.

Give me a hand.

How many weapons did you see?
Looked like they got
two handguns and a shotgun.

And there's a patrolman inside?
I don't know if he's still alive.

You sent for an ambulance?
It's on the way.
They got one coming.

Bad news here.

"Apex Surplus Store.
Work clothing, camping
equipment, guns and ammunition.

"Highest grade rifles, handguns,
shotguns. All makes.

Savings in every department. "

Load the rifles first.
Right.

Are you the owner?
Yes.

Any other way out of here?
No.

What about the roof?
There's no way up there
from the inside.

What's that?

What's that?

Hey, what are they up to?

Those rotten...

Answer it.

Yes?

It's the police.

- Go ahead.
- This is Lieutenant Kojak.

I want to come into the store
and have a talk.
I'm alone and unarmed.

Uh-huh.

Um, all right.

Join the party.

Looks like we got us another cop.

Nice and slow.

Turn around.

Turn around!
Back in the rest of the way.

Hit the floor.
Face down.

He's clean.

Get up!
Hang on.

You the one I talked to?

- Yeah.
- Uh, forgot your name.

- Kojak.
- Ah. Talk.

- Well, the area's surrounded...
- And we don't have a chance.
You could have said that over the phone.

- I came to make a deal.
- What are you offering?

A chance for all of you
to walk out alive.

Okay.
That's a lousy bluff.

You ain't about to crash this place.
Not with all these, uh, citizens.

Well, why don't you
send them out and hold me?

You're no prize.
Who cares about a cop?

Could I take him?

No, you can't take him.
I'll make you a deal.

I want a clear path to the airport
and a plane ready...

with an overseas
flight crew.

Well, that's not in my authority.

I didn't think it was.
Pass the word on to the brass.

- Maybe they'll approve.
What do you think?
- It's, uh, possible.

Hmm.
That's what I wanted to hear.

- Can I talk to him?
- Go ahead.

Can you hear me?

I'm gonna try to get a doctor in.

Oh, geez, it hurts.
Ah, you start to worry
when it stops hurting.

Just hold on.

- Can I, uh, bring a doctor in?
- Why? The cop's had it.

Well, you don't know that.
And if he dies, uh,
there'll be a murder charge.

There might already be a murder charge.
What about the cop we nailed outside?

No, he's all right.
What do you say?

All right. One doctor.

But don't forget
about the airplane.

He won't forget.

It's 4:29.
Set it.!

You got two hours to get us
on our way to that airplane.

If not, I start throwing them out.
You can keep the clock as a reminder.

Lieutenant Kojak is coming
out of the store now. Perhaps
we can get a word with him.

Lieutenant, what's
the situation in the store?

This is Dr. Simmons.
What condition
is the officer in?

Conscious.
He's got a bad stomach wound.

They set up a command post
on the third floor.

The doctor's going inside
to treat the injured patrolman.

Hold your fire.
Repeat, hold your fire.

I want three lines.
Right, Commissioner.

They want an airplane.

We've got until 6:30
to give them confirmation,
or they'll kill the hostages.

How many innocents in the store?
Six, including the officer.

Get me the mayor's office.
You think they're capable
of killing them?

Mm-hmm.
I've got all their records.

The wounded suspect is Emery Wilson.
Here's his B-cage.

He identified all his buddies.
The three in the store
are, uh, Jerry Talaba,

Mike Amazeen
and Jack Murzie.

Ed Bentz,

Frank Talaba.
Jerry Talaba's older brother.

He and Bentz escaped in the panel truck.
Frank Talaba planned the whole job.

I said, put the mayor on.!
I don't care who he's with.!

Yes, Doctor.

Your officer has a violent
internal hemorrhage,
and his condition is serious.

He might live if we can get him
to a hospital in time.

- How long otherwise?
- Maybe a few hours.

He's gonna need another
injection soon for his pain.

All right, Doctor. Thank you.

