The Untouchables (1959–1963): Season 1, Episode 20 - The Unhired Assassin: Part 1 - full transcript
Major changes are on their way, including the end of Prohibition, when Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected President in the fall of 1932. The Chicago mob, led by Frank Nitti, is out to get control of the upcoming Chicago World's Fair with it's lucrative concessions and other revenue streams. When they are unable to bribe the mayor, Anton J. Cermak, they decide to track his movements and assassinate him. They know he goes to same coffee shop every day at the same time so that becomes the obvious site for the hit. When Eliot Ness learns of the their plans, he races to save the Mayor. In Florida meanwhile, a mentally disturbed man, Giuseppe 'Joe' Zangara, decides to assassinate the President-elect.
(tires squeal)
Clear the streets!
Get out of here!
This is police business!
On the floor! Everybody
on the floor, quick!
ANNOUNCER: Tonight's episode...
Part One of "The Unhired Assassin."
Starring Robert
Stack as Eliot Ness.
Costarring Bruce
Gordon, Joe Mantell
and Claude Akins.
With Special Guest
Star Robert Middleton.
WALTER WINCHELL:
November 9, 1932.
At 15 minutes past midnight,
Eastern Standard Time,
the Associated
Press from Palo Alto
reported this
three word flash...
"Hoover concedes defeat!"
Three years of depression
had thrust Herbert Hoover
and the Republicans from
control of the government,
and elected New York governor,
Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
President of the United States.
The Volstead Act was doomed.
Repeal of the Eighteenth
Amendment, Prohibition,
was inevitable.
Let's celebrate.
WINCHELL: At 2:15
a.m. Chicago time,
the Untouchables, led
by their chief, Eliot Ness,
celebrated the beginning
of the end of prohibition
by destroying the
last of the breweries
operated by Al
Capone and company.
(gunfire)
(groans)
Wonder if it will sell
for a nickel a glass
when it comes back.
Yeah, I imagine.
Happy days are here again!
Say, are we going
to be out of work?
Not us. Things are
going to get a lot worse
before they get better.
I know what you mean.
Frank Nitti and his boys are
going to put on the pressure
getting rid of
their bootleg stock.
That's part of it.
After that, they'll start
some brand-new operations.
Nitti isn't going to quit
the rackets, that's for sure.
So, they'll start muscling in
on legitimate businesses.
And this'll be
target number one.
I got a meeting in
the mayor's office
in the morning about it.
He wants to get
the town cleaned up
before everybody in the world
comes visiting next spring.
And you think
we'll be out of work?
WINCHELL: 9:00
a.m., Miami, Florida.
The same morning,
the same big news.
The front pages of
newspapers are always devoted
to important people
and spectacular events.
On this morning of
November 9, 1932,
there was certainly nothing
newsworthy about a small man
who wandered aimlessly
down a Miami street.
Giuseppe Zangara was an emigrant
from the south of Europe.
He had come to Miami
from Patterson, New Jersey,
where he didn't like it,
because he didn't feel
good in cold weather.
It hadn't helped much,
because Joe Zangara never
really felt good anyplace.
He had gone to a hospital
once to try and find some relief
from the pains which
constantly tortured his insides.
The doctors said they could
find nothing wrong with him.
Had his doctors
pursued their analysis,
it would have become evident
that Joe Zangara had
pronounced homicidal tendencies.
Hey, read all about it!
Get your extra here!
Paper! Paper!
Read about your
new president here!
Paper!
Thank you, ma'am.
Hey, you got a new president...!
Hey, hey, hey, what that mean?
What that mean?
It means just what it says.
Hoover's out, Roosevelt's in.
We got a new president.
Hey, extra here! Extra!
I don't got to kill Hoover?
No. No, you don't
got to kill Hoover.
(laughs)
Democrats did it for you.
Hey, get your paper here!
Thank you, ma'am.
Hey, paper! Extra here!
It's Roosevelt.
It's now Roosevelt.
Do me a favor. Don't
kill him, will you?
At least not until we find out
what he's going to do to us.
He'd do the same.
They all do the same.
It makes no difference.
Bosses, kings,
presidents, is all the same!
Big people is all the
same! It's big money!
Yeah, yeah, sure.
Hey, paper here! Get your paper!
He's in Washington,
this Roosevelt?
No, no he ain't in Washington.
He's home with his family,
and this morning,
they're all celebrating
by taking baths in
champagne and big money.
Hey, paper! Come
on, get your paper here!
Uh, where he live,
Roosevelt, where he live?!
How do I know where he lives?
For two cents, you
can find out right here.
Paper here!
Yes, ma'am. Thank you.
Hey, get your
paper here! Paper...!
Two cents is...
Here... here's one
cent, two cents.
(scoffs)
Big money.
Hey, paper here,
get your paper...!
Yes, sir. Read all about it!
You got a new president here!
Hey, paper!
WINCHELL: Nothing newsworthy
about little Joe Zangara
on this November morning.
But before the
passing of many weeks,
this man's name and likeness
would be on the front pages
under screaming headlines.
And the word that would
identify his photograph
would be "assassin."
Chicago, the same morning
of November 10, 1932.
Along the lake front,
a great project was
under construction...
The Chicago World's Fair,
to be known as the "Century
of Progress Exposition."
In city hall,
the latest developments
regarding the exposition
were being reported by
Chicago's chief executive.
At 9:00 a.m. on
November 10, 1932,
the mayor of Chicago,
Anton J. Cermak,
held his weekly
press conference.
And that 75 million people
will visit the Chicago
Century of Progress.
In other words,
do you know how much money
will come into this city next year?
One billion dollars!
Pretty impressive,
huh, Mr. Ness?
Very impressive, Your Honor.
And that brings us
to something else.
When you've got big money,
you've got big problems, right?
Mr. Ness is the man
mostly responsible for the
fact that Al Capone is in prison.
And he and his
organization have continued
to wipe out rat's
nests all over the city.
Maybe Mr. Ness will tell you
about the big job he's
got coming up now.
Well, there can't be much
doubt that the Century of Progress
and all this money
that's coming in
represents a
real, big juicy thing
to the gangster elements.
It couldn't come at a
better time for them.
Repeal's on the way.
The days of bootleg and
gin mills are numbered.
So the job His
Honor's talking about is
to get Chicago cleaned
up and free of rackets
before these millions
of people get here.
So they'll see us as the
kind of town we used to be
before these 13
years of Prohibition.
Think it can be done, Mr. Mayor?
It's got to be done!
Capone is out of the way.
The big rat is in the cage,
and now the smaller rats...
The puppet rats
that used to jump
when Capone pulled the
strings... They will be exterminated!
Hold it, Mr. Mayor! Grab that.
WINCHELL: The next day,
in the old Capone office
over the Montmartre Cafe,
a meeting was being
held by the "puppet rats"
referred to by the
Mayor of Chicago.
Louis "Little New
York" Campagna...
Assigned to organize protective
rackets at the World's Fair.
Frank Diamond, specializing
in prostitution management.
Protégé and devoted
disciple of Al Capone,
one of the original
Capone gunmen.
Jake "Dodo" Ryan... hoodlum,
untalented but obedient.
