This one is the first episode of 1959-60 undercover cop series, TIGHTROPE. The series ran for a total of 37 episodes and starred Mike Connors in the lead role. Connors is a deep undercover cop who is assigned to various cities across the country on tough cases.
In this one, a woman (Doreen Lang) has been kidnapped by a group of hold-up men. Lang's husband (Emerson Treacy) is a guard in the counting room at the local race track. Treacy is told that if he ever wishes to see Lang alive again, he will do as instructed.
The hold-up types (Fred Wayne, Robert Bailey, Ed Nelson, James Anderson) are planning on robbing the track on the last day of the current racing meet. They know there is always a large turnout and there will be plenty of cash.
There was a slight hitch though when they grabbed Lang. They had been pulled over by a motorcycle cop for speeding. Anderson, who goes by the name, "Blaster", had emptied a two-barreled shot-gun into the cop. The car had then sped off. The cop survived long enough to give a clue as to the gunman.
The local Police commander (Nelson Leigh) puts in a call for a special undercover. The man (Mike Connors) is to see if he can find Anderson and company. Connors hits all the seedy clubs and pool halls and soon digs up some leads. He of course makes a nuisance of himself which impresses the criminal crowd. He is soon in with all the "wrong" people.
He is hired to help out on the race track robbery. He unfortunately has no way of letting the Police in on the hold-up. He has to play the whole thing by ear. The bunch hit the track and force their way into the count room with guard Treacy's help.
Connors sees a chance to set off the alarm and does so. Everyone grabs what cash they can and high tails it for the exits. The alarm, however, has alerted the other track guards and the police. Guns are pulled with the bad types getting the rough end of the pineapple. Connors fades into the crowd and leaves. He is now ready for his next assignment.
A pretty good series, with plenty of action and some good guest stars, such as Ted de Corsia, Stacy Harris, Barbara Bain, Regis Toomey, Karen Steele, Paula Raymond, Mike Mazurki, Emile Meyer, Paul Langton, Myron Healy, Marc Lawrence, Brad Dexter, Jack Elam and Elisha Cook Jr.
The series was produced by film noir vet Russell Rouse. The two-time Oscar nominated, one time winner, wrote 36 of the 37 episodes. He also directed several of them, including this particular episode. His film work as a director include THE WELL, HOUSE OF NUMBERS, WICKED WOMAN, THIEF, and NEW YORK CONFIDENTIAL.
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