Jerry Talaba...

two arrests for armed robbery,
two for assault
and attempted murder.

John Murzie...

convicted of double homicide
at the age of 15.

Spent six years in a hospital
for the criminally insane.

Now, who asked the question
whether they're capable of
killing those hostages?

Any more questions?

I'd like to get the people
as far back as possible.

We have no way ofknowing
what's going to happen.

Yes, Your Honor.

The mayor's giving
the airplane evacuation plan
immediate evaluation.

Ah, forget it.
You mind interpreting
that for us, Lieutenant?

Hey, look.
You give those punks a 707,

you're just adding a flight crew
to the hostages.

That plane ride is a death trip.

And it's gonna be a shootout
no matter where they land.
You have any better ideas?

Yeah. Just keep 'em in the store.
At least we have some control over 'em.

Control, with five hostages,
a wounded cop,
and all six under a time limit?

Gentlemen, gentlemen!
We can't all decide strategy!

The wounded policeman held
hostage inside the store...

has been identified as patrolman
Richard Calvelli, 23,

married and a father
of two children.

His condition has been
reported as serious,

and, without hospitalization,
could worsen.

Thus far, police officials,
who have set up a command post...

Hey.
Why don't we let the cop go?
He's no use to us.

No way.!
He stays here along with
the rest of the citizens.

Here's the layout
of the store foundation.
Do you mean digging?

There's a utility tunnel which runs
alongside the store basement.

Emergency Service can break in
through there and do it by 6:30.

Yeah, but there's
a risk involved.

Suspects might
hear the digging.

We got an armored
personnel carrier out there...

that makes more noise
than a boiler factory.

All we gotta do is keep it
moving around.

It's better than a 707.
Are you sure
of that, Lieutenant?

Because if we go ahead,

you're going to have
full tactical command all the way.

Just so nobody thinks
that the job is over
when we get into the basement.

We don't get near those hostages
until we get a major diversion...

something to distract...
a chopper...

dumping a lot of men
on top of the roof.

Make these punks think that
they're being assaulted from above.

If one of those hostages
is killed in an exchange,

we'll all be held responsible.

All right. Start digging.

We're wasting time!

Why don't we start with the citizens?
Show the heat we mean business?
No.! Wait.!

We got time for that later.

Take it easy.

Everybody listen.
We're not interested in killing you.
We just want to get out of here.

But if there's no airplane,
then there's no choice.

Ain't nothing personal,
you understand.

That doesn't mean
that you all have to die.

Maybe if one of you goes,
then the cops will give in.

If you have to kill someone,
take me first.

We got us a volunteer.

Hey, if you were any older,
you'd disappear.

Shut up.

Please let me go.
I'll do anything.

- Stand up.
- Hey...

I'll blow your face off.

Stand up.

Turn around, slow.

You an actress?

A model.

Funny.
Most guys spend their lives...

hoping for a chance
with a girl like you,

but right now
it doesn't mean a thing.

Amazeen.

One arrest for assault,
two for possession of mary jane.

Hey, a call just came in.
They found the panel truck
that Frank Talaba escaped in.

Where?
Just a couple of blocks from here...
a garage over on Haber.

Truck's abandoned.
No sign of the suspects.

Well, you better highball it down there
and see what else you can learn.
Right.

Hey. Think Frank Talaba
could soften up his brother?

Well, the records indicate
that he always had.

We know he planned
the armored car take,

cutting his little brother in
on a piece of the action.

Hey.

What kind of boots you got on?

Combat boots.
What?

Combat boots.

Yeah?
You in the army?

No.

I always wanted to be.
They turned me down.

Why's that?

Emotional instability.

Hey, Murzie.
That makes two of you.

- That ain't funny.
- You're absolutely right.
That ain't funny.

So you always wanted
to be a hero, huh?

- I guess so.
- Some hero.
You're sweating all over yourself.

- It's hot in here.
- Take your coat off, why don't you?