Bill Skidmore... businessman,
promoter, a consulting
expert at emergency sessions.
And Frank Nitti...
Known as "The Enforcer".
Al Capone's hatchet man,
holding sway over
the organization
while number one was in Atlanta
as a guest of the government.
A fat, stinking
Bulgarian coal miner!
Bohemian.
Shut up! Don't
give me corrections!
I want to know something, I ask.
Now, shut up, and
let me think what to do.
Frank, cut it out and sit down.
You're going to give
yourself a headache.
Nobody wants to
know my solution?
Anytime a man
gives you a problem,
you have one
invariable solution.
Bump him off.
That's right, bump him off.
What's wrong with my idea?
Frank, you can't trust
your friends anymore
like you used to.
You plan something big
like bumping off the Mayor,
it's bound to get around,
and the first thing you
know, somebody sings.
Yeah, too many guys
need to cop a plea today.
You know what I mean?
SKIDMORE: Then they'll
really have something on us.
Then what'll happen?
The blue bellies will come up
and close this shop for good,
and we'll all have to go
down and live with Al Capone.
Frank, will you please
listen to my advice, now?
All right, I'm listening.
What is this... advice?
Out-of-town talent.
I got a man coming...
Should be here any minute...
From Boston.
A gun? Huh?
A gun? A lawyer.
Top man. Ira Peterson.
Very smart.
Handled some things
for our people back East.
Well, why do we need a lawyer?
To make a deal.
We form a dummy
corporation, include Cermak in.
He doesn't know it's us.
The whole thing is
handled from Boston.
Offer him a chance to make
a couple of hundred grand.
Sign him up, then
he's got to cooperate.
I have a feeling
this might work.
Well, I haven't!
I got a feeling Cermak
isn't going to get shut up
except by something that
talks louder than he does.
Like one of these.
Also from out of town.
If we need artillery,
we import it.
(knock at door)
Good morning, gentlemen.
I'm Mr. Peterson.
I understand we have problems.
But perhaps, as
President Coolidge said,
"Our most important problem
is not to secure new advantages,
but rather to maintain
those we already possess."
(snickering)
(laughing)
(laughing)
(laughter continues)
(laughter stops)
Well, gentlemen, time is money.
Shall we begin?
WINCHELL: On the night
of December 14, 1932,
in the library of Mayor
Anton Cermak's home,
lawyer Ira Peterson
had his meeting.
Your Honor, I represent
certain Boston clients,
whose names at present, I
am not at liberty to divulge.
Now, these gentlemen
are interested
in forming a syndicate
to manage and
direct the World's Fair
here in Chicago,
assuming, of course,
all responsibilities for
franchises, taxes, etcetera,
etcetera, etcetera.
Now, this syndicate
would operate
under Your Honor's
direct personal guidance,
since it would be
invaluable to have the benefit
of your great experience
in administration.
Go on, Mr. Peterson.
Well, sir, as
evidence of good faith,
we are empowered to make
a substantial down payment
to any account, or any bank,
that you care to designate.
What do you think
so far, Your Honor?
You really want to know?
Well, yes, yes, of course.
I think it's a big, fat bribe!
A scheme to muscle in
on legitimate business
and to get the Mayor of
Chicago in a trap at the same time.
I'd be an idiot to listen.
A proposition like this coming
from unknown clients.
Really, sir, I told
you I'm not at liberty
to divulge the names...
Well, I am at liberty
to divulge the names!
They are Nitti, Skidmore,
Capone and Company.
And they don't
operate in Boston;
they hang out right
here in Chicago...
Over a small building
on South Street.
We keep pretty close tabs
on that building, Mr. Peterson.
You were seen going
in and coming out
some weeks ago.
What buildings I go in and
out of are my own affair!
Now, is it bothering
you the fact
of accepting our proposal
while you're still in office...
You think I should resign
and accept your proposition
as a private citizen?
Yes.
It would certainly remunerate
you far more handsomely.
You're, uh... you're 60.
You could take it easy.
Mm-hmm.
Now, this I find
very interesting.
I thought you might.
Yes.
But what reason would
I give for resigning?
Ill health.
Perfectly logical.
There's precedent.
Yes, very interesting.
You know why?
Because it would mean
that when I got out of the way,
you fellows would
have to be very sure
that who ever
followed me in as Mayor
would be one of your people.
Or someone that you could buy.
So, to save the city from
that, I think I just won't resign.
Mister Mayor...
I have before me a list
of what a dully authorized
investigatorial committee
might recognize
as misuses of power
on the part of
a public official.
Now, these fact's
cover your actions
as a precinct captain...
your manipulations
of the Twelfth Ward,
and oh, yes,
your organized racial block
called the United Societies.
Now, we can produce
witnesses who...
You're wasting your
time, Boston lawyer.
These things you
dug up about me,
they printed that
stuff in books.
You can buy it in a bookstore.
A politician does many things,
but I can tell you this:
I've never been in jail.
And that's more than you can
say for your client, Frank Nitti.
No deal, Mr. Peterson.
Tell Nitti to go fly a kite!
Is that your final word?
No.
Good night!
Yes.
By the way,
I ran into some
interesting facts
during my research in Chicago.
Apparently, it's unlucky
to be mayor of this city
during a world's fair.
Did you know that the
last world's fair mayor
of Chicago was assassinated?
All right.
You asked for it,
now you're going to get it.
You're going to be
served with a summons
to appear and answer charges!
Charges of attempted bribery,
blackmail, etcetera, etcetera.
And threatening
the mayor's life.
And when you talk,
Nitti and Company
will be sent up.
And that's a promise!
And that seemed to draw blood.
He became very, very angry.
Said he was going to serve me
with the avowed intention
of preferring charges.
What charges?
Mm... attempted
bribery, suborning,
conveying the connotation
of a threat to his life.
But he, obviously,
won't go through with it.
You don't know that Bulgarian.
Suppose, just suppose,
he did serve this
subpoena, whatever it is...
what would happen?
Mm, I'd have to
appear and testify, but...
Tell the names of the
people who hired you?
Well, if you carry
it that far, yes...
I suppose a committee could,
under the pain of contempt
of court, force answers to...
And we would go to jail?
How big a rap?
Oh, come now, Mr. Nitti,
let's not carry this to
ridiculous extremes
of conjecture.
I tell you what we
do, Mr. Peterson.
Let's play safe, huh?
I think we'll get
you out of town.
You're probably right,
he won't serve the papers.
But just in case, you know?
Yeah, that's best, Mr. Peterson,
if you ain't around,
he can't serve
you with anything.
There's a plane out
of here in an hour.
A couple of the
boys will drive you
to the airport.
Who's got a car?
I got mine downstairs.
Hey, Louie, want to go along?
Sure, I'll go along.
Well, I don't suppose
there is any more
I can do here at present.
I want to get home
for Christmas anyway.
Still have some shopping to do.
Sure. We all let it
go to the last minute.
We'll be in touch.
Well, good-bye, Mr. Peterson.
Have a good trip.
What's the matter, Louis?
Feels like we got a flat tire.
Gee, I hope not.
Let's take a look.
Everything all right?
