September 30, 1958(1958-09-30)– May 29, 1963(1963-05-29)
Naked City is an American police procedural television series from Screen Gems that aired on ABC from 1958 to 1963. It was inspired by the 1948 motion picture The Naked City and mimics its dramatic "semi-documentary" format. As in the film, each episode concluded with a narrator intoning the iconic line: "There are eight million stories in the naked city. This has been one of them."
The Naked City episode "Four Sweet Corners" (1959) inspired the series Route 66, created by Stirling Silliphant. Route 66 was broadcast by CBS from 1960 to 1964, and, like Naked City, followed the "semi-anthology" format of building the stories around the guest actors, rather than the regular cast.[1] In 1997, the episode "Sweet Prince of Delancey Street" (1961) was ranked number 93 on TV Guide's "100 Greatest Episodes of All Time" list.[2]
Synopsis
Filmed on location in New York City, the series concerned the detectives of NYPD's 65th Precinct (changed from the film's 10th Precinct). Episode plots usually focused more on the criminals and victims portrayed by guest actors, characteristic of the "semi-anthology" narrative format common in early 1960s television (so called by the trade paper Variety).[3] For the first season, the primary writer was Stirling Silliphant, who wrote 32 of the season's 39 episodes. Silliphant's work resulted in significant critical acclaim for the series and attracted film and television actors of the time to seek guest-starring roles.
Many scenes were filmed in the South Bronx near Biograph Studios (also known as Gold Medal Studios), where the series was produced, and in Greenwich Village and other neighborhoods in Manhattan. The exterior of the "65th Precinct" was the Midtown North (18th) Precinct, at 306 West 54th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, in the second and the third season, and the current 9th Precinct, at 321 East 5 Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues before it was renovated, in the first and in the fourth seasons.
Naked City was first broadcast during the 1958–59 season, with the title The Naked City, as a half-hour series featuring James Franciscus and John McIntire playing Detective Jimmy Halloran and Lt. Dan Muldoon – the same characters as in the 1948 film (played there by Don Taylor and Barry Fitzgerald). Harry Bellaver played the older, mellow Sgt. Frank Arcaro. For the first season, the narrator (voiced by Lawrence Dobkin) identified himself as "Bert Leonard," claiming to be producer Herbert B. Leonard. While critically acclaimed, the series did not have good ratings. Midway through the season, McIntire quit the show (his character being killed in a car crash with a criminal) because of his desire to leave New York and relocate back to his Montana ranch. He was replaced with Horace McMahon, who was then introduced in the same episode as Muldoon's curmudgeonly replacement, Lieutenant Mike Parker.
The cast change did not help the show's ratings; ABC cancelled Naked City at the end of the 1958–59 season. One of the show's sponsors (Brown & Williamson), along with production staff, successfully lobbied the network to revive the show as an hour-long series, which premiered in 1960. The 1960 version featured Paul Burke as Detective Adam Flint, a sensitive and cerebral policeman in his early thirties. Horace McMahon returned as Lt. Parker as did Harry Bellaver as Sgt. Arcaro. Nancy Malone appeared regularly (for about half the newly produced episodes) as Adam Flint's aspiring actress girlfriend, Libby Kingston. The hour-long version of the show was broadcast by ABC in the 10:00p.m. slot on Wednesday nights.
For this iteration of the series, writer Silliphant was forced to reduce his involvement considerably, as he was simultaneously working as the main scriptwriter for Route 66 which began in October 1960. Silliphant wrote the first three episodes of Naked City's second season, then did not write any further episodes until he wrote three episodes for season four. Those employed as writers of Naked City episodes during seasons 2, 3 and 4 included veteran TV writer Howard Rodman (who also served as story editor), blacklisted screenwriter Arnold Manoff (writing with the pseudonym "Joel Carpenter"), and Shimon Wincelberg. Noted science-fiction TV writers Charles Beaumont and Gene Roddenberry also each contributed one episode.
Many of the actors listed above played multiple roles for different episodes, as different characters.
Sanford Meisner, the noted acting coach, made a rare celluloid performance in an episode of the series. Acting coach and actress Peggy Feury also made an appearance, in a different episode. Rocky Graziano made an appearance during his relatively brief post-boxing acting career. Actors such as Conrad Bain, Dabney Coleman, Ken Kercheval, Burt Reynolds, and Jessica Walter appeared in minor roles, long before becoming famous.