I'll be all right.

Hey, listen.

I got a funny feeling,
like the building was shaking
or something.

George Mastin.
He used to make
obscene phone calls.

That was a long time ago.

Then his phone bill got too big,
so he started putting his money
into property.

Is that right, Georgie?
I own a few buildings.

Including he's got the lease
on this joint right here.

Blue van.

You charge for parking space,
George? Huh?

I never saw this heap before.
Come on. You know
you saw it before.

Somebody must have snuck...
The blue van.
Hold it, Eddie, hold it.

They must have snuck it in
when I was out to lunch.
Did you ever hear of the Talaba brothers?

No. No.
Huh?

They ripped off an armored car
just a few blocks from here.

This place seems like a perfect place
to make a vehicle switch.

I don't know
what you're talking about.
Oh, I'll break it down for you.

You and I are gonna pull a big heist.
The only problem is,
we gotta get away.

And Manhattan is
a pretty congested place
to go far in a hot car.

So the ideal plan is to have
a cold car planted nearby.
You know what I'm saying, Georgie?

No! There was
nothing planted here.

That's funny.
One of your neighbors saw
a couple of guys...

matching the Talabas'
description parking a van here
three days before the robbery.

The neighbor says he saw you
giving parking directions.

You want to talk
to your neighbor, Georgie?

Huh?

Talaba never told me when
they were gonna pull the robbery.

- What are you charging for the storage?
- Five hundred.

Give me a description
of the van, Georgie.

- Thirty feet.
- Thirty feet.

Rust color.
Rust color?

I didn't notice the license.
What did you notice?

What do you mean,
you didn't notice the license?
What did you notice?

When they brought the van in,
I saw some lettering
on the side of the cab.

What lettering?
Uh, "something salvage yard."

"Salvage yard"?
Come on, Georgie.
Think hard, George.

- I can't remember it. Honest.
- Think about it, Georgie!

All right. Let's have a replay.
They drove in in a panel truck.

They switched the money
from one van to the other van?
That's right.

And then drove out?
And you're gonna tell me that we're
not gonna wait here for our buddies?

Well, they were too scared.
And they gave me a message
to tell them.

They told me to tell them
that they were headed for the safe house.

Where's that, Georgie?
I don't... I don't know.

Honest. I really don't know.
You don't know?

Come on, George.
Start making sense.
No, honest. L...

You're being honest, right?
Come on. You can do
better than that, George!

Come on. Let's go.
Come on.

Okay, Bobby. Start a check
of the closest salvage yards.

Right.
We just got word from city hall
on Talaba's airplane.

Mayor had to turn it down.

Seems he felt the same way you did...
We'd only be putting
more people in danger.

Why don't you put a clamp
on that news.

When these punks find out that their
last hope has gone down the toilet,
they're gonna start wasting hostages.

Where are you going?
Across the street. I just got a call.
Might have a lead on Frank Talaba.

What's that got to do with
walking back into that store?
I said we might have a lead.

I don't know how long
it's gonna take to pay off.

But we're fighting for time,
and I'll take it any way I can.

The area resembles a battleground.
No further word on the condition
of the hostages...

or the wounded officer.

They won't let me back in there,
and that officer needs medication.

Give it to me.

Is this for pain?
Morphine.

Could you get me a priest?

Sorry, pal. We might all
need priests in a few minutes.

This is Lieutenant Kojak.

I want to come back
in the store.

I have some
very important news.

This is for him.

Okay.

First one for free?

Yeah, it's on the house.
I got connections.

Any chance
of getting out of here?

Sure.

Yeah, and the devil serves
lemonade, right?

What's the news?

You got your plane ride.
The mayor approved it.

What's the hook?

None. They're readying
a 707 at Kennedy now.

- Who's the crew... the cops and the F.B.I.?
- It's your ride. You make up your own mind!

All right.
I want a bus backed
to the front of the store.

