MovieChat Forums > The Untouchables (1959) Discussion > One of the Best Episodes- Cliff Robertso...

One of the Best Episodes- Cliff Robertson

posted 12 years ago by manage-932-700755
9 replies | jump to latest

Cliff Robertson was the special guest star in one of the best episodes of the series. It was called "The Underground Railway," and Robertson played a hood who had plastic surgery to fix his ugly face and disguise himself. It was a great episode and aired originally in the first season.

Robertson was a fine actor. I liked him in "Charly," (where he won the Academy Award for Best Actor)and in the film he did with Genevieve Bujold- "Obsession".

Not only did "The Untouchables" have a fine cast in Robert Stack as Ness and the other good guys, but the guest stars each week really made the series outstanding.

[–] joehrobertsjr 12 years ago

Robertson himself said in an interview that he thought after watching the episode that Virginia Vincent's performance was what made it. I have to concur. She was brilliant. It was perhaps the best by a female on the series.

[–] manage-932-700755 12 years ago

Agreed. She was oustanding, not only in this, but in at least one other episode also.

[–] rbecker28 11 years ago

Agreed. I've found Virginia Vincent to be an excellent actress who is highly underrated. Not only in the Untouchables episodes, but in many others---just saw her in an episode of "87th Precinct" and she was superb; also in a "Fugitive" episode, and more. I like the way she always shows herself to be a lot tougher inside than her external appearance would suggest.

[–] manage-932-700755 11 years ago

Yes, she is excellent. I don't remember her on the "Fugitive", as it's been quite a while since I watched that show (lol). The Fugitive, by the way, was my favorite TV show of the 60s, with the "Untouchables" second.

[–] childers-3 10 years ago

I have been watching these re-runs on MeTV and I remember that one being one of my favorites. She breaks my heart at the end of that episode.

"Well, make something up!"/RG

[–] mozli 10 years ago

Just saw this episode last night. Damn, Robertson was HARD. He's great as romantic leads and heroes but this surprised the hell out of me.

Art is not aspirin

[–] eebyo 9 years ago

Agreed with all of the above - these are 2 great performances. The writing was excellent, too. I thought there was a strong "Twilight Zone" twist to Frank's eventual encounter with his connection and old friend that extended the suspense almost unbearably. "Almost" because of course Ness & Co get their man in the end.

[–] jarrodmcdonald-1 10 years ago

I was disappointed. I had read so much about this episode and was looking forward to it. It seemed full of gimmicks and over-the-top violence. Characterizations, even with a fine actor like Cliff Robertson, seemed like cardboard.

[–] pc-privconfounder 10 years ago

The previous poster should be sent to an uncharted island with Frank Holloway and no food other than the meat on his own bones.