THE DETECTIVES – The Frightened Ones - 1961
This one is episode 48 of the 97 episode run of, THE DETECTIVES. This series starred Robert Taylor and ran between 1959 and 1962. The first two seasons ran at a half hour and the last season had a runtime of an hour. The series followed the detective squad in a big city precinct. Cast regulars included, Mark Goddard, Russell Thorson, Tige Andrews, Lee Farr and Adam West. Robert Taylor headlines as Police Captain, Matt Holbrook.
Small time loan shark James Coburn pays a less than friendly visit to a client. The client, Michael Parks asks for more time, but gets a few slaps for his efforts from Coburn. Parks gets in a lucky punch, jumps in his car and speeds off. Coburn jumps in the car of Park's friend, Chris Robinson and takes off in pursuit. Coburn runs Parks off the road where he crashes leaving a tangled mess of steel.
Coburn returns Robinson's car to Robinson and warns him to be quiet. Coburn threatens to harm Robinson's blind sister, Denise Alexander, if Robinson does not play along. Robinson promises to forget the whole matter.
The Police are called to the accident. They pull the just barely alive Parks out of the wreck and rush him to the hospital. They examine the wreck and pull paint chips off the car to examine. This soon leads to a check of autos matching the paint. Needless to say the Police are soon calling on Robinson. The Police have discovered that Robinson is a close friend of the badly injured Parks.
Robinson is not all that forthcoming with any info. Robinson is soon locked up when the Police receive word that young Parks has died. Coburn is of course keeping a close eye on the proceedings. He pays a visit to the blind girl, Alexander, at her apartment. He tells her to play along as well or it is a knife to the throat.
This conversation is interrupted by Police Detectives, Russell Thorson and Mark Goddard. Coburn hides in the bedroom after telling Alexander to behave. The Detectives would like to know if she can tell them anything about her brother and the dead boy, Parks. Alexander is no help in this department. The Detectives prepare to leave when Alexander passes a matchbook to Detective Goddard.
After the Detectives leave, Coburn says, "good job" to Alexander and grabs a chair. He intends to stay put. Goddard wonders why Alexander handed him the matchbook. He had seen her poking at it while interviewing her. He notices a series of bumps from pin pricks on the flap. "Braille" The detectives call in an expert to read the matchbook. It says, "man with a gun in bedroom".
Detective Captain Robert Taylor calls a quick meeting and everyone heads back to Alexander's place. Detective Thorson pretends to be a plumber to gain entry. Thorson pulls Alexander aside while the other Detectives rush the bedroom where Coburn is hiding again. Shots ring out as Coburn starts blasting away. He is quickly put down in a return barrage of bullets from the Police.
Alexander is safe and her brother, Robinson is soon released. The wounded Coburn is hauled off for a date with a judge.
Always a hoot to see a young James Coburn in an early role. He can play a real slime-ball when called upon.
This one is episode 48 of the 97 episode run of, THE DETECTIVES. This series starred Robert Taylor and ran between 1959 and 1962. The first two seasons ran at a half hour and the last season had a runtime of an hour. The series followed the detective squad in a big city precinct. Cast regulars included, Mark Goddard, Russell Thorson, Tige Andrews, Lee Farr and Adam West. Robert Taylor headlines as Police Captain, Matt Holbrook.
Small time loan shark James Coburn pays a less than friendly visit to a client. The client, Michael Parks asks for more time, but gets a few slaps for his efforts from Coburn. Parks gets in a lucky punch, jumps in his car and speeds off. Coburn jumps in the car of Park's friend, Chris Robinson and takes off in pursuit. Coburn runs Parks off the road where he crashes leaving a tangled mess of steel.
Coburn returns Robinson's car to Robinson and warns him to be quiet. Coburn threatens to harm Robinson's blind sister, Denise Alexander, if Robinson does not play along. Robinson promises to forget the whole matter.
The Police are called to the accident. They pull the just barely alive Parks out of the wreck and rush him to the hospital. They examine the wreck and pull paint chips off the car to examine. This soon leads to a check of autos matching the paint. Needless to say the Police are soon calling on Robinson. The Police have discovered that Robinson is a close friend of the badly injured Parks.
Robinson is not all that forthcoming with any info. Robinson is soon locked up when the Police receive word that young Parks has died. Coburn is of course keeping a close eye on the proceedings. He pays a visit to the blind girl, Alexander, at her apartment. He tells her to play along as well or it is a knife to the throat.
This conversation is interrupted by Police Detectives, Russell Thorson and Mark Goddard. Coburn hides in the bedroom after telling Alexander to behave. The Detectives would like to know if she can tell them anything about her brother and the dead boy, Parks. Alexander is no help in this department. The Detectives prepare to leave when Alexander passes a matchbook to Detective Goddard.
After the Detectives leave, Coburn says, "good job" to Alexander and grabs a chair. He intends to stay put. Goddard wonders why Alexander handed him the matchbook. He had seen her poking at it while interviewing her. He notices a series of bumps from pin pricks on the flap. "Braille" The detectives call in an expert to read the matchbook. It says, "man with a gun in bedroom".
Detective Captain Robert Taylor calls a quick meeting and everyone heads back to Alexander's place. Detective Thorson pretends to be a plumber to gain entry. Thorson pulls Alexander aside while the other Detectives rush the bedroom where Coburn is hiding again. Shots ring out as Coburn starts blasting away. He is quickly put down in a return barrage of bullets from the Police.
Alexander is safe and her brother, Robinson is soon released. The wounded Coburn is hauled off for a date with a judge.
Always a hoot to see a young James Coburn in an early role. He can play a real slime-ball when called upon.