The Untouchables (TV Series) Syndicate Sanctuary (1960) User Reviews

Very exciting stuff!

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 12 January 2016]

"Syndicate Sanctuary" is one of the more exciting episodes of "The Untouchables" as it's very violent and has an inventive plot. Provided you understand that the story (like most on the show) is total fiction, you'll enjoy seeing it.

The film is set in the fictional suburb of Calum City. If you are a Chicagoan you know this sounds like Calumet City--a suburb that was known for its corruption in the age of gangsters. Perhaps they changed the city name to avoid lawsuits.

When the show begins, an honest judge who is running for office is murdered. It seems that the mob is moving into this small town and wants to use it as a base of operations...hence the need to get their own officials elected to office. When Ness finds out about this, he actually urges the opposition party to not make waves-- they're sure to be killed and he and his boys will take care of the problem. But it's a BIG problem, as the police force is about as corrupt as possible and the gangs won't exactly play nice! What is Ness to do?!

As I mentioned, this show is quite violent and has a lot of action and originality. Because of these reasons, it's very enjoyable...and having a mug like Anthony Caruso playing the mob boss sure didn't hurt!

Taking up her father's cause

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 18 September 2013]

This week's assignment for Eliot Ness and his picked crew of incorruptible agents is in the fictional town of Calum City, Illinois where the syndicate is thinking of setting up shop. First to rake in the profits from the wide open place they want to make of it, but second to have a headquarters to oversee all kinds of other operations under the watchful eye of a friendly police chief in Robert Simon.

The concept of the wide open are and corrupt government that goes with it has been done in films like The Phoenix City Story all the way to The Godfather Part II where the mob is trying to purchase a whole country.

Judge Raymond Greenleaf who was a reform candidate for mayor was run down by a truck and his daughter Gail Kobe is taking up his fight. It was a set up job, but coroner Douglass Dumbrille and Chief Simon turn the inquest into a farce.

This episode marked the first appearance of Nicholas Georgiade as agent Rossi of the Treasury Department who would be with The Untouchables series run. Also Jack Elam plays one of the hired hoods of syndicate kingpin Anthony Caruso.

A whole lot of familiar big and small screen favorites are in this episode which makes it worthwhile.