Several actors played recurring roles, e.g.Suzanne Storrs (as "Janet Halloran" in nine episodes during the series' first version, featuring Franciscus and McIntire), Jimmy Little as "Sgt. Max Higgins", Robert Dryden as "Police Surgeon", and Richard Kronold as "Detective Dutton".
Episodes
Naked City was broadcast for four seasons starting in late 1958. A total of 138 episodes were produced during the four season run.
Season 1 (1958–1959)
Naked City premiered on ABC as The Naked City on September 30, 1958, with the episode Meridian. The first season was broadcast as 30-minute episodes from September 1958 to June 1959, consisting of 39 episodes. The series was cancelled after the first season.[4][5][6][7] This original 30-minute version was sponsored by Viceroy cigarettes.
Guest stars: Al Hodge as Johnson, Joey Walsh as Lefty Hawkins, Bill Zuckert as Donahue, Alison Marshall as Debbie Halloran, Frank Downing as McGregor, Pat De Simone as Arturo, Barbara Banks as Sylvia.
When their attempted hold-up goes awry, two teenagers take refuge at a gun show. Notable location: Filmed at the New York Coliseum on Columbus Circle, now the location of the Time Warner Center.
Guest stars: Johnny Seven as Biggers, Peter Dawson as Bronson, Harry Holcombe as Commissioner, Ralph Stantley as Hagerton.
While Lt. Muldoon tries to convince an aging ferry boat captain to retire, a meticulously planned armored car hijacking is taking place below deck. Note: the captain's name is "Adam Flint", the same name as Paul Burke's character when he joins the revamped series in its second season. Notable location: Staten Island ferry.
Guest stars: Diane Ladd as Yankee Cretias, Eugenie Leontovich as Katrina Cretias, William S. Forester as Bailiff, Andrew Cevado as Peter, Paul Lipson as Bartender, Alison Marshall as Debbie Halloran.
Lt. Halloran tries to cope with the emotional after effects of killing a man in the line of duty for the first time.
Guest stars: Gary Morgan as Paulie, Jay Novello as Gio, Tarry Green as Jocko, Ruth Altman as Mother Superior, Leonardo Cimino as Shellshock, Mark Barkan as Laddie. Notable location: Allen Street Public Baths.
A man "fishes" for dropped coins from beneath sidewalk grates in hopes of raising enough money to support an orphan.
Guest stars: House Jameson as Morgan, Earl Rowe as Hanson, Robert Weil as Crane, Mark Allen as Greer, Donald Moffat as Brickwell, Janice Mars as Nurse Kaufman, Helm Lyon as Romaine, Jeno Mate as Parker.
Halloran goes undercover in a mental ward to find out who killed one of the patients. Notable locations: Welfare (now Roosevelt) Island, Queensborough Bridge elevator.
Was a detective killed running away from thieves instead of confronting them - or is his partner who survived the confrontation lying? Note: Horace McMahon, who joins the series later in the season as "Lt. Parker" appears in this episode as the head of an anti-theft squad; in the closing credits his character's name is simply "Chief".
Guest stars: Frank Dana as Packy, Sandra Smith as Lucy, David Winters as Marty, Harry Davis as Foreman, Arny Freeman as Cienzi, David Challis as Pancho, Alison Marshall as Debbie Halloran.
When a teenager is killed by a rival gang, his friends debate whether to "rumble" with their rivals - or simply murder one of them in revenge.
Guest stars: Paul Spencer as Mitchell Pierce, Tom Ahearne as Sgt. Bellows, Dean Almquist as Dodds, Dorothy Dolliver as Evie.
A thief poses as a milkman to ransack the apartments of the real milkman's customers while they are on vacation. Notable location: Belvedere Castle in Central Park.
Guest stars: Diana Van der Vlis as Linda Stephenson, John Lawrence as Grubber, Johnny Seven as Brick, Lester Mack as Freeman, John McQuade as Cassidy, Jock MacGregor as Andy.
A gangland assassination in a barber shop leads to the fiancee of the gangster who ordered the hit - and a showdown between Halloran and the gangsters in an isolated lighthouse. Notable location: Execution Rocks Light in Long Island Sound.