Seats removed so we can have
a free hand with the hostages.
Kennedy's a long drive.

We ain't gonna drive very far...
just to the nearest heliport.
We're gonna fly the rest of the way.

You take care of that
little detail, huh, Kojak?

He's gonna slow you down.

You can have him
when we're on the plane.
How long before we get going?

We're in contact
with Kennedy Operations now.

They're having a little trouble
assembling a flight crew.

You know, no one's anxious
for a job like that.
How much time?

About two hours.
Forget it.!
You're stalling, Kojak.

You had two hours.
It's 5:30.
You got just one left.

Unless that plane is ready
by 6:30, Kojak, we're gonna
have one for the meat wagon.

And 15 minutes later,
we're gonna have another one.

If you think I'm bluffing
around with you,
you read my yellow sheet!

Get out ofhere.!

Well, you keep me posted.

Emergency Service...
They're almost through to the basement.

Let's hope they don't hear
that drilling upstairs.

Well, they're digging
with shovels now. Hey, look.

I told them the mayor
okayed a plane.
And they bought it?

Well, they didn't buy it
for extending time.

We got 55 minutes before they start
throwing bodies out the door.

I've checked
with Talaba's past associates.

He's got a friend who owns
a salvage yard.
The friend has a record...

for arranging cold cars
for rip-offs.
What's his name?

- Albie Linnick.
- "Fat Albie."

You know him?
From the first car he ever stole.

Hey, look. If Talaba's brother's
hiding out with him,
I'd better handle this myself.

And I might make a deal with Albie.
You hold this.

It takes 10 minutes there and back,
and God help us if there's a traffic jam.

Come on.

Lot of car there, Albie.

Yeah. There's enough horses
in that engine
to fly you to Canada.

- What's the matter?
My heart's kicking up.

I need some air.

Finish the job, huh?
Finish it yourself.
I need a few seconds rest.

Fat boy!

Goin' someplace?
As far as I can get.

Any bad company
in there? Frank Talaba?

Yeah, and some other
crazy punk.

I souped a car for 'em,
then bluffed a stall.

What were you afraid of?
They wouldn't leave any witnesses?

I wasn't gonna stay to find out.
Are you gonna crash in?

No, fatso. We're gonna wait
until they get curious about you.

Get over there.

Drop your gun!

I said, drop it.!

Frank Talaba?
Front and center!

Okay, okay.
I'm comin' out!

Put your hands on your head
and back out.

That's good.
Nice and slow.

Okay.

Frankie, baby,
do I have a deal for you.

All right.

Well, they've broken through.
What's it look like?

Well, there's a stairway.
The store's floor plan shows...

that it leads up to a stockroom
at the rear of the main floor.

Now, the problem
is sending men in.

We're fresh out of daylight,
and they've got the power
turned off in the store.

Can you blame them?
With those lights on,
they're a sniper's delight.

But don't sweat it, Mac.
Darkness can be a friend
to us too.

Okay, sweetheart.
It's you and me.

We're gonna go into that store,
and you're gonna tell your brother
to cop a plea and give himself up.

You gotta be crazy.

Look, I'm not walking
into that shooting gallery.
He's only got two options.

Either we cut him up for dog meat,
or he goes into the slam
for keeps, and you can save him.

I got a better chance
of saving myself.

Oh, do you?
Maybe you don't understand,

but you're just as legally responsible
for those hostages as your brother,
Murzie and Amazeen.

And you're gonna freeze to death
just looking at that jury.

You think it over.

Well?

All right. I'll talk to him.
But it's not gonna do you any good.

It'll do some...
maybe not for you, maybe not for me,

but it'll distract that gang
long enough for the hostages
to spot the escape route.

Time's just about up.

Listen.
What's that?

Who have you got
in that chopper?

Three Emergency Service
officers with drills.

I figure they'll give us
the distraction we need.

So what's the plan?
Here.

"Go to the basement.
The police are there."
Well, that's short and clear.

