The Untouchables (TV Series) Tunnel of Horrors (1961) User Reviews

Wow...it really sucks to be Arnold Justin!

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 2 March 2016]

Arnold Justin (Martin Balsam) is a successful and respected Chief of Detectives. Apparently, he's tired of this life and is looking for a killing...and decides to run heroin for Frank Nitti's mob. Unfortunately, when he and another scum-bag, Raeder (Joseph Ruskin) are making a deal, the feds break in and the drugs become lost. Justin spends most of the episode tracking down a carnival ride operator (Don Gordon) because either he retrieves the drugs or he's a dead man. His only chances are to either find the drugs or run to Ness and spill his guts. Which will it be, Arnold?!

This is a pretty good episode and it is interesting to see Balsam playing a violent guy--something very different from his usual characters. Well made and worth seeing.

Wily Coyote- Genius!!! -

[AlsExGal · 8/10 · 27 March 2022]

...These were the only words I ever heard from that cartoon character, shortly before The Roadrunner got the best of him once more.

And that comparison has lots to do with this episode, because ex chief of police gone corrupt Arnold Justin (Martin Balsam) is now a buyer - usually drugs - for the mob. He has agreed to meet the drug seller at a local amusement park so as not to have the transaction attract attention. But the Untouchables are hanging around and watching anyways, and Justin sees them. He calls off the sale but the other people involved panic and one guy, Johnny Selkirk, grabs the drugs and manages to hide them near a storm drain before he tends to the wounds he got courtesy of an Untouchable's bullet.

So now Justin is on the hot seat as far as Frank Nitti is concerned because he botched the purchase, and he has to find those drugs. During this time Justin visits Ness' office and just baits him about how smart he is and how much money he makes versus Ness' puny paycheck. They apparently knew each other when Justin was on the force. So now Ness is only human and would very much like a chance to show Justin up and finally get him on a charge. Does he? Well, let's just remember Ness will be back next week but Balsam's character is just a special guest star. But it's almost HItchcockian in exactly how it plays out.

Out of his league

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 6 May 2014]

Martin Balsam's portrayal of a mobbed up ex-cop highlights this Untouchables episode as Robert Stack and the squad stop a dope transaction from taking place at a carnival run by Joseph Ruskin.

Ruskin is the supplier and Balsam the money man representing Bruce Gordon and the syndicate. When The Untouchables bust up the deal, unfortunately a punk played by Don Gordon runs off with the heroin, they only get Balsam and the money. No crime in carrying a satchel filled with cash, but it does put Balsam in Eliot Ness's sights.

After that Don Gordon decides to go into business for himself, but he's just a punk without the gangster smarts.

As it turns out though, Balsam is playing out of his league as well. Robert Stack has to settle for some rough street justice though.

Nicely played by Robert Stack.

A Taut, Exciting Story Well-Told & Photographed

[ccthemovieman-1 · 29 September 2011]

Like the first episode in this third season, this was outstanding. The story was terrific, the acting superb and likewise, the photography. The DVD-transfer looked almost high-def.

The story involves purchasing of heroin and how it gets sidetracked by a "thug" and a crooked ex-cop. The latter, the smart guy of the show, is played by veteran actor Martin Balsam. He is excellent, as is the thug, played by Don Gordon, who was good at playing those kind of roles during this era when "The Untouchables" was a hit TV show. Another player is the famous Frank Nitti, played by another Gordon - Bruce - and he's always interesting in that role.

Justin is an old nemesis of Eliot Ness, so Elliot is on edge.....he really, really wants this arrogant ex-lawman.

The story is tight - not a loose or dull moment in the script - and the black-and-white photography looks fantastic on the sharp CBS-TV/Paramount DVD transfer.

This episode really points out the paranoia one could have being a criminal in which no one - justifiably so - trusts anyone.