Front ones are all right.
You mind stepping outside,
and giving us a hand?
Mr. Peterson, I
think we got a flat tire
in the rear.
I'm afraid I wouldn't
be of much help.
Now!
Come on, get out!
Take your hands off me!
What, what do you
think you're doing?
You out of your mind? Ow!
(blow landing)
♪ ♪
Wonder how long it'll take
him to get back to Boston.
Could take years.
He'll never make
it for Christmas.
(laughs)
ANNOUNCER: And now
back to The Untouchables.
MOVIE ANNOUNCER:
Herr Hitler is saying:
"I have advanced
with my shock troops
and have placed myself at
the head of the government
to lead the German
people to liberty."
And so, Adolf Hitler
accepts the chancellorship,
although on less sweeping
terms than he had hoped for.
The composition of
the new German cabinet
leaves Herr Hitler no
scope for gratification
of any dictatorial ambition.
Happy birthday to
the president-elect.
Franklin Delano
Roosevelt is 51 years old.
The president-elect cuts
an eight-pound birthday cake
in the presence of
patients and staff members
of The Warm Springs
Georgia Foundation.
WINCHELL: In Miami, Joe Zangara's
savings had dwindled to $43...
All he had in the world.
He was living in the attic
room of a boarding house,
for which he paid
two dollars a week.
And he had found a restaurant
where he could eat
for 15 cents a day.
Joe Zangara had once
been a good workman.
He earned good money,
but nothing was
left of his will to work.
Nothing was inside him but
a constant, aching torment.
A misery which, he
believed in his twisted soul,
could be relieved
only by the death
of the leader of the nation.
In Chicago...
A group of assassins to
whom money was no object
in accomplishing the murder
of the man they had
marked for death.
Good evening.
Early in February, 1933,
two out-of-town gentlemen
arrived at the Capone office
for a conference.
These expensive experts
were known front face and profile
to the police of Detroit
and the North Central states as:
Milwaukee Minelli...
and Roley Sutton.
All right, let's get
down to business.
You know who we've got in mind?
This guy... Cermak.
NITTI: That's right.
That's pretty big stuff.
I never did one that big.
That's why you're
getting big money.
Sure.
That's always good.
We got some news,
ought to make things
a lot easier for you.
We did some research...
finding out what he does...
like his habits, you know?
Any objection to daytime?
Don't make much difference.
Night time's better,
but... you got a
good daytime habit...
That's okay.
A very good habit.
Right around the corner
from the Mayor's office
is a little coffee shop,
he goes there every morning...
takes a breather
from the office.
Every morning?
Seems to be.
Sounds good.
I'll check for a few days.
Work up a time sheet.
That's best.
How about the limousine?
Whenever you want it.
Holy mackerel.
Look what time it's got to be.
They close at 9:00.
That dry cleaning
joint over here.
I ain't made my collection
there yet this week.
Well, go get it!
Dope!
See you later.
What's the matter with him?
All the time behind
with his collections.
I don't know.
I think he's got girl trouble.
All right.
Where were we?
(knocks at door)
Sorry, we're closed.
Hello, baby, it's me.
I'm afraid I can't
let you in right now.
If you're closed,
that's even better.
This is just a social call.
Mr. Ryan, I've told you before
that there's no use here.
Baby, you ought
to be nice to me.
I collect a lot of
money around here.
People all the way
up and down the street
are paying me good
money to be protected.
Now have I ever
mentioned money to you?
No... please go.
That's because we could
work out a little arrangement.
Something personal,
you know? No, I won't!
In the first place, I'm
a married woman...
Yeah...
and your husband
keeps going away on trips.
I don't buy that, baby.
Why don't he come back?
TOM: He came back, Mister.
I'm the missing husband.
You satisfied?
Good night,
Mister, we're closed.
You don't say?
Yeah. Come on, out.
Let's go. Don't come back.
Mighty high and mighty
for a pants presser.
Beat it.
Make me.
(glass shattering)
(gagging)
♪ ♪
You'll see me again, buddy.
WINCHELL: Jake "Dodo"
Ryan, a hoodlum, a bully,
had taken a
well-deserved licking.
An incident,
seemingly unrelated,
which was to have a
profound bearing on a matter
which meant life or death
to the mayor of Chicago.
After learning the
details of a meeting
between Cermak and
Peterson, Eliot Ness assigned
Untouchables William
Youngfellow and Jack Rossman
to guard the mayor.
(chuckles): 'Morning.
And how are we today?
Oh, couldn't be better.
(chuckles)
I'm expecting a
friend for breakfast.
Can, uh, Hans and Fritz...
My two Katzenjammer
Kids... Have this table, maybe?
Why, surely!
You sit right down.
Sit right down.
I'll be right with you.
Thank you.
Coffee? That's fine, thank you.
ROSSMAN: Me, too, and
one of those cakes, please.
SWOBODA: Ah, coffee
and cake, right away.
(classical music playing)
(door opens)
Mr. Ness.
Your Honor.
Sit down, please.
How's he been treating you?
Can't complain.
He's tried to lose
us a couple of times.
But we're sticking close.
Sticking close?
Like a couple of court
plasters, that's how close.
I have now absolutely
no privacy at all.
Well, you wanted to
be a public servant.
(chuckles)
This is very pleasant.
Yes, isn't it?
I come here every day.
Well, what will you have?
You like cake?
I don't know... I had breakfast
a couple of hours ago.
So did I, but fellows like
us burn up lots of energy.
You have to restoke the
furnace once in a while.
Oh.
Kavu a kolac for
my friend, Mr. Ness.
This is Mrs. Swoboda.
How do you do? How do you do?
Fine.
How goes the World's Fair?
Oh, pardon me.
The Century of
Progress Exposition.
Great.
Everything's working fine.
I was going to ask you,
have you heard any more
about that Boston lawyer?
No.
Not a word.
Neither did I.
And things seem quiet
with the Nitti bunch.
Yes.
You think too quiet?
Could be.
Oh, here we are.
Oh, that looks fine.
(chuckles)
I'm going to gain
another five pounds.
(laughing)
Kids will kill me.
(laughing)
Do you have children, Mr. Ness?
Yes, one... a boy.
A boy.
Oh, that's wonderful.
You know how long I was married?
34 years.
I got a daughter as old as you.
That'd be quite a trick; I'm 35.
(chuckles)
Was your wife from Bohemia?
No, from here.
Met her when I was
working at the coal mines.
Next time I saw her
was in a restaurant.
She didn't recognize
me; my face was clean.
Before, I looked like
Al Jolson or somebody.
(both chuckle)
Well, you've come a long
way since then, Your Honor.
That's the kind
of a country this is.
Fella can do it if he's willing
to keep plugging away.
I wouldn't want your job.
I wouldn't want it either,
if it hadn't happened
to work out.
It's tough.
But, like, we have an
old Bohemian saying:
"To a tough steak
comes a sharp knife."
We should be getting
back, Your Honor.
Me, too.
Mrs. Swoboda?
Yes?
On my bill, please. Sure.
It was wonderful; I'll be back.
Thank you, I'm glad.
Oh, thank you.
See you tomorrow, Mrs. Swoboda.