Guest stars: Gerald Gordon as Walt Brown, Loretta Leversee as Nova, Arnold Merritt as Jimmy Barrick, David J. Stewart as Professor, Frank Campanella as Cameraman.
A disturbed young man is compelled to kill attractive but handicapped women in order to "be somebody" – but the police refuse to believe him when he tries to confess. Notable location: Riverside Church.
Guest stars: Frank Campanella as Telephone engineer, Sandy Robinson as Carol Thomas, Paul Valentine as Larry, William Clemens as Johnny Horack.
A young woman overhears a murder on her newly installed telephone; the detectives don't believe her story--but the killer does. Notable locations: Rockefeller Center, New York City Incinerator (address unknown).
Guest stars: Will Kuluva as Mikel Storkich, George Maharis as Stroke Strokich, John Karlen as Chuck, Vic Werber as Leo, Richard Kronold as Detective Dutton.
The embittered son of a humble sewer worker plans a heist using those same sewers as a getaway route.
A quiet neighbor of Detective Halloran and his wife embarks on an inexplicable killing spree. Notable location: Coney Island, including Steeplechase Park.
Guest stars: James Barton as Matty, William Edmonson as Chain, Louis Guss as Shull, Gilbert Mack as Lombardi, Guy Raymond as Augie, Pat Malone as Harrison, William Baron as Wiper, Eddie Bruce as Barnwell.
Circumstantial evidence makes a harmless Bowery derelict appear a murderer, while the actual killer goes undetected - at first... Notable location: Shot at night mostly around the Bowery just south of Houston St. Filmed inside Sammy's On The Bowery (no. 267 made famous by photographer Weegee among others) with owner Sammy Fuchs and noted clientele with a famous Follies performer singing.
Guest stars: Jack Klugman as Patrolman Mike Greco, Vic Morrow as David Greco, Gino Ardito as Sneaker, Walter Kinsella as Detective Markham, Vincent Van Lynn as Detective Ted, Margaret Lenert as Mrs. Greco, Sheldon Koretz as Robley.
A son wants to follow in his policeman father's footsteps, but refuses to accept the fact he's not up to the task.
Guest stars: Ernest Sarracino as Anton Marshak, Beverly Bentley as Arlene Conway, George Lambert as Hanson, Paul Alberts as Kettleman, Ed Furey as Mason Conway.
An embittered man plans to detonate a bomb along the route of an Olympic hero's ticker tape parade.
Guest stars: Clement Fowler as Ed "The Bumper" Jenkins, Albert Henderson as Landers, Michael Strong as Det. Hal Perlman, Matt Crowley as Commissioner, Richard Kronold as Detective Dutton, Sam Gray as Doyle.
Lt. Parker takes command of the squad when Lt. Muldoon and the gangster he is accompanying to trial are killed by an assassin who uses a car as his murder weapon.
Notable Location: the 125th Street Riverside Drive Viaduct, Harlem
Guest stars: Robert Alda as Jess Burton, Bruno Damon as Manager, Rocky Graziano as Lou Curtis, Arnold Merritt as Larry, Morgan Sterne as Al McBride, Guy Sorel as Harry Weeks.
A bellboy tries to protect his idol - a washed-up former football star - when the man is involved in an accidental death at a rigged poker game.
Guest stars: Martin Balsam as Arnold Fleischman, Shawn Donahue as Debbie Halloran, Phyllis Hill as Betty Fleischman, Romo Vincent as Teddy Simpson, Sloan Simpson as Shirley Buchwald, Gerald Price as Max Buchwald, Pat Tobin as Commentator.
Halloran tries to prove a man was unjustly convicted of the hit and run death of a child--but the man refuses to accept his help.
When a soldier returns home and discovers his kid sister has fallen in with a shoplifting ring, he confronts the ringleader in the criminal's lair. This episode was intended to serve as a backdoor pilot for what would eventually develop into the TV series Route 66, which began its run in the fall of 1960. Robert Morris, intended to be the series' co-lead alongside Maharis, died in May 1960.
Guest stars: Jan Miner as Mrs. Knauf, Melville Ruick as Harding, Kay Doubleday as Laura Harding, Eugenia Rawls as Mrs. Harding, Irene Cowan as Mrs. Miles.