How do you signal us?
Well, you listen to it.

You can't wear a wire in there.
Not me.

I just don't think Talaba
would search his own brother.

It's circling.

Hey, that could be our transport
to the airfield!

I'm worried about my family
and what they're gonna do.

They're going to be with you...
well and happy.

You're saying that so I don't give up,
but you did.

You told those animals
you wanted to die.

Not "wanted."
I didn't say that.

I only meant that at my age,
what's left of my life
doesn't greatly matter.

It does to me.
Well, it should.

You're a policeman.
That's a noble thing to be,
an important thing.

Well, we're not perfect,

but we're okay.

We're the only line
between the people and them.

Time's up.

And you're it.

Talaba?

Talaba, I'm coming in.

Stay back.
Get back. Get back. Get back.

What do you say, Talaba?

- Get that creep outta here!
- I want to talk to you, Jerry.

You did your talking
when you ran out on us!
Come on, kid.

At least let me explain.

All right. Come on,
both of you, inside.

All right. They're in.
Go ahead.

I didn't run out on you, kid.
I figured you were
right behind me.

You didn't wait around
to find out, did you?

You got anything else
you want to say?

Give it up, Jerry, huh?
Before they have to carry you out?

Hey, you don't sound like
my tough big brother anymore.

If I get carried out of here,
you're gonna be right with me.

Don't worry about it. You're not gonna
be watching anybody get carried out.
Didn't they promise us an airplane?

...transport for themselves
and their hostages to Kennedy.

That's your goof, Kojak.
I warned you...

The first bullet's
got your name on it.

- I told you we needed more time.
- Pass me a handkerchief. I cry easy.

Jerry.
Some news coming over.

...just in from
W-REN News Central.

It has been reported
that a decision has been
made by the mayor...

in response to the demands
of the gunmen.

Unofficial sources disclose
that the request for an airplane
has been denied.

This information is not...
repeat, not... official.

But it is likely that the hopes
of the gunmen in regard
to the plane have vanished.

We repeat the bulletin
from W-REN News Central...
Turn on the drills.

...the mayor at an emergency
session at city hall.

A W-REN news team is attempting
to contact the mayor's office...

and police officials
for confirmation of this report.

So far, a communications
blackout has existed...
You jobbed us!

You're gonna be
the first one out the door.
Now, get up.!

They're cuttin'
through the roof.

- Take over.
If he moves, waste him!

All right!
All right! Come in!
Come on in!

Aah!

Why don't you
pack it in, Amazeen?
There's no way out now.

Just put down your gun
and walk out with your hands up.

With that army of
trigger-happy stiffs out there?

Hey.

You put down the gun,
and I'll lead the way out.

Hold it!
Turn around, Kojak!

No.

No more orders, Talaba.

You've run out of cards.
Everybody's gone.

Everybody but you.

Well, cops are no prize,
remember?
Do no good killing me.

Wrong! Killing you is gonna
give me a lot of satisfaction.

Well, you make up your own mind,
because I'm walkin'.

I'm warning you, Kojak.

Kojak, I'm gonna
blow you away.

He's coming out.
Cover the lieutenant.

I can get
a better shot here.

Lieutenant Kojak
is now coming out...

with an officer on his arm...
it's probably Richard Calvelli.

Forget it. He's dead.

I know it's been a tough day, sir,
but maybe you could give us
just a moment.

Lieutenant, I just wanted
to say thank you.

I'm sorry about that officer.
He might have saved himself,

but he came into the store
to warn us about those gunmen.

He was very brave.
That's what he got paid for.

The only line...

What?

Those were his last words...

about the police being
the only line of defense.

Defense between...
I understand.

Come on. Get in.
We'll go for coffee.

Let's wait until my nerves
settle down.

I can understand.

It's hard to keep your mind off
of everything that's happened.

I'm thinking what's gonna happen...
all that damn paperwork.