Your table will be here
like always, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you.
I'm a politician.
You can accuse
me of a lot of things,
but I've never yet gotten
votes by kissing babies.
Thanks again, Your Honor.
See you soon.
Well, boys, take good
care of the Mayor.
♪ ♪
Who's that for?
Some friends of mine.
Oh, the dry cleaning shop.
The one that gave you
trouble the other night, huh?
They're the friends.
What is it?
Nitro?
No, some new stuff.
It's a lot better than nitro.
(knock at door)
Get that for me,
will you, Frank?
It's them.
I think we're all set.
For when?
Tomorrow morning.
No kidding.
That's right.
It's all here.
Monday, he arrives
9:38, he leaves 10:05.
Tuesday, he gets
there 9:44, leaves 10:14.
Today, 9:39.
Came out of the
coffee shop at 10:10.
Notice the pattern?
Never gets there before 9:30.
Never leaves until after 10:00.
Stays an average of 20 minutes.
Stays an average of
22 minutes, 17 seconds.
Never gets there before 9:38,
never leaves before 10:05.
Genius.
So what's the
perfect time for us?
9:50 9:50.
(chuckles)
At 9:50, there's gonna be a
big noise on Novotny Street.
There's gonna be a big
noise on South Street, too.
9:50.
Finito to that Bulgarian.
Nice work, boys.
Let's break out the
drinks and celebrate.
Now you're talking.
WINCHELL: At 9:12 on the morning
planned for the murder of Mayor Cermak,
Eliot Ness and Allison
of the Untouchables
paid a visit to the Elite
Dry Cleaning Shop.
Good morning.
I'm Eliot Ness.
Oh.
This is Mr. Allison.
How do you do?
We had a report that
you had some trouble
with a man who works
for a protective syndicate.
Yes. Well, I think you'd better
talk to my husband
Tom about that.
Tom?
Would you talk to
these gentlemen
about the man you
had the fight with?
You bet I will.
This is my husband Tom Jansen.
How do you do?
Have you been paying
protection money, Mr. Jansen?
No. That's the trouble.
This big mug is
sweet on my wife.
I didn't know about it.
I've been away back East.
So she tried to handle him,
keeping a respectable distance.
Well, the other
night, he comes in,
and unfortunately
for him, I'm here.
I just came back.
So, we had a big fight,
and I threw him out.
Can you describe him?
Oh, easy.
He was a big guy,
had a droopy left eye.
Looked like a
fighter or something.
Jake "Dodo" Ryan.
All right, I'll give the officer
on the beat Ryan's description,
and we'll keep a
general watch out.
Thanks. You bet.
So long.
Don't worry, honey,
everything's gonna be all right.
(sets parking brake)
Wait for me.
Okay.
How about that?
Pretty good catch,
huh? One hand.
Give me back my ball!
Sure, kid, here.
Hey, kid, want to
make a quarter?
A quarter?
Sure. See?
Now, all you got
to do... Come here.
You see that pants
pressing joint over there?
The Elite? Sure.
Okay. You take these pants over,
tell them your old man
wants them hot pressed
by machine in a hurry.
That's all?
And I get a quarter?
Well, I like you, kid.
Hot pressed by
machine in a hurry, right?
I'll wait for you here.
You know what?
Because I like you,
when you come back,
I'll give you another quarter.
Gee.
Okay, on your way.
Watch yourself in the traffic.
I've seen him around,
now that you mention it.
Uh, great big guy
with a droopy lid.
Looks like a
fighter. That's him.
Hello, Mrs. Jansen.
Well, hello, Albert,
how are you?
Swell.
Is Mr. Jansen in the back?
I got these for him. Well, yes.
Go ahead back, honey.
How's your mother?
Swell.
Hi, Mr. Jansen.
Oh, hi, Albert.
My old man wants you
to steam press these
for him in a hurry.
(clicks tongue)
Your old man, Albert?
Is that a nice way to
talk about your dad?
Put them here.
(ball bouncing)
So he wants a fast press, huh?
Well, we aim to please.
(bouncing continues)
Albert, take this out to
Mrs. Jansen, will you?
Sure.
Hold it up high
so it don't get dirty.
Oh, thank you.
What did you get for
your birthday, Albert?
A chemical set and a submarine.
Uh-huh.
Oh, listen, if you're
going to bounce the ball,
why don't you go
out in front and wait?
Okay.
Hey, mister, are we going
to wait around here all day?
Just a couple of
minutes more, buddy.
Hey, ain't that the guy?
Come on, get going.
Get me out of here.
All right, I'm stalled.
Get it started! It's stalled!
Grab him.
Hey!
Hold it!
Drop it!
All right, all
right, don't shoot.
You're a dead man, Ryan.
Come out here.
Okay, okay, what's the
matter with you guys?
I didn't do nothing.
(yells)
Let's go.
(crowd murmuring)
(woman crying)
MAN: Here!
Here he comes.
Yeah, there he is.
There's the guy that did it.
They got him.
That's him.
I don't know this kid.
I never seen him
before in my life.
Get him off me!
It's first degree, Ryan.
Murder in the first degree.
You'll get the
chair. No, you can't.
A deal, let's make a
deal. Take him downtown!
No bail, no nothing!
I'll sign it. No, a deal.
Look, you don't know
what's going to happen.
You don't know about Cermak.
Rico, bring the car
around, will you?
What's going to happen?
Is it a deal?
You do right by me and
I'll tip you... straight stuff.
They're going to kill
the mayor, I swear.
Okay, it's a deal.
When? Where?
Any minute.
Wh-What time is it?
9:30.
20 minutes.
Machine gun from a limousine.
9:50, I swear it.
Where?
I don't know the
name of the place.
He has coffee
there every morning.
Swoboda's.
Take him downtown.
Hey, wh-what happens to me?
Just like I said.
You go up for
murder, first degree.
No, you made a deal.
Did I?
You lousy, stinking cop.
It's a double-cross.
It's a stinking double-cross!
That's what it is.
How does it feel?
♪ ♪
What's the time?
Three minutes.
How fast do you
want to be going?
A pretty good clip.
Okay, I'll take it
around the block once,
get up a little speed.
Yeah, good.
Well, Katzenjammers,
same as always?
The same.
We're a little late this
morning, aren't we?
No, just about the
same time as always.
Next block.
Now, here's what we do.
You slow up in front
and I'll run across.
You guys back up
and block the street.
The coffee shop's
on the downtown side,
so that's the
side they'll be on.
Clear the streets!
Get out of here!
This is police business!
(tires screeching)
On the floor, everybody
on the floor, quick!
What's wrong with
those crazy idiots?
The guy with the baby carriage!
CERMAK: Nobody got hurt?
I guess it's all over.
I have no words to
say... We were lucky.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Swoboda.
We'll fix this all up for you.
Maybe I'd better
not come back again.
Oh... it's all right.
Nobody left to talk?
Nobody.
WINCHELL: The
first attempt on the life
of the mayor of
Chicago had failed,
but there would
be another attempt.
More hired assassins would
be put to work on the project,
which by now had become the
obsession of the Capone gang.