The investigation into the murder of a private eye reveals his corrupt values and leads to an unexpected killer.
Guest stars: Rudy Bond as Lt. Springer, Phyllis Hill as Jane Whitmore, Louis Nye as Drunk, Byron Sanders as Charles Whitmore, Richard Kronold as Detective Dutton, Lynn Whitmore as Janice Manzo.
A pair of suspect-tracking bloodhounds wind up in the detectives' custody.
Halloran tries to convince the woman whose fraudulent testimony is about have a man executed to recant.
Season 2 (1960–1961)
The series was revived as an hour-long show in 1960 with the title, Naked City. The first episode of the revived series was A Death of Princes and premiered on October 12, 1960. This season ran until June 1961 with 32 episodes.[4][5][6][7]
Guest stars: Frank Overton as Andrew Brent, Fay Spain as Felice Reynolds, Felicia Farr as June Walden, Carolyn Leigh as Kathy Linus, Duke Farley as George Silver, William Post, Jr. as Meredith Linus III, Noah Keen as Psychiatrist.
The detectives try to discover who killed a playboy with a long list of conquests and his latest girlfriend.
An embittered man resorts to increasingly dangerous and bizarre methods - including an amusement park house of horrors - to prove a neighbor caused the fire that killed his wife and child. Note: the legendary Wilhelm Scream is heard at appx 48:25 into the episode.
44
05
"To Walk in Silence"
Roger Kay
Barry Trivers
November9,1960(1960-11-09)
Guest stars: Claude Rains as John Weston, Telly Savalas as Gabe Hody, Deborah Walley as Heather Weston, Alan Bunce as Dr. Bill Seaton, Stephen Bolster as Donald Weston, Valerie Cossart as Deborah Weston, Sybil Bowan as Doris, David Kerman as Police Doctor, Sid Raymond as Waiter, Sorrell Booke as Victim.
A Wall Street executive tries to hide the fact he witnessed a murder in a gambling parlor and was wounded by a stray bullet.
Guest stars: Burt Brinckerhoff as Erwin Lovegod, Santiago Burgos as Lumpy, Norma Connolly as Ruth Peter, Carmen Mathews as Lily Dancer, George Kane as Policeman #1, Clifton James as Officer Finnelli, Norman Rose as Policeman #2, Tommy Halloran as Hymie, Bill Lazarus as Dr. Arvid.
A disturbed young murders policemen to get "revenge" against his deceased war hero father he believes abandoned him.
A gambler tries to stonewall the police when a player is murdered at his high-stakes poker game - while dealing with the woman who's arrived from his homeland for an arranged marriage.
The deliberate electrocution of a wiretapper eavesdropping on phone conversations by his partner reveals a tangled web of romantic obsession and corporate espionage.
Guest stars: Keenan Wynn as Maxwell Ronan, Abbe Lane as Estelle Reeves, Henry Lascoe as William Saxer, Sorrell Booke as Uncle George, Timmy Everett as Burt Ronan, Arny Freeman as Salesman, Daniel Ocko as Arthur Warfield, Jerry Jarrett as Moving Man, Perry Wilson as Betty Ronan, Tarry Green as Sidney, Mary James as Designer, Richard Kronold as Detective Dutton.
The owner of a company manufacturing linings for fur coats has second thoughts about his plan to rob his own company.
Guest stars: Albert Salmi as Len Brewer, Peggy Ann Garner as Edie Brewer, Mitchell Ryan as Overton, Joseph Bernard as Asst. DA Colby, Robert Weil as Nesvady, Doris Rich as Mrs. Jassy, Christopher Barbieri as Livny, Muriel Franklin as Dierdre, Phoebe Mackay as Mrs. McDade, Joe Warren as Sean Ross.
When a man is found shot to death at a gas station the paroled convict working at the station fears he will be arrested for the crime.
Guest stars: Dennis Hopper as Vinnie Winford, Meg Mundy as Rosalind Winford, Sylvia Miles as Ginger Barr, Geoffrey Lumb as Rufus Cates, Hilda Brawner as Ruby Redd, Jack Bittner as Luther, Nancy Stone as Diana Rand, Bill Lazarus as Dr. Gregg, George L. Smith as Engineer.
The pressure of managing his late father's corporation drives his young son to madness--and murder.
