The Untouchables (TV Series) Hammerlock (1961) User Reviews

One tough baker

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 5 December 2013]

Eliot Ness who was in New York to testify at a trial hears of the death of another Treasury man in the line of duty. Robert Stack and Paul Picerni stick around to aid in the investigation.

What the story in this episode is about is the bakery industry and Murder Incorporated's efforts to shakedown the bakers and bring them into a syndicate run combine. Chief of the independents holding out is Harold J. Stone who is one tough guy.

John Larch is the guy that the syndicate has picked to organize the bakers and he's on a spot. They're not crazy about the attention that is being brought upon them by the murder of a federal agent. He's on a short leash from Murder Incorporated.

Larch was always a good actor in villain roles and he's at his best in The Untouchables. In the end Eliot Ness however gets justice for his colleague in an unofficial way.

The mob wants bread and Stone plays Stone.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 4 March 2016]

The New York mobs have decided to infiltrate the bakeries and force the small businesses to give them a piece of the action. However, when they take on Adam Stone (played by Harold J. Stone), they find he's just like a rock...immovable and unwilling to consider it. But, oddly, he's much the same when Ness comes to see him...Stone seems to seriously think he can fight the mob all by himself. Because of this and how Stone treats his daughter, you quickly come to realize that Stone is a real horse's butt! Even after Stone's manager and fried is killed, he's full of anger and hubris..until his estranged daughter appears. Then what...? Well, it all ends with a wrestling match, believe it or not.

Stone is a very good actor but here his angry man act (one he was very good at...much like his contemporary Simon Oakland...who, incidentally, stars in the very next episode!) is a bit too angry to be realistic. It's still a decent episode in spite of this...but it could have been better.

Battle Of The Tough Guys

[ccthemovieman-1 · 9/10 · 16 March 2012]

"Adam Stone" (Harold J. Stone) is one stubborn dude. No matter what, this baker will not sign a slip of paper giving away his trucking rights to gangsters. The little guys have all signed, after being intimidated. Stone's lifelong business partner and childhood pal pleads with him. Later, his daughter begs him. They don't want to see him get killed by these ruthless thugs.

Meanwhile, Elliott Ness is telling him not to sign. Stone is getting advice and threats everywhere but this guy is tough and unrelenting.

You see, the mobsters want to take over the bakery business but this guy is a thorn in their side. The big boys have lost patience and offer an ultimatum to one of their own - to have this guy sign within a week or it's going to be his scalp. They have big muscle guys like "Brian 'Bull' Hanlon" (John Larch) and "Pete 'Brass Knuckles' Nolan) to do it, but Mr. Stone is tough, too.

Who's going to win? This is a good story with riveting characters and just enough action to keep this interesting.