And in Miami, Florida,
to an unhired assassin
with an obsession for
the death of another man
came momentous news.
♪ ♪
In a Miami pawnshop, Joe
Zangara, for eight dollars,
bought a revolver
and ten bullets.
A 32-year-old bricklayer
turned derelict had become
the principal actor in a
drama whose final scene
would be witnessed by an
audience of 10,000 people.
ANNOUNCER: The Untouchables.
Clear the streets!
Get out of here!
This is police business!
On the floor! Everybody
on the floor, quick!
ANNOUNCER: Tonight's episode...
Part One of "The Unhired Assassin."
Starring Robert
Stack as Eliot Ness.
Costarring Bruce
Gordon, Joe Mantell
and Claude Akins.
With Special Guest
Star Robert Middleton.
WALTER WINCHELL:
November 9, 1932.
At 15 minutes past midnight,
Eastern Standard Time,
the Associated
Press from Palo Alto
reported this
three word flash...
"Hoover concedes defeat!"
Three years of depression
had thrust Herbert Hoover
and the Republicans from
control of the government,
and elected New York governor,
Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
President of the United States.
The Volstead Act was doomed.
Repeal of the Eighteenth
Amendment, Prohibition,
was inevitable.
Let's celebrate.
WINCHELL: At 2:15
a.m. Chicago time,
the Untouchables, led
by their chief, Eliot Ness,
celebrated the beginning
of the end of prohibition
by destroying the
last of the breweries
operated by Al
Capone and company.
(gunfire)
(groans)
Wonder if it will sell
for a nickel a glass
when it comes back.
Yeah, I imagine.
Happy days are here again!
Say, are we going
to be out of work?
Not us. Things are
going to get a lot worse
before they get better.
I know what you mean.
Frank Nitti and his boys are
going to put on the pressure
getting rid of
their bootleg stock.
That's part of it.
After that, they'll start
some brand-new operations.
Nitti isn't going to quit
the rackets, that's for sure.
So, they'll start muscling in
on legitimate businesses.
And this'll be
target number one.
I got a meeting in
the mayor's office
in the morning about it.
He wants to get
the town cleaned up
before everybody in the world
comes visiting next spring.
And you think
we'll be out of work?
WINCHELL: 9:00
a.m., Miami, Florida.
The same morning,
the same big news.
The front pages of
newspapers are always devoted
to important people
and spectacular events.
On this morning of
November 9, 1932,
there was certainly nothing
newsworthy about a small man
who wandered aimlessly
down a Miami street.
Giuseppe Zangara was an emigrant
from the south of Europe.
He had come to Miami
from Patterson, New Jersey,
where he didn't like it,
because he didn't feel
good in cold weather.
It hadn't helped much,
because Joe Zangara never
really felt good anyplace.
He had gone to a hospital
once to try and find some relief
from the pains which
constantly tortured his insides.
The doctors said they could
find nothing wrong with him.
Had his doctors
pursued their analysis,
it would have become evident
that Joe Zangara had
pronounced homicidal tendencies.
Hey, read all about it!
Get your extra here!
Paper! Paper!
Read about your
new president here!
Paper!
Thank you, ma'am.
Hey, you got a new president...!
Hey, hey, hey, what that mean?
What that mean?
It means just what it says.
Hoover's out, Roosevelt's in.
We got a new president.
Hey, extra here! Extra!
I don't got to kill Hoover?
No. No, you don't
got to kill Hoover.
(laughs)
Democrats did it for you.
Hey, get your paper here!
Thank you, ma'am.
Hey, paper! Extra here!
It's Roosevelt.
It's now Roosevelt.
Do me a favor. Don't
kill him, will you?
At least not until we find out
what he's going to do to us.
He'd do the same.
They all do the same.
It makes no difference.
Bosses, kings,
presidents, is all the same!
Big people is all the
same! It's big money!
Yeah, yeah, sure.
Hey, paper here! Get your paper!
He's in Washington,
this Roosevelt?
No, no he ain't in Washington.
He's home with his family,
and this morning,
they're all celebrating
by taking baths in
champagne and big money.
Hey, paper! Come
on, get your paper here!
Uh, where he live,
Roosevelt, where he live?!
How do I know where he lives?
For two cents, you
can find out right here.
Paper here!
Yes, ma'am. Thank you.
Hey, get your
paper here! Paper...!
Two cents is...
Here... here's one
cent, two cents.
(scoffs)
Big money.
Hey, paper here,
get your paper...!
Yes, sir. Read all about it!
You got a new president here!
Hey, paper!
WINCHELL: Nothing newsworthy
about little Joe Zangara
on this November morning.
But before the
passing of many weeks,
this man's name and likeness
would be on the front pages
under screaming headlines.
And the word that would
identify his photograph
would be "assassin."
Chicago, the same morning
of November 10, 1932.
Along the lake front,
a great project was
under construction...
The Chicago World's Fair,
to be known as the "Century
of Progress Exposition."
In city hall,
the latest developments
regarding the exposition
were being reported by
Chicago's chief executive.
At 9:00 a.m. on
November 10, 1932,
the mayor of Chicago,
Anton J. Cermak,
held his weekly
press conference.
And that 75 million people
will visit the Chicago
Century of Progress.
In other words,
do you know how much money
will come into this city next year?
One billion dollars!
Pretty impressive,
huh, Mr. Ness?
Very impressive, Your Honor.
And that brings us
to something else.
When you've got big money,
you've got big problems, right?
Mr. Ness is the man
mostly responsible for the
fact that Al Capone is in prison.
And he and his
organization have continued
to wipe out rat's
nests all over the city.
Maybe Mr. Ness will tell you
about the big job he's
got coming up now.
Well, there can't be much
doubt that the Century of Progress
and all this money
that's coming in
represents a
real, big juicy thing
to the gangster elements.
It couldn't come at a
better time for them.
Repeal's on the way.
The days of bootleg and
gin mills are numbered.
So the job His
Honor's talking about is
to get Chicago cleaned
up and free of rackets
before these millions
of people get here.
So they'll see us as the
kind of town we used to be
before these 13
years of Prohibition.
Think it can be done, Mr. Mayor?
It's got to be done!
Capone is out of the way.
The big rat is in the cage,
and now the smaller rats...
The puppet rats
that used to jump
when Capone pulled the
strings... They will be exterminated!
Hold it, Mr. Mayor! Grab that.
WINCHELL: The next day,
in the old Capone office
over the Montmartre Cafe,
a meeting was being
held by the "puppet rats"
referred to by the
Mayor of Chicago.
Louis "Little New
York" Campagna...
Assigned to organize protective
rackets at the World's Fair.
Frank Diamond, specializing
in prostitution management.
Protégé and devoted
disciple of Al Capone,
one of the original
Capone gunmen.
Jake "Dodo" Ryan... hoodlum,
untalented but obedient.
Bill Skidmore... businessman,
promoter, a consulting
expert at emergency sessions.
And Frank Nitti...
Known as "The Enforcer".
Al Capone's hatchet man,
holding sway over
the organization
while number one was in Atlanta
as a guest of the government.
A fat, stinking
Bulgarian coal miner!
Bohemian.
Shut up! Don't
give me corrections!