A murder and robbery involving a woman dressed as a policeman leads to a deadly rivalry between former Nazi SS officers. Note: There is no opening narration to this episode.
Guest stars: Brett Somers as Mrs. Garvin, Ben Piazza as Nino Licosa, Paul Stevens as Mario Licosa, Frank Marth as Albert Garvin, Richard Casey as Pietro Vinton, Allen Joseph as Gerth, Susan Melvin as Jennie Licosa, Dino di Luca as Joseph Licosa, Jacqueline Bertrand as Henriette, Pierre Epstein as Paul DeLage, Gerry Jedd as Marta Licosa, Aristede Sigismondi as Don Pugnacio.
The hunt for a robbery ring targeting valuable items stored in waterfront warehouses leads to a conflicted Italian family.
Guest stars: Roddy McDowall as Donnie Benton, Mary Fickett as Norma Sutter, Patricia Bosworth as Betty Harkness, Florence Anglin as Mrs. Purely, Alvin Epstein as Elliot Kesbeck, Louise Larabee as Mrs. Benton, Victor Thorley as Landlord, Bruce Dern as Hollis.
An out-of-work actor resorts to murder to support himself when his career stalls.
A lawyer turns delusional and refuses to believe his wife died in childbirth, embarking on a crime and gambling spree to pay for the deluxe hospital accommodations he imagines she deserves.
Guest stars: Martin Balsam as Caldwell Wyatt, Frank Sutton as Franklin Maquon, Edward Asner as Vince Busti, Than Wyenn as Judge Lakewood, Robert Blake as Knox Maquon, Oliver McGowan as Oscar Keswick, Noah Keen as Deputy DA Smith, Richard Shannon as Prestwick, Jon Lormer as Minister, Margo Lundgreen as Eve Busti.
Detective Flint travels to Los Angeles to extradite two criminals to New York.
Guest stars: Nehemiah Persoff as Carlos Roldan, Eduardo Ciannelli as Don Miguel Cordura, Jay Novello as Juan Manguardo, Leonardo Cimino as Julio Verrace, Chester Morris as Frank Manfred, Victor Janquera as Dr. Miguel Cabiro, Remo Pisani as Juan Perez, Sam Gray as Officer Sam Gode, William Beach as Bum #1, Lester Mack as Bum #2, David Greer as Bum #3.
An alcoholic derelict with a strong resemblance to a foreign leader is trained to be a stand-in for the man to help spark a revolution.
A criminal gang commandeers a yacht to hold well-to-do business executives hostage for ransom. Notable location: an extensive scene photographed in New York City's since-demolished Pennsylvania Station.
Guest stars: Paul Hartman as Ben Stringfellow, Roger C. Carmel as Al Buxley, Sam Gray as Detective Goad, Anita Dangler as Myra Wolinsky, Mickey Freeman as Irvin Wolinsky, Matt Crowley as Commissioner Buckley, Sam Capuano as ADA Angelo, Robert Weil as Prisoner, Conrad Bain as Chamber of Commerce Man.
The only witness to the brutal murder of a convention-goer is the security guard who committed the crime.
The mastermind behind the jewel robberies that keep a once wealthy, now impoverished upper-class family afloat... is their maid.
Season 3 (1961–1962)
The third season of Naked City premiered on September 27, 1961, with the episode Take Off Your Hat When a Funeral Passes. This season ran through June 1962 and comprised 33 episodes.[4][5][6][7]
Lt. Parker pressures a mentally unstable man to once again inform on his criminal brother. Notable Location: Beneath the Manhattan side of the Manhattan Bridge
A man living a fantasy world of chivalry becomes a menace to those he sees as dishonorable.
74
03
"The Corpse Ran Down Mulberry Street"
Alex March
Jo Pagano
October11,1961(1961-10-11)
Guest stars: Nehemiah Persoff as Dominic Venussi, Sorrell Booke as Salvatore Rogero, Joe De Santis as Matt Valentine, John Ramondetta as Angelo Venussi, Al Lewis as Harry McGoglan, Andrew Gerado as Lou, Wendy Waring as Angelina Venussi, Brenda Vaccaro as Rosa Alloro, Sally Gracie as Gracie, Teno Pollick as Anders, Dino Terranova as Alloro.
