Kojak (TV Series) The Betrayal (1974) User Reviews

Anka Can Also Act

[ccthemovieman-1 · 9/10 · 30 January 2012]

I had no idea Paul Anka was such a good actor. Known for most of his career as a singer and songwriter, Anka showed in this episode that he's solid thespian, too! Anka (informant "Buddy Maus") teams up with "Det. Sam Calucci" (Richard Romanus) tipping him off to crimes that are about to happen.

Calucci is hoping that his fantastic record of good busts will get him off his feet and be promoted. Maus, in addition to getting paid, wants to be more of a big-shot in the world of crime. He's playing both sides of the fence.

"Calucci," himself, doesn't come off as anything but a corrupt cop for most of the show, but we see something different near the end. Speaking of different, it was nice to see "Kojak" say something nice to "Crocker" at the end, too.

The small time of crime

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 28 December 2020]

Telly Savalas directs as well as stars in this Kojak episode. The guest stars however really shine in this story.

Singer/songwriter Paul Anka contributes nothing musically, but gives a brilliant performance as a small time conman and stoolie for Detective Robert Romanus.

Romanus is an overweeningly ambitious cop. He's looking to rise rapidly in the department and Anka is providing him with a series of tips that are leading to major busts. But Anka is also looking to move up from the small time of crime and Romanus is helping him.

Also look for Roger Robinson making one of his appearances as undercover detective Gil Weaver who sniffs out something not kosher with Romanus.

It doesn't work out good foreither Anka or Romanus.

Emmy Time

[pattersonros · 10/10 · 3 May 2013]

This is one of the 10 best episodes of Kojak series.

Paul Anka deserved at least an Emmy nod (if not the trophy) for his excellent portrayal of an ambitious stoolie. Prior to this, Anka was seen as a singer and songwriter; after seeing this (when it originally aired), I don't see why he never acted in any of the Coppola or Scorcese movies. Anka is likable, but after setting up his partner and killing a witness, you know that he can be ruthless; he is little, but lethal.

I disagree with the previous post that Det. Calucci was a crooked cop; he proved his honesty by trying to arrest Anka, once he had irrefutable proof that he had killed the witness (Karen). We understand why he was so tenacious; he told Anka that he had a Lt. that didn't like him. Perhaps, this is why Kojak (at the end) calls Det. Crocker "Bobby" and says that even though he yells at him, he loves him.