I want to know something, I ask.
Now, shut up, and
let me think what to do.
Frank, cut it out and sit down.
You're going to give
yourself a headache.
Nobody wants to
know my solution?
Anytime a man
gives you a problem,
you have one
invariable solution.
Bump him off.
That's right, bump him off.
What's wrong with my idea?
Frank, you can't trust
your friends anymore
like you used to.
You plan something big
like bumping off the Mayor,
it's bound to get around,
and the first thing you
know, somebody sings.
Yeah, too many guys
need to cop a plea today.
You know what I mean?
SKIDMORE: Then they'll
really have something on us.
Then what'll happen?
The blue bellies will come up
and close this shop for good,
and we'll all have to go
down and live with Al Capone.
Frank, will you please
listen to my advice, now?
All right, I'm listening.
What is this... advice?
Out-of-town talent.
I got a man coming...
Should be here any minute...
From Boston.
A gun? Huh?
A gun? A lawyer.
Top man. Ira Peterson.
Very smart.
Handled some things
for our people back East.
Well, why do we need a lawyer?
To make a deal.
We form a dummy
corporation, include Cermak in.
He doesn't know it's us.
The whole thing is
handled from Boston.
Offer him a chance to make
a couple of hundred grand.
Sign him up, then
he's got to cooperate.
I have a feeling
this might work.
Well, I haven't!
I got a feeling Cermak
isn't going to get shut up
except by something that
talks louder than he does.
Like one of these.
Also from out of town.
If we need artillery,
we import it.
(knock at door)
Good morning, gentlemen.
I'm Mr. Peterson.
I understand we have problems.
But perhaps, as
President Coolidge said,
"Our most important problem
is not to secure new advantages,
but rather to maintain
those we already possess."
(snickering)
(laughing)
(laughing)
(laughter continues)
(laughter stops)
Well, gentlemen, time is money.
Shall we begin?
WINCHELL: On the night
of December 14, 1932,
in the library of Mayor
Anton Cermak's home,
lawyer Ira Peterson
had his meeting.
Your Honor, I represent
certain Boston clients,
whose names at present, I
am not at liberty to divulge.
Now, these gentlemen
are interested
in forming a syndicate
to manage and
direct the World's Fair
here in Chicago,
assuming, of course,
all responsibilities for
franchises, taxes, etcetera,
etcetera, etcetera.
Now, this syndicate
would operate
under Your Honor's
direct personal guidance,
since it would be
invaluable to have the benefit
of your great experience
in administration.
Go on, Mr. Peterson.
Well, sir, as
evidence of good faith,
we are empowered to make
a substantial down payment
to any account, or any bank,
that you care to designate.
What do you think
so far, Your Honor?
You really want to know?
Well, yes, yes, of course.
I think it's a big, fat bribe!
A scheme to muscle in
on legitimate business
and to get the Mayor of
Chicago in a trap at the same time.
I'd be an idiot to listen.
A proposition like this coming
from unknown clients.
Really, sir, I told
you I'm not at liberty
to divulge the names...
Well, I am at liberty
to divulge the names!
They are Nitti, Skidmore,
Capone and Company.
And they don't
operate in Boston;
they hang out right
here in Chicago...
Over a small building
on South Street.
We keep pretty close tabs
on that building, Mr. Peterson.
You were seen going
in and coming out
some weeks ago.
What buildings I go in and
out of are my own affair!
Now, is it bothering
you the fact
of accepting our proposal
while you're still in office...
You think I should resign
and accept your proposition
as a private citizen?
Yes.
It would certainly remunerate
you far more handsomely.
You're, uh... you're 60.
You could take it easy.
Mm-hmm.
Now, this I find
very interesting.
I thought you might.
Yes.
But what reason would
I give for resigning?
Ill health.
Perfectly logical.
There's precedent.
Yes, very interesting.
You know why?
Because it would mean
that when I got out of the way,
you fellows would
have to be very sure
that who ever
followed me in as Mayor
would be one of your people.
Or someone that you could buy.
So, to save the city from
that, I think I just won't resign.
Mister Mayor...
I have before me a list
of what a dully authorized
investigatorial committee
might recognize
as misuses of power
on the part of
a public official.
Now, these fact's
cover your actions
as a precinct captain...
your manipulations
of the Twelfth Ward,
and oh, yes,
your organized racial block
called the United Societies.
Now, we can produce
witnesses who...
You're wasting your
time, Boston lawyer.
These things you
dug up about me,
they printed that
stuff in books.
You can buy it in a bookstore.
A politician does many things,
but I can tell you this:
I've never been in jail.
And that's more than you can
say for your client, Frank Nitti.
No deal, Mr. Peterson.
Tell Nitti to go fly a kite!
Is that your final word?
No.
Good night!
Yes.
By the way,
I ran into some
interesting facts
during my research in Chicago.
Apparently, it's unlucky
to be mayor of this city
during a world's fair.
Did you know that the
last world's fair mayor
of Chicago was assassinated?
All right.
You asked for it,
now you're going to get it.
You're going to be
served with a summons
to appear and answer charges!
Charges of attempted bribery,
blackmail, etcetera, etcetera.
And threatening
the mayor's life.
And when you talk,
Nitti and Company
will be sent up.
And that's a promise!
And that seemed to draw blood.
He became very, very angry.
Said he was going to serve me
with the avowed intention
of preferring charges.
What charges?
Mm... attempted
bribery, suborning,
conveying the connotation
of a threat to his life.
But he, obviously,
won't go through with it.
You don't know that Bulgarian.
Suppose, just suppose,
he did serve this
subpoena, whatever it is...
what would happen?
Mm, I'd have to
appear and testify, but...
Tell the names of the
people who hired you?
Well, if you carry
it that far, yes...
I suppose a committee could,
under the pain of contempt
of court, force answers to...
And we would go to jail?
How big a rap?
Oh, come now, Mr. Nitti,
let's not carry this to
ridiculous extremes
of conjecture.
I tell you what we
do, Mr. Peterson.
Let's play safe, huh?
I think we'll get
you out of town.
You're probably right,
he won't serve the papers.
But just in case, you know?
Yeah, that's best, Mr. Peterson,
if you ain't around,
he can't serve
you with anything.
There's a plane out
of here in an hour.
A couple of the
boys will drive you
to the airport.
Who's got a car?
I got mine downstairs.
Hey, Louie, want to go along?
Sure, I'll go along.
Well, I don't suppose
there is any more
I can do here at present.
I want to get home
for Christmas anyway.
Still have some shopping to do.
Sure. We all let it
go to the last minute.
We'll be in touch.
Well, good-bye, Mr. Peterson.
Have a good trip.
What's the matter, Louis?
Feels like we got a flat tire.
Gee, I hope not.
Let's take a look.
Everything all right?
Front ones are all right.
You mind stepping outside,
and giving us a hand?
Mr. Peterson, I
think we got a flat tire
in the rear.
I'm afraid I wouldn't
be of much help.
Now!
Come on, get out!
Take your hands off me!
What, what do you
think you're doing?
You out of your mind? Ow!
(blow landing)
♪ ♪
Wonder how long it'll take
him to get back to Boston.