An illegal immigrant smuggling racket and a drug ring are exposed when a man in a coffin turns out to be very much alive. Notable location: Filmed inside and outside of Lanza's Italian Restaurant (opened in 1904 and closed in 2016) on 10th Street and 1st Avenue and along 1st Avenue.
The au pair looking after a wealthy family's son fears for the boy's safety after overhearing his parents' violent arguments--and has a secret of her own.
Guest stars: Jack Klugman as Alfie Tiloff, Jan Sterling as Myrtle Tiloff, Dino di Luca as Alessandro Corbello, Fred J. Scollay as Marty Parlin, Ruth White as Mary Nagler, Gerry Jedd as Dora Baggett, Helen Norden as Elly Baggett, Robert Arnold as Candy Store Man.
A domineering wife convinces her reluctant husband to kidnap a little girl for ransom.
An unbalanced young man accompanies the woman he is obsessed with on an odyssey to find shelter for a homeless elderly woman. Notable location: Shot around The Cooper Union, Cooper Square and the Bowery.
A middle-aged shoemaker struggles to understand his much younger, and very unhappy wife. Notable location: Park scenes were filmed at The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx.
In an episode inspired by Charles Starkweather's 1959 killing spree (which is mentioned in the episode), a backwoods couple leave a trail of murders behind when they arrive in Manhattan and shoot Sgt. Arcaro.
Guest stars: Peter Von Zerneck as Hotel Manager, Orson Bean as Arnold Platt, Barbara Barrie as Rosalind Faber, Karen Steele as Grace Harvey, Vaughn Taylor as J. Milton Turpin, Mae Questel as Annette Faber, Alexandra Berlin as 1st Roommate, Carolyn Groves as 2nd Roommate, Edward Lane as Bellboy, Ben Dova as Tailor, Sally Gracie as Brenda.
A meek man confesses to embezzling money from his employer to pay for his mother's healthcare, and offers to pay it back - but everyone wants him to keep the money!
Guest stars: John Larch as John Clinton, Geraldine Fitzgerald as Lillian Clinton, Roger C. Carmel as Lowell Newton, Godfrey Cambridge as Detective Carlisle, Susie Fitzgerald as Kathy Clinton, Milt Kamen as Officer Novi, Jimmy Little as Sgt. Moroni, Jim Greene as Prisoner, Bill McNally as Johnny Clinton, Carmen Costi as Patrolman, Ed Crowley as Pharmacist, Alfred Hinckley as Officer Eckert.
A patrolman suffering a nervous breakdown takes the precinct hostage.
Guest stars: Eli Wallach as George Manin, Keenan Wynn as Bodram Bogota, Lois Nettleton as Sara Applinger, Jimmy Little as Desk Sergeant, Remo Pisani as Houseman, Lou Criscuolo as Picklebarrel, Jim Beard as Dice Player, Chris Bohn as Dutton, Chuck Bruce as Detective Ragaway, Pierre Epstein as Desk Clerk, Alex Freeman as Dice Player, Frank Marth as Man, Robert Weil as Henny.
A hit man on the run from the police and the mob takes a gambler on a hot streak hostage in the hope the man will win enough money to finance his leaving the country.
A sailor seeking revenge against the captain responsible for his brothers' deaths kills the man's wife by mistake. Short bar sequence filmed inside Sammy’s Bowery Follies, 267 Bowery.
Guest stars: Peter Falk as Frank O'Hearn, Neville Brand as Joe Brothers, Leonardo Cimino as Alberto Russo, Dino di Luca as Nick Russo, George Mathews as Jim Mulroy, Anita Dangler as Sheila O'Banyon, Louise Sorel as Girl #1, Judie Carroll as Girl #2, Nickolas Bianchi as Johnny.
An American Indian, just released from prison, travels to New York to convince his army buddy to give up his criminal lifestyle
Did he fall or was he pushed? The death of a show biz agent casts a shadow on an egotistical actress, a philandering husband and the chauffeur who witnessed the incident.
A sculptor refuses to stop working on a statue of his homeland's dictator, even when threats are made against his life. (Note: There is no opening narration in this episode.)
