The Lawless Years - The Cutie Jaffe Story

Crime drama which ran on NBC for three seasons from 1959-61. The show was based on the memoirs of Barney Ruditsky, a former New York City police detective who was a member of their so-called "Gangster Squad." It detailed his battle against organized crime elements in the 1920's and 1930's. The real life Ruditsky was still alive at the time the series was filmed and served as a technical advisor for the show. James Gregory played Ruditsky and Robert Karnes played his partner, Max Fields. Unfortunately for The Lawless Years it was overshadowed by another series with a similar theme, The Untouchables and only lasted for 47 episodes.

Tonight's Story "The Cutie Jaffe Story"
Cutie Jaffe is a small time Lower East Side hood with an outsized sense of importance. He and his flunkies hijack one of his brother-in-law's bootlegging trucks that's loaded down with good imported booze.

Cast
James Gregory ... Barney Ruditsky
Robert Karnes ... Max Fields
Robert Fuller ... Cutie Jaffe
Bobs Watson ... Butcher Boy
Bill Giorgio ... Fatso (as William Giorgio)
Al Ruscio ... Manny
Fred Engle ... Lunkhead
Cy Malis ... Speakeasy Operator
Jamie Forster ... Oscar
Jimmy Carter ... Kid
Bill Hickman ... Detective (uncredited)

Directed By Allen H. Miner
Screenplay Written By Allen H. Miner
From The Memoirs Of Barney Ruditsky
Executive Producer Harry Pope
Produced By Jack Chertok
Cinematography By William Margulies
Film Editing By John Baxter Rogers
Art Director William A. Horning, Merrill Pye
Set Decoration By Henry Grace, Otto Siegel
Assistant Director Maxwell O. Henry

Details
CountryUSA
Original Air Date May 7, 1959
Season 1, Episode 4
Filming Locations Iverson Ranch - 1 Iverson Lane, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California
Production Co Jack Chertok Television Productions, California National Productions, NBC

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