Could take years.
He'll never make
it for Christmas.
(laughs)
ANNOUNCER: And now
back to The Untouchables.
MOVIE ANNOUNCER:
Herr Hitler is saying:
"I have advanced
with my shock troops
and have placed myself at
the head of the government
to lead the German
people to liberty."
And so, Adolf Hitler
accepts the chancellorship,
although on less sweeping
terms than he had hoped for.
The composition of
the new German cabinet
leaves Herr Hitler no
scope for gratification
of any dictatorial ambition.
Happy birthday to
the president-elect.
Franklin Delano
Roosevelt is 51 years old.
The president-elect cuts
an eight-pound birthday cake
in the presence of
patients and staff members
of The Warm Springs
Georgia Foundation.
WINCHELL: In Miami, Joe Zangara's
savings had dwindled to $43...
All he had in the world.
He was living in the attic
room of a boarding house,
for which he paid
two dollars a week.
And he had found a restaurant
where he could eat
for 15 cents a day.
Joe Zangara had once
been a good workman.
He earned good money,
but nothing was
left of his will to work.
Nothing was inside him but
a constant, aching torment.
A misery which, he
believed in his twisted soul,
could be relieved
only by the death
of the leader of the nation.
In Chicago...
A group of assassins to
whom money was no object
in accomplishing the murder
of the man they had
marked for death.
Good evening.
Early in February, 1933,
two out-of-town gentlemen
arrived at the Capone office
for a conference.
These expensive experts
were known front face and profile
to the police of Detroit
and the North Central states as:
Milwaukee Minelli...
and Roley Sutton.
All right, let's get
down to business.
You know who we've got in mind?
This guy... Cermak.
NITTI: That's right.
That's pretty big stuff.
I never did one that big.
That's why you're
getting big money.
Sure.
That's always good.
We got some news,
ought to make things
a lot easier for you.
We did some research...
finding out what he does...
like his habits, you know?
Any objection to daytime?
Don't make much difference.
Night time's better,
but... you got a
good daytime habit...
That's okay.
A very good habit.
Right around the corner
from the Mayor's office
is a little coffee shop,
he goes there every morning...
takes a breather
from the office.
Every morning?
Seems to be.
Sounds good.
I'll check for a few days.
Work up a time sheet.
That's best.
How about the limousine?
Whenever you want it.
Holy mackerel.
Look what time it's got to be.
They close at 9:00.
That dry cleaning
joint over here.
I ain't made my collection
there yet this week.
Well, go get it!
Dope!
See you later.
What's the matter with him?
All the time behind
with his collections.
I don't know.
I think he's got girl trouble.
All right.
Where were we?
(knocks at door)
Sorry, we're closed.
Hello, baby, it's me.
I'm afraid I can't
let you in right now.
If you're closed,
that's even better.
This is just a social call.
Mr. Ryan, I've told you before
that there's no use here.
Baby, you ought
to be nice to me.
I collect a lot of
money around here.
People all the way
up and down the street
are paying me good
money to be protected.
Now have I ever
mentioned money to you?
No... please go.
That's because we could
work out a little arrangement.
Something personal,
you know? No, I won't!
In the first place, I'm
a married woman...
Yeah...
and your husband
keeps going away on trips.
I don't buy that, baby.
Why don't he come back?
TOM: He came back, Mister.
I'm the missing husband.
You satisfied?
Good night,
Mister, we're closed.
You don't say?
Yeah. Come on, out.
Let's go. Don't come back.
Mighty high and mighty
for a pants presser.
Beat it.
Make me.
(glass shattering)
(gagging)
♪ ♪
You'll see me again, buddy.
WINCHELL: Jake "Dodo"
Ryan, a hoodlum, a bully,
had taken a
well-deserved licking.
An incident,
seemingly unrelated,
which was to have a
profound bearing on a matter
which meant life or death
to the mayor of Chicago.
After learning the
details of a meeting
between Cermak and
Peterson, Eliot Ness assigned
Untouchables William
Youngfellow and Jack Rossman
to guard the mayor.
(chuckles): 'Morning.
And how are we today?
Oh, couldn't be better.
(chuckles)
I'm expecting a
friend for breakfast.
Can, uh, Hans and Fritz...
My two Katzenjammer
Kids... Have this table, maybe?
Why, surely!
You sit right down.
Sit right down.
I'll be right with you.
Thank you.
Coffee? That's fine, thank you.
ROSSMAN: Me, too, and
one of those cakes, please.
SWOBODA: Ah, coffee
and cake, right away.
(classical music playing)
(door opens)
Mr. Ness.
Your Honor.
Sit down, please.
How's he been treating you?
Can't complain.
He's tried to lose
us a couple of times.
But we're sticking close.
Sticking close?
Like a couple of court
plasters, that's how close.
I have now absolutely
no privacy at all.
Well, you wanted to
be a public servant.
(chuckles)
This is very pleasant.
Yes, isn't it?
I come here every day.
Well, what will you have?
You like cake?
I don't know... I had breakfast
a couple of hours ago.
So did I, but fellows like
us burn up lots of energy.
You have to restoke the
furnace once in a while.
Oh.
Kavu a kolac for
my friend, Mr. Ness.
This is Mrs. Swoboda.
How do you do? How do you do?
Fine.
How goes the World's Fair?
Oh, pardon me.
The Century of
Progress Exposition.
Great.
Everything's working fine.
I was going to ask you,
have you heard any more
about that Boston lawyer?
No.
Not a word.
Neither did I.
And things seem quiet
with the Nitti bunch.
Yes.
You think too quiet?
Could be.
Oh, here we are.
Oh, that looks fine.
(chuckles)
I'm going to gain
another five pounds.
(laughing)
Kids will kill me.
(laughing)
Do you have children, Mr. Ness?
Yes, one... a boy.
A boy.
Oh, that's wonderful.
You know how long I was married?
34 years.
I got a daughter as old as you.
That'd be quite a trick; I'm 35.
(chuckles)
Was your wife from Bohemia?
No, from here.
Met her when I was
working at the coal mines.
Next time I saw her
was in a restaurant.
She didn't recognize
me; my face was clean.
Before, I looked like
Al Jolson or somebody.
(both chuckle)
Well, you've come a long
way since then, Your Honor.
That's the kind
of a country this is.
Fella can do it if he's willing
to keep plugging away.
I wouldn't want your job.
I wouldn't want it either,
if it hadn't happened
to work out.
It's tough.
But, like, we have an
old Bohemian saying:
"To a tough steak
comes a sharp knife."
We should be getting
back, Your Honor.
Me, too.
Mrs. Swoboda?
Yes?
On my bill, please. Sure.
It was wonderful; I'll be back.
Thank you, I'm glad.
Oh, thank you.
See you tomorrow, Mrs. Swoboda.
Your table will be here
like always, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you.
I'm a politician.
You can accuse
me of a lot of things,
but I've never yet gotten
votes by kissing babies.
Thanks again, Your Honor.
See you soon.
Well, boys, take good
care of the Mayor.
♪ ♪
Who's that for?
Some friends of mine.
Oh, the dry cleaning shop.
The one that gave you
trouble the other night, huh?
