"Crime Story" (1986) TV series 1986-1988

User Rating:

8.6/10   

Creators:

Chuck Adamson
Gustave Reininger

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

18 September 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

The saga of a Chicago police detective's efforts to stop a young hood's ruthless rise in the ranks of organized crime.

Plot Keywords:

Organized Crime | Police | Neo Noir | 1960s | Gangster

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Dennis Farina	...	Lt. Mike Torello (24 episodes, 1986-1988)
Anthony John Denison	...	Ray Luca (24 episodes, 1986-1988)
Bill Smitrovich	...	Det. Danny Krychek (24 episodes, 1986-1988)
Steve Ryan	...	Det. Nate Grossman (24 episodes, 1986-1988)
Bill Campbell	...	Det. Joey Indelli (24 episodes, 1986-1988)
Paul Butler	...	Det. Walter Clemmons (24 episodes, 1986-1988)
Stephen Lang	...	Atty. David Abrams (23 episodes, 1986-1988)
John Santucci	...	Pauli Taglia (20 episodes, 1986-1988)
Joseph Wiseman	...	Manny Weisbord (17 episodes, 1986-1988)
Ted Levine	...	Frank Holman (12 episodes, 1986-1987)
Jay O. Sanders	...	Steve Kordo (12 episodes, 1986-1988)
Jon Polito	...	Phil Bartoli (11 episodes, 1986-1988)
Jack Angel	...	Narrator (11 episodes, 1986-1988)
Darlanne Fluegel	...	Julie Torello (10 episodes, 1986-1987)

Runtime:

60 min (42 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 (some episodes) | Iceland:16 (some episodes) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (DVD rating) | Canada:14A (Manitoba) (DVD rating) | Canada:G (Quebec) (DVD rating) | Singapore:PG | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico

Company:

Michael Mann Productions

Trivia:

By the time Season 2 began, Paulie Taglia had become so popular as a comic relief that John Santucci, the actor who played Paulie, finally got his name on the opening credits.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The Plaza Hotel wasn't constructed until 1971, but appears repeatedly in Vegas-based episodes.

Quotes:

Ray Luca: You can go to Cleveland or you can go to hell.
Frank Holman: What a choice! I'll go to Cleveland.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Directors: The Films of Michael Mann (#2.1)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Runaway

Steel-tough Chicago Cops, Old School justice.

I only wish I could rate it higher on the scale than just ten stars.

Talk about a lot of work that went into this one. I actually felt as if I was back in the early sixties when I was watching it. This was masterfully done. The scripting, to me was flawless. The development of the characters, was straight up, right. The scenery, well...brought to you by Good Ole Michael Mann. Largely some of the coolest style and presentation in Television and Cinema that I have seen yet. Mr. Mann brings deep emotional content and sustaining context to what he makes. I was traveling on a short vacation, I stopped into Tower Records in L.A. probably about (1995) and found the complete 'Crime Story' series on VHS for I believe it was merely $60.00 then. Needless to say I bought it. Then later on laser disk, but only found a couple. Now it has been put out on DVD!! Thankyou everyone in charge of production and ownership of the rights and especially WalMart for selling it on-line! Cheaper than when I bought it on VHS even.

Every character together makes the 'tapestry' of the story complete. From the lawyer, David Abrams(Stephen Lang), the ever 'Bad', Ray Luca, to Johnny O'Donnell (David Caruso, now C.S.I.:Miami's Lt. Caine) Pauli Taglia the roly-poly happy go lucky, sometimes fearful,(when running into Turello) sidekick to head man 'Luca'. But, you can't forget (or even try) the king of the street Lt. Mike Turello! Now He's the man!!! His crew, including Big Walter Clemmons, Nate, Joey and of course Danny. All excellent detectives battling highly organized crime (or evil) in their fair city.

The town and all the back ground in the story just rings true to form of that city in that era. The job putting this all together to make it that real, takes incredible work, time, effort, research. Even down to using real 'Morgue footage' actual film stock from 1963 for the real 1960s Chicago look. It was compiled and layered just right.

But then the network that let this epic show, just go, I believe is really stupid. Just like other shows that have had total-life left and yet the network 'lunk-heads' pulled the plug instead of giving some better, (uh hmmm) P.R. than they had done, back then. This show inspired me and my creative mind. I didn't quite know in what way, then, but I know now. I recommend this awesome police-mafia drama, with some comical over tones to those who enjoy wheel made television. (***)

P.S: I just bought the DVD set, and it is still a beauty to behold, now digitally remastered!!!!