A cunning, brutal former dictator (Nehemiah Persoff) is in New York, orchestrating a new Revolution to take back power in "his country." The plan is to install a meek, highly-principled teacher (Jay Novello) as president --AFTER financial backing is secured from a sympathetic philanthropist (Eduardo Ciannelli). The crucial missing element is the legendary American mercenary, Colonel Brier-- whereabouts unknown-- but beloved by the revolutionaries and therefore essential to their cause.
As Tevye says in "Fiddler on the Roof "Sounds crazy, no? Well, not necessarily, all things considered. The script is excellently constructed (though far-fetched) and the performances are REALLY solid.
Nehemiah Persoff - who closed out his career playing Tevye on stage, and who so often in Naked City OVERPLAYED, exaggerated, mugged and generally hammed it up, is fabulous in this role; subtle (after his first scene), devious, commanding, and altogether terrifying. Jay Novello turns in his usual superb performance, beautifully controlled. Eduardo Ciannelli--ditto---and supporting players Cimino and Juanquera, too.
Oh, yes--our Three Intrepid Regulars are also very good, Paul Burke especially. In addition, this is a "Libby-Free" episode, which is fine with me.
That leaves the always-professional, gruff, no-nonsense Chester Morris as the title character, and I think he is terrific in the role; the scene in private between him and Ciannelli is very intense---superbly written, directed, acted and filmed.
Director Elliot Silverstein clearly deserves high praise for his work with the actors, and the cinematography--especially the plentiful close-up shots, is very effective.
MY ONLY RESERVATION-- and it's unfortunate-- is the SLACK pacing and direction after Jay Novello is shot on the sidewalk near the end. Suddenly the entire show goes LIMP, just when the intensity needs to ramp up. The dialogue and editing just CRAWL along with absolutely no urgency. It really kills the momentum, especially as we prepare for the final climatic shoot-out between revolutionary thugs on the one hand, and an army of derelicts/winos on the other. How cool is that?
Overall, though, this is an outstanding show. LR