Based on a real-life saga, Elliot Ness heads up an elite group of law enforcement officers in their battle against organized crime and gang lords like Al Capone and Frank “The Enforcer” Nitti in 1930s Chicago. Set during the prohibition era, Ness and his crew quickly discover that people are willing to pay any price to drink alcohol, and some pay with their lives.

CAN YOU SPOT
Jack Lord, Louise Fletcher, Jack Warden, Martin Landau, Marion Ross, Harry Dean Stanton, Leslie Nielsen, Peter Falk, Elizabeth Montgomery, Vic Morrow, Rip Torn, Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Ed Asner

DID YOU KNOW
Robert Stack wasn’t ABC’s first choice for the role of Eliot Ness. Van Johnson and Van Heflin were offered the part first.

During testimony from Mafia boss turned informant, Jimmy “The Weasel” Fratianno, the Chicago Mafia family ordered a hit on show producer Desi Arnaz because the show focused too much attention on organized crime. The hit was rescinded when the family realized it could cause even more trouble for them.

AWARDS
1960 Emmy Award: Outstanding Performance By an Actor in a Series: Robert Stack