They're the friends.
What is it?
Nitro?
No, some new stuff.
It's a lot better than nitro.
(knock at door)
Get that for me,
will you, Frank?
It's them.
I think we're all set.
For when?
Tomorrow morning.
No kidding.
That's right.
It's all here.
Monday, he arrives
9:38, he leaves 10:05.
Tuesday, he gets
there 9:44, leaves 10:14.
Today, 9:39.
Came out of the
coffee shop at 10:10.
Notice the pattern?
Never gets there before 9:30.
Never leaves until after 10:00.
Stays an average of 20 minutes.
Stays an average of
22 minutes, 17 seconds.
Never gets there before 9:38,
never leaves before 10:05.
Genius.
So what's the
perfect time for us?
9:50 9:50.
(chuckles)
At 9:50, there's gonna be a
big noise on Novotny Street.
There's gonna be a big
noise on South Street, too.
9:50.
Finito to that Bulgarian.
Nice work, boys.
Let's break out the
drinks and celebrate.
Now you're talking.
WINCHELL: At 9:12 on the morning
planned for the murder of Mayor Cermak,
Eliot Ness and Allison
of the Untouchables
paid a visit to the Elite
Dry Cleaning Shop.
Good morning.
I'm Eliot Ness.
Oh.
This is Mr. Allison.
How do you do?
We had a report that
you had some trouble
with a man who works
for a protective syndicate.
Yes. Well, I think you'd better
talk to my husband
Tom about that.
Tom?
Would you talk to
these gentlemen
about the man you
had the fight with?
You bet I will.
This is my husband Tom Jansen.
How do you do?
Have you been paying
protection money, Mr. Jansen?
No. That's the trouble.
This big mug is
sweet on my wife.
I didn't know about it.
I've been away back East.
So she tried to handle him,
keeping a respectable distance.
Well, the other
night, he comes in,
and unfortunately
for him, I'm here.
I just came back.
So, we had a big fight,
and I threw him out.
Can you describe him?
Oh, easy.
He was a big guy,
had a droopy left eye.
Looked like a
fighter or something.
Jake "Dodo" Ryan.
All right, I'll give the officer
on the beat Ryan's description,
and we'll keep a
general watch out.
Thanks. You bet.
So long.
Don't worry, honey,
everything's gonna be all right.
(sets parking brake)
Wait for me.
Okay.
How about that?
Pretty good catch,
huh? One hand.
Give me back my ball!
Sure, kid, here.
Hey, kid, want to
make a quarter?
A quarter?
Sure. See?
Now, all you got
to do... Come here.
You see that pants
pressing joint over there?
The Elite? Sure.
Okay. You take these pants over,
tell them your old man
wants them hot pressed
by machine in a hurry.
That's all?
And I get a quarter?
Well, I like you, kid.
Hot pressed by
machine in a hurry, right?
I'll wait for you here.
You know what?
Because I like you,
when you come back,
I'll give you another quarter.
Gee.
Okay, on your way.
Watch yourself in the traffic.
I've seen him around,
now that you mention it.
Uh, great big guy
with a droopy lid.
Looks like a
fighter. That's him.
Hello, Mrs. Jansen.
Well, hello, Albert,
how are you?
Swell.
Is Mr. Jansen in the back?
I got these for him. Well, yes.
Go ahead back, honey.
How's your mother?
Swell.
Hi, Mr. Jansen.
Oh, hi, Albert.
My old man wants you
to steam press these
for him in a hurry.
(clicks tongue)
Your old man, Albert?
Is that a nice way to
talk about your dad?
Put them here.
(ball bouncing)
So he wants a fast press, huh?
Well, we aim to please.
(bouncing continues)
Albert, take this out to
Mrs. Jansen, will you?
Sure.
Hold it up high
so it don't get dirty.
Oh, thank you.
What did you get for
your birthday, Albert?
A chemical set and a submarine.
Uh-huh.
Oh, listen, if you're
going to bounce the ball,
why don't you go
out in front and wait?
Okay.
Hey, mister, are we going
to wait around here all day?
Just a couple of
minutes more, buddy.
Hey, ain't that the guy?
Come on, get going.
Get me out of here.
All right, I'm stalled.
Get it started! It's stalled!
Grab him.
Hey!
Hold it!
Drop it!
All right, all
right, don't shoot.
You're a dead man, Ryan.
Come out here.
Okay, okay, what's the
matter with you guys?
I didn't do nothing.
(yells)
Let's go.
(crowd murmuring)
(woman crying)
MAN: Here!
Here he comes.
Yeah, there he is.
There's the guy that did it.
They got him.
That's him.
I don't know this kid.
I never seen him
before in my life.
Get him off me!
It's first degree, Ryan.
Murder in the first degree.
You'll get the
chair. No, you can't.
A deal, let's make a
deal. Take him downtown!
No bail, no nothing!
I'll sign it. No, a deal.
Look, you don't know
what's going to happen.
You don't know about Cermak.
Rico, bring the car
around, will you?
What's going to happen?
Is it a deal?
You do right by me and
I'll tip you... straight stuff.
They're going to kill
the mayor, I swear.
Okay, it's a deal.
When? Where?
Any minute.
Wh-What time is it?
9:30.
20 minutes.
Machine gun from a limousine.
9:50, I swear it.
Where?
I don't know the
name of the place.
He has coffee
there every morning.
Swoboda's.
Take him downtown.
Hey, wh-what happens to me?
Just like I said.
You go up for
murder, first degree.
No, you made a deal.
Did I?
You lousy, stinking cop.
It's a double-cross.
It's a stinking double-cross!
That's what it is.
How does it feel?
♪ ♪
What's the time?
Three minutes.
How fast do you
want to be going?
A pretty good clip.
Okay, I'll take it
around the block once,
get up a little speed.
Yeah, good.
Well, Katzenjammers,
same as always?
The same.
We're a little late this
morning, aren't we?
No, just about the
same time as always.
Next block.
Now, here's what we do.
You slow up in front
and I'll run across.
You guys back up
and block the street.
The coffee shop's
on the downtown side,
so that's the
side they'll be on.
Clear the streets!
Get out of here!
This is police business!
(tires screeching)
On the floor, everybody
on the floor, quick!
What's wrong with
those crazy idiots?
The guy with the baby carriage!
CERMAK: Nobody got hurt?
I guess it's all over.
I have no words to
say... We were lucky.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Swoboda.
We'll fix this all up for you.
Maybe I'd better
not come back again.
Oh... it's all right.
Nobody left to talk?
Nobody.
WINCHELL: The
first attempt on the life
of the mayor of
Chicago had failed,
but there would
be another attempt.
More hired assassins would
be put to work on the project,
which by now had become the
obsession of the Capone gang.
And in Miami, Florida,
to an unhired assassin
with an obsession for
the death of another man
came momentous news.
♪ ♪
In a Miami pawnshop, Joe
Zangara, for eight dollars,
bought a revolver
and ten bullets.
A 32-year-old bricklayer
turned derelict had become
the principal actor in a
drama whose final scene
would be witnessed by an
audience of 10,000 people.
ANNOUNCER: The Untouchables.