The detectives are confounded when they discover a mild-mannered office worker is simultaneously leading four secret lives. Notable location: The original Pennsylvania Station (1910–1963)
Guest stars: Martin Gabel as Jerry Brayson, Kathryn Hays as Beth Rydecker, Michael Tolan as Asst. DA Ricardo Gardillo, Carol Eve Rossen as Nancy Hooper, Paul Stevens as Judge, Curtis Taylor as Paul Pireaux, Edward Lane as Charles Pinger, Ruth Ford as Mrs. Rydecker, Peter Turgeon as Kangdon.
Detective Flint finds his motives and behavior questioned at the trial of a wealthy young woman he's arrested for drug use and reckless driving, .
A college professor, exposed to a dangerous chemical tries to separate truth from fantasy about his past. Notable Location: Freedomland U.S.A., a short lived amusement park located in the N.Y.C. borough The Bronx. Now the location of the Co-op City housing development.
A chauffeur kills the elderly woman he works for in order to marry her daughter--who is being blackmailed by the butler for supposedly committing the crime.
Season 4 (1962–1963)
The fourth season was the last for Naked City and started on September 19, 1962, with the episode Hold for Gloria Christmas. A total of 34 episodes were produced for this last season, which ran from September 1962 through May 1963.[4][5][6][7]
The investigation into the murder of a Greenwich Village Beat poet reveals a life of tragic self-destruction. (Note: The Marvel comics introducing The Amazing Spider-Man (Amazing Fantasy #15) and Thor (Marvel Comics) (Journey into Mystery #83) are displayed prominently in scenes taking place at a newsstand; these issues in all likelihood were actually on sale when the episode was filmed sometime in the late spring or early summer of 1962.)
A rage-filled father tries to "protect" his daughter by attacking young men he believes are threatening her. (Note: There is no opening narration to this episode.)
A gambler takes advantage of a boxer desperate for money to help his wife achieve her dream. Remake of season one episode 38, "The Canvas Bullet". (Note: there is no opening narration to this episode.)
Guest stars: Joseph Buloff as Waiter, George Rose as George Lanyard McGrath, Sally Gracie as Leona McGrath, Arnold Soboloff as Giacovetti, Carmine Caridi as Assistant Driver.
A "common man" drunkard with a grudge against Flint starts a mini-crime wave as a practical joke on the detective, then takes a "scientist" hostage only to encounter a man as common as himself.
When a son places his father in a retirement home against the man's wishes, he vents his rage by phoning bomb threats to abusive people he's read about in the papers.
The murder of their chef doesn't stop the couple owning the restaurant from their bickering - or flirting with others.
117
13
"King Stanislaus and the Knights of the Round Stable"
James Sheldon
Abram S. Ginnes
December12,1962(1962-12-12)
Guest stars: Jack Klugman as Pete Kannick, John Larch as Steve Werminski, Joanna Merlin as Gloria Werminski, Rosetta Bain as Mrs. Arcaro, Sybil Bowan as Mrs. Comely, Michael Gorrin as Father Thaddeus.
Two old friends express their friendship by brawling and drinking, at increasing danger to their lives.
Guest stars: Walter Matthau as Dr. Max Lewine, Sally Gracie as Bixie, Joan Copeland as Beverly Lewine, Patricia Englund as Meredith, Dorothy Sands as Mother, Cynthia Belgrave as Cleaning Lady, Lou Criscuolo as Tyrone.
A married man's fling with a Las Vegas showgirl takes a bizarre turn when she follows him back to New York--and takes him prisoner at gunpoint.
Guest stars: George Segal as Jerry Costell, Gabriel Dell as Willie Corbin, Dana Elcar as Al Boris, Paul Larson as Hank Mulvaney, Carolyn Groves as Diane, Barbara Hayes as Carlotta Corbin, Jimmy Little as Sgt. Higgins, John Dorman as Charlie, James Pritchett as Policeman.
A detective addicted to taking dangerous chances puts the lives of the other detectives at risk
Guest stars: Barnard Hughes as Older Reporter, Gene Hackman as Jasper, Dort Clark as Tom Hanson, Richard Hamilton as Phillip Hames, Russell Hardie as Chief Guard, George L. Smith as Lt. Otel, Jack Stamberger as Father Donovan, Howard Wierum as Judge, Chris Gampel as Warden Darrell, Charles Dierkop as Symphony Audience Member.
