MovieChat Forums > The Untouchables (1959) Discussion > Ness's No. 2 Man

Ness's No. 2 Man

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

I think Paul Picerni was absolutely great as Lee Hobson as Robert Stack's no. 2 man, beginning in the 2nd year of the series.

I've heard the reason given for Jerry Paris's termination from the series in the 1st year as the no. 2 man was lack of chemistry wiht Stack. (Stack had complete actor, writer, director and producer approval.) I've heard two reasons given for the replacement of the actor who followed paris- Anthony George, as Cam Allison. The two reasons were: (1) George was starting to overshadow Stack; and (2) George had already accepted the starring role (as the no. 1 actor) in an upcoming series, "Checkmate."

Watching the three actors again on various episodes of the series (I also saw the sweies when it first aired), I wonder if there was another reason for the replacement of Jerry Paris and Anthony George. Both are about 6'1" or 6'2"; while Stack was about 5'11" and Picerni was 5'9." Just about every star has an ego, and I wonder of the primary reason or one of the reasons for the replacement of the intial two no. 2 guys was simply that they were taller than Stack. The actor who subsequnetly played for 3 years in the series- Picerni- was shorter than Stack at 5'9."

Also, Anthony George was quite good looking and was cool. I could see how Stack may have felt competition from him that he didn't want.

Just a speculation on my part. I could be completely wrong.

[–] joehrobertsjr 12 years ago

George didn't really overshadow Stack. That's obvious in the episodes in which he appeared. I've read that the two men didn't get along so when George was offered the leading role in Checkmate he decided to take it and leave The Untouchables. His character suffered a worse fate than that of Jerry Paris's. Martin Flaherty was transferred. Cam Allison was shot down by Frank Nitti's gunmen.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] manage-932-700755 12 years ago

We have a difference of opinion. I think George had an oustanding screen presence. It is quite possible that Stack resented him and they had problems because of that. I thought that George was far superior to Doug McClure in "Checkmate."

What is your source for saying that George wanted out so he could take the Checkmate series? You sound so confident about it that I assume you have a specific source besides your own opinion. It is a plausible reason, though.

My source was the autobiography of Paul Picerni, published in 2007, who played Lee Hobson- the no. 2 man for 3 years of the series. I have confidence in what Picerni said, and he ought to know. Picerni said he never got the straight answer on why George was replaced. He did say that George "stepped on Bob's shoes a few times, and that it appeared that George was "trying to make his mark on the show."

Althouhg Picerni liked Stack a lot and they got on well, Picerni did say that Stack was sensitive to occasions where other untouchables were shown in a lead position in a partciular scene, which Stack objected to.

From this souce (and I think it is a relaible one), I think it is likely that Stack and George did not get along, and it may have had to do wiht Stack's percepton that George was trying to position himself at the expense of Stack. I conclude that Stack wanted to replace George. The "Checkmate" opportunity was present, and my opinion is that it combined with Stack's desire to replace George, in a smooth replacement.

As you can see some of what I write is based on a specific reliable source, and the other is opinion. I don't think you and I are not far apart. The "Checkmate" oppotunity was out there. But it is clear to me, based on Picerni's comments, that Stack and George did not get along. Whcih was the predominant factor we will probably never know. Stack had total actor, director, producer and writer approval, so it was easy for him to replace actors on the show. Personally, I liked George a lot, but thought Picerni was better as a No. 2 man. George was the best looking of the three and had a style that I liked, but it didn't mesh that well with Stack.

The interview you cited corroborates my guess that the greater height of Paris may have been a factor in his replacement. George was also taller than Stack. Stack was by no means short at 5'11-6.0", but these actors, especially stars, have big egos, and a 2-3" difference can apparently be a negative to a star who is sensitive.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] drystyx 10 years ago

Initially, I think it was supposed to be Hobson, but when Rico entered the stage as the "everyman" barber, he became too important as an "everyman" character to put on the back burner, and in effect he became the real number two to Ness in terms of screen time.

Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time

[–] meastinger 9 years ago

Picerni went from his role of playing a hood in Capones' mob (Tony Liguri) in the pilot show to playing Lee Hobson, Ness' #2 man for 3 years worth of episodes starting in year 2! Another hood (Frank Kotter) from the pilot that became part of the team was Nicholas Georgiade who went on to become Enrico Rossi!