User Reviews

The extremely well-used South Bronx locations (RIP, original Yankee Stadium) alone made this a winner for me. (Please note MY location. ;) ) Watching NAKED CITY--after all, a show from over 50 years ago--I sometimes think it indulges in orgies of gun play too often and at too great a length. (I realize that this comment, in light of the firepower casually depicted on TV today, seems ludicrous. But, remember, it was 1960...) There are probably as many shots fired in this episode as in any other in the series. The brutality of the opening and during the siege was--and is--very strong stuff for its time. But, as so often is the case, well-staged action aside, it's the human story that makes this one truly special. The stunning first flashback, with its very theatrically-lit transition, was breathtaking. Both newcomer Duvall and old pro Sidney were spot-on in portraying the small family slights and misunderstandings that can lead to ruin and tragedy. The ending--if I may be so bold--does presage a number of Peckinpah climaxes, no? So, maybe this episode is more anticipatory of the changes that the '60s and '70s would soon wreak on NYC and mass media than I first thought...

Having been recently re-introduced to many of our old favourites from the 1950's, '60's and '70's via what is called in our town, METV or Memorable Television on Channel 23, Chicago. In its approximately 8 years in operation, its programming has been so successful, that it is now adding a 2nd Channel; scheduled to be operational presently.

In the last week or so, they've started running "NAKED CITY" (Shielle Prod. /Screen Gems Television Prod., 1958-63). So far, this Episode, A HOLE IN THE CITY (1961) has been the most interesting one they've shown.

The cast has the regulars of Paul Burke (Detective Adam Flint), Horace McMahon (Lt. Mike Parker and Harry Bellaver (Sgt.Frank Arcaro). The supporting cast is top notch, no doubt culled from the availability of so many NY stage actors; who, being largely unknown in film, provided fresh faces for a new look. The supporting players included a very young Robert Duvall and a very slender Ed Asner. Both men are seen sporting full healthy growths of hair.

Like the many really good series (like today's "LAW & ORDER", for example) have done, "NAKED CITY" usually had a great grabber of an opening sequence. In this episode, things weren't any different. For purposes of grabbing, piquing and maintaining our interest, "A HOLE IN THE CITY" begins by looking like a juvenile shoot-em-up. An Armed Robbery of one of those Money Carrier, Brinks-type armored cars has just happened and the NYPD in hot pursuit.

Among those in the Police Vehicles giving chase are our main characters Lt. Parker (Horace McMahon), Det. Flint (Paul Burke) and Sgt. Arcaro (Harry Bellevar).

AS the chase-opening progresses, Narrator Larry Dobkin, fills us in on just who these 3 latter-day Dillengers really are and clues us in on just what is their background, record and what inside their heads makes them do what they do. Pulling up and abandoning the auto in favor of a stolen one, they work their murderous path to a parking garage; forcing their way in and immediately shooting dead the attendant/manager.

Inasmuch as the chase has gone some distance, Lt. Parker, Sgt. Arcaro and Det. Flint meet up with the Detective Lt. (Ed Asner) from the Precinct they were now in. It turns out that Det. Flint and the Lt. went to the same school, nearby the scene. Ironically, the Lt. later is slain by the stick-up gang.

The Robbery had been carefully plotted out by Lewis Nunda (Robert Duvall), who fancies himself to be a mastermind. The garage is close in proximity to the apartment building that Nunda's formerly wealthy Aunt Florence (guest star Miss Sylvia Sidney) now lives. The three go to her apartment to hold up but soon, due to Nunda's long absence being due to some extended absences at the "Graybar Hotel."

We are shown a glimpse into the disturbed mind of Lewis Nunda by way of some really intricate and theatrical use of some flashbacks; showing us Lewis with his Father and Sister visiting with Aunt Florence in her halcyon days of Luxury Apartment living.

After the building is surrounded by the cordon of Uniformed Police and Detectives Nunda winds up shooting his own accomplices and apparently goes out with his machine gun into plain view of the Cops surrounding the roof; apparently doing what has become known as "Committing Suicide by Cop." As it turns out, Lewis Nunda wanted to make that one big score in order to be able to be his Aunt's Hero and restore her to a position of wealth.

As a point of irony, Detective Flint recognizes Lewis Nunda as one of the kids that he went to school with at the nearby PS what-ever-it-was.

There are many strong episodes of Naked City from the second season, but this offering is one of the very best. Sylvia Sidney, whose character undergoes a gradual disintegration during the story, proves what a fine dramatic actress she could be. The scenes between her and nephew Robert Duvall are exceptional and powerful. Another reviewer mentioned the well-lit dissolves that transport us from the present day back into the past. I certainly agree that this technique makes the drama more poignant and meaningful. At the same time, the scenes that occur outside the apartment, on the landing and stairwell, where Duvall's partners in crime engage in a standoff with Flint and the other police officers, are very well staged and suspenseful. Everything about this episode works-- from the performances of the featured guest stars, to Ed Asner in an early role as a cop, to the final shoot-out on the rooftop. Don't miss this episode.

***SPOILERS*** After a bloody armored truck robbery where three innocent persons were gunned down by psycho hoodlum Lewis Nuda, Robert DuVall, and his two partners Al & Jay, Lou Antonio & Jamie Smith, the trio switch cars and after shooting a garage attendant make their way to the safety of Nuda's Aunt Florence's, Sylvia Sidney, dingy walk up apartment just across the street from Yankee Stadium to lay low until the heat's off. With the cops going house to house looking for the band of killers they make themselves at home at Florence's place with the head man Nuda's mind going back in time, some 25 years ago, when he took piano lessons from his Aunt Florence who treated him like her own son.

It's during that time, being on the lamb, that we the audience get an insight into Nuda's very disturbed mind that turned him to a life of crime and murder at a very young age. And it's when he's later confronted by Aunt Florence with the reality of what really happened to him way back then in the depression area Bronx that he suddenly flipped out. That to the point of turning on his fellow hoods, Al & Jay, to make up for all the killings of innocent people he's committed up until then! Which made the police's job who had Nuda together with Al & Jay trapped in Florence's apartment a lot easier!

A high strung Robert Duvall as hoodlum killer Lewis Nuda was well suited for the part in his over the top antics as a psycho killer and Sylvia Sidney was even better as his widowed Aunt Florence who kept the truth from him all these years about her cheap and petty husband who Nuda looked up to and tried to imitate! The fact that he was so cheap and petty that he ended up dropping dead on a Bronx street because his wife Florence asked him for a measly .15 for shopping money! That resulted In causing that penny pinching cheapskate to suffer a fatal heart attack! All this was was just too much for Nuda to take in finding out that his hero uncle was just as sick in the head as he turned out to be!

***SPOILERS*** Going completely mad Nuda with all his dreams suddenly shattered turned on his fellow hoods whom just hours before were involved with him in a triple murder! As well as having gunned down a number of innocent tenants hostages in the apartment building that they were hold up in. In a way it was about the only good thing that Nuda did in his entire life with the exception of him then going out in the open on the roof of the apartment building and making himself a perfect target for cop bullets that had no trouble in finding their mark!