| Target: The Corruptors! | |
|---|---|
| Format | Crime drama |
| Created by | Lester Viele |
| Starring | Stephen McNally Robert Harland Harold J. Stone |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 35 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ABC |
| Picture format | Black and white |
| Original run | September 29, 1961 – June 8, 1962 |
Target: The Corruptors! is a 35-episode crime drama starring Stephen McNally (1913–1994) as newspaper reporter Paul Marino, which aired on ABC from September 29, 1961 to June 8, 1962. The character Jack Flood, Marino's undercover agent, was portrayed by Robert Harland. The pair infiltrated the mob and reported on different crimes in New York City in this Dick Powell Four Star Television production.[1]Character actor Harold J. Stone (1911–2005) appeared in three episodes.
Many prominent guest stars made appearances on Target: Tne Corruptors!, often familiar faces in the genre of crime drama. The series premiere "The Million Dollar