Murder Ink (1)

March 2, 1932. Gangster Joe Carroll, sidekick of George "Bugs" Moran, kidnaps 9-year-old Larry Halloran, Jr.-- the son of Lawrence Halloran, president of the United Trucker's Union. It just so happens that at this very moment, Ness and his Untouchables are trying to nail Bugs Moran-- who is now the top criminal in Chicago, since Capone is in prison. Ness leaves Agent Martin Flaherty in charge; Ness has to fly to Washington, DC, since the brass wants him to give Congress the whole story about the Capone operation. Bugs Moran and Joe Carroll phone Lawrence Halloran at his home; they say Halloran should meet them at his union building. There, Moran spells it out: he wants control of Halloran's union. Halloran is to call a meeting of the union, recommend they elect Moran as vice president, and Joe Carroll as executive secretary-- and then Halloran is to keep his mouth shut. In exchange, Halloran will get his kid back; Halloran has no choice but to agree. Flaherty and Youngfellow are tailing Moran the whole time; after Moran leaves, Flaherty talks to Halloran-- but Halloran won't make a move until he gets his son back. Later that night, the kid is returned to Halloran. Next day, Halloran drops in on Flaherty in room 208 of the Federal Building. Flaherty wants to get Moran; but he tells Halloran that as a Federal agent he can do nothing, since kidnapping is not a federal offense, (if it doesn't cross state lines). Halloran leaves, disgusted. Flaherty phones Ness for some sage advice. Ness surprises Flaherty by telling him he should let Moran take over the union: give him enough rope and he'll hang himself. Ness says, let Moran try to put his arm on some interstate hauler, and they'll nail him for violation of interstate commerce: a federal offense. (that's why Ness is the brains of the Untouchables.) Halloran pays a visit to non-union "Patterson & Sons" Trucking & Hauling. Halloran wants to warn them that Bugs Moran is taking over his union, and Bugs will take over their business next. But the president, Mr. Joseph Patterson, a crusty curmudgeon about 70, accuses Halloran of just wanting to unionize his company, and throws him out of his office; his son Tom Patterson, 28, isn't allowed to say much. Outside, 4 of Bellano's goons start beating up Halloran; Moran and Joe Carroll are watching from their car, and Moran says they'll just "sit back and enjoy it." But as soon as they drive off, Flaherty and Youngfellow run to Halloran's aid, and whale into the goons. They call an ambulance; Halloran goes to the hospital. At the union meeting, Bugs Moran turns Halloran's beating to his advantage: he tells all the members that Patterson's goons hospitalized him, inciting the crowd. Then Moran promises them that, if he's elected vice president, he will force Patterson's company to sign a union contract-- even if he has to break a few of their heads. Moran will also double their membership. Moran is a hell of a speech-maker, and is elected with cheers and applause. April 6, 1932. Moran doesn't have any new tricks, so he uses his old one again: this time he kidnaps Mr. Joseph Patterson's younger son, Tom. But Moran's made a couple of mistakes. First, when Flaherty finds out Patterson's company does interstate hauling, this kidnapping is a federal offense, and Flaherty calls his men and the police. Second, this time they know where the kidnap victim is-- Larry Jr. will ride with Flaherty, and lead them to the farmhouse where he was held. And so, 5 carloads of Untouchables and police take off for Moran's place. At Moran's farmhouse, George "Blackie" Anderson's moll, pretty Thelma Devores, is toying with the tied-up Tom Patterson. She cuddles up to him on the couch; (kidnap victim Tom is in no mood to respond). Blackie Anderson is getting jealous, and snaps at her, "Why don't you play those games with me, Thelma?" (it seems she's fooled around with other guys in the past.) Thelma responds by throwing her lit cigarette at Blackie, bouncing it off his head. Joe Carroll phones the farmhouse, and tips Moran that the Feds are coming over. Moran tells Blackie to shoot Tom Patterson, and says to shoot Thelma, too-- making it look like a "love nest" killing, like they were shot by a jealous boyfriend. (who would buy that story? Everyone knows Tom Patterson was kidnapped.) Blackie says, "It'll be a pleasure." Moran leaves. Moran drives his car around the police roadblock, firing his gun at them. At the farmhouse, Blackie plugs Tom Patterson and Thelma. When Blackie goes out the front door, 4 cars shine their headlights on him. In a stupid move, Blackie fires at them; about 15 Untouchables and policemen create the firepower of a small army. Next day, Joe Carroll is being interviewed by a reporter; he talks his way out of everything. It was not Moran's farmhouse. Moran didn't run through a police blockade, he ran by "3 sinister characters" in an unmarked car who fired on him, how was he supposed to know they were Feds? Etc. Bugs Moran is in jail, and he's done running the unions himself: but Joe Carroll does it for him. At the union meeting, Joe Carroll builds Moran up as a hero: he went to jail for the union, just like Halloran got hospitalized for them. They've signed up 15 new trucking companies. The union members cheer. Halloran, bent but not broken, is at the union meeting. Flaherty asks Halloran, "You've been through kidnappings, beatings, threats. Isn't that enough?" Halloran answers, "It's never enough." Halloran will continue to fight the criminals. As long as we have a few honest men like Halloran, the criminals will eventually lose. (synopsis by: kdh) --------------------------------- [note: this episode does not provide a pat ending -- all the criminals captured or killed, the rackets ring was totally smashed, etc. -- that virtually all the following episodes will provide. This was an open-ended story. Much more realistic, but perhaps not so pleasing to the average TV viewer. ] [trivia: Robert Stack's birth name was Robert Langford Modini, and he was born on January 13, 1919, in Los Angeles, California. ]