Very grim and violent episode-- a la "The Untouchables" at its darkest.
A well constructed drama-mystery centering on $500,000 of Nazi loot, stashed in New York since the mid-40's, and now fought over by two factions: a Viennese family of death-camp survivors, and a trio of Nazi death camp SS officials. And yes...they "encountered" one another 20 years earlier at Dachau (the title of this review is spoken by George Voskovec's character, a high-brow orchestral conductor living and working in New York...obviously with a disturbing past).
And therein lies the intensity and muted horror of the War Years that propels this powerful story, which requires a first-rate cast to pull it off. Fortunately, the lead roles are all in excellent hands, especially Leonie Leontovich, who brings great class and dignity to the role of Mama Keller. Mike Kellin is very effective as (what else?) a brooding, tormented psychopath, his trademark.
Even Voskovec and Barry Morse-- both scenery-chewers of renown, dial it back, and as a result are also very convincing.
Several minor complaints--inconsistencies typical of a hastily filmed weekly TV show. The main problem, I feel, is the bufoon-ish tone of much of the opening scene, which contains two cold-blooded murders in broad daylight, witnessed by two young knuckle-headed boys (one of whom takes a well-aimed snowball to the crotch). Surely there were other, more dependable witnesses, since we see extras walking in the background.
The scene with Harry Bellaver and the two kids plays like a bad vaudeville routine, and creates a major DISCONNECT with the gravity of the rest of the show---as does the cheesy TV interview with Viveca Lindfors' character, using her faux Zsa-Zsa Gabor public persona--which will change dramatically as we get to know her. In any case, these early scenes tend to undermine the rest of the episode; they could have been done in a much less "cartoon-y" way...but that's what "Naked City" seemed to prefer in their street scenes.
ALSO-- WHAT'S WITH THE DELIVERY BOY in the beginning (at 2:35")??? Check out the suggestive glances shared between him and Nancy Malone; what's THAT all about?? Should Adam be concerned?? LR