This episode of "The Untouchables" was directed by Ida Lupino. It stars Charles McGraw as Holly Kester. Kester is an aging torpedo-- an enforcer who is tough and is willing and able to beat or kill someone for his boss at a moment's notice. And, he's been very good at it and his relationship with his boss, Victor Kurtz (John Anderson) is very good. Business is also very good, as Kurtz and his long-time rival, Lyselle, has finally put their grudges behind and they are working together finally.
While this situation seems dandy, Ness has made it his business to muddy up this lovey-dovey situation. How? Ness deliberately targets ONLY Kurtz's business. Again and again, Ness and his men raid Kurtz and it starts to look as if Lyselle must be friendly with the Feds-- telling them about how to hurt Kurtz most. So naturally, Kurtz begins attacking Lyselle and soon you have a war going between them*. In the process, Kester's nerves are starting to fray...and it's much worse after he's nearly killed by Lyselle's men. What's next? See the show...it's a dandy. Well done all around and well worth seeing.
By the way, at one point Kester is talking to his buddy and one of them says "Don't play Stella Dallas with me". This is a reference to the Barbara Stanwyck film "Stella Dallas"...a real tear-jerker. In other words, he's telling his friend to stop trying to make him cry.
*It is odd and a bit confusing that Ness is deliberately provoking a mob war considering how hard he worked in a few previous episodes (such as "Giant Killer") Ness works very, very hard to prevent such violence between rival gangs!
While this situation seems dandy, Ness has made it his business to muddy up this lovey-dovey situation. How? Ness deliberately targets ONLY Kurtz's business. Again and again, Ness and his men raid Kurtz and it starts to look as if Lyselle must be friendly with the Feds-- telling them about how to hurt Kurtz most. So naturally, Kurtz begins attacking Lyselle and soon you have a war going between them*. In the process, Kester's nerves are starting to fray...and it's much worse after he's nearly killed by Lyselle's men. What's next? See the show...it's a dandy. Well done all around and well worth seeing.
By the way, at one point Kester is talking to his buddy and one of them says "Don't play Stella Dallas with me". This is a reference to the Barbara Stanwyck film "Stella Dallas"...a real tear-jerker. In other words, he's telling his friend to stop trying to make him cry.
*It is odd and a bit confusing that Ness is deliberately provoking a mob war considering how hard he worked in a few previous episodes (such as "Giant Killer") Ness works very, very hard to prevent such violence between rival gangs!