Flint is unnerved when he is called upon to witness the execution of the violent criminal he arrested.
The lone holdout in a murder trial tries to convince his fellow jurors the prosecution lacks evidence "beyond a reasonable doubt" to convict the defendant.
Guest stars: Kurt Kasznar as Corsica, David Janssen as Carl Ashland, Leonardo Cimino as Sid Kitka, John Dutra as Phillip Seaver, Lloyd Hubbard as Jelgava, James Dukas as Truck Driver, Sid Raymond as Elevator Operator.
Flint's investigation into a bungled robbery takes him into the advertising world - and to a surprising job offer.
Flint's investigation into the death of a high-rise construction worker is stymied by the code of silence of the dead man's native American co-workers.
Guest stars: Harry Guardino as Ben Giovanni, Marisa Pavan as Francesca, Al Lewis as Mr. Carrari, Augusta Merighi as Celia, Jonathan Lippe as Brain Trust, Gerry Matthews as Brain Trust, Joe Silver as Dean of Admissions, Fay Bernard as Mrs. Carrari, Tom Brannum as Brain Trust, Tom Slater as Brain Trust.
An insecure man struggles to escape from the shadow of his domineering late father who robbed him of his self-confidence.
Guest stars: Lou Antonio as Charlie Tepperoni, Carol Eve Rossen as Gladys Hopper, Johnny Seven as Carmine Tepperoni, Neva Patterson as Miss Morley, Eugene Roche as George, Remo Pisani as Nicholas, David Hooks as Arnold, Ron Weyland as Lester.
When a young man unable to put down roots witnesses an accidental killing resulting from his brother's criminal activities, the other members of the brother's gang fear he will inform on them.
A high-powered TV executive who refuses to acknowledge his drinking problem finds himself in court after striking his wife and crosses paths with a blue-collar worker fighting the same demons.
During the late 1980s, Naked City aired weekly early Monday mornings on New York City's WNYW-TV, Channel 5. In July 2011, Retro Television Network began airing episodes of both The Naked City and Naked City. In October 2011, MeTV began carrying Naked City, airing it weekly overnight, and in mid-2013, it began showing two episodes of The Naked City back-to-back. As of October 2023, Naked City can be seen on Retro Television Network.
Home media
Between 2003 and 2006, Image Entertainment, under license from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, released a series of single-disc releases containing four of the hourlong episodes per disc, followed by three releases billed as "Box Set" 1 to 3, each of which contained three discs and 12 one-hour episodes, with their original commercials and sponsors' slots included as bonus features. These releases are now out of print.[citation needed] Early 2013 saw the release of a 10-disc Best of Naked City set containing 40 episodes, all of which had been included on the earlier DVDs, and Naked City: 20 Star-Filled Episodes, a five-disc set with 10 more re-releases and 10 previously unreleased shows. It includes two half-hour episodes, the earlier series' first appearance on DVD.[citation needed] None of these releases attempts to present the show in chronological order; their contents appear[to whom?] to have been selected for the episodes' famous guest stars, whose names are prominently featured on their covers and other packaging.[citation needed]
On November 5, 2013, Image Entertainment released Naked City: The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1.[8] The 29-disc set contains all 138 episodes of the series.
Awards
Naked City also received Emmy nominations for Best Dramatic Series - Less Than One Hour in 1959; Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Drama in 1961, 1962 and 1963; Paul Burke for Outstanding Continuing Performance by an Actor in a Series in 1962 and 1963; Horace McMahon for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor in 1962; Arthur Hiller for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama; Nancy Malone for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actress in 1963; and Diahann Carroll for Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in 1963.[9]
In popular culture
The title Naked City is used for the L.A. Noire DLC vice case titled "The Naked City".[citation needed]
A tie-in collection of short stories was written to capitalize on the success of the TV series. It was titled The Naked City, and was published as a mass-market paperback by Dell in 1959. Although it was credited on the book's cover solely to series creator Stirling Silliphant, it actually consisted of writer and newspaperman Charles Einstein's prose adaptations of eight Silliphant stories from the series' first season of half-hour episodes. Einstein is the half-brother of comedian Albert Brooks. The cover featured an evocative photo montage by photographer David Attie. The book is well regarded by fans of the series, but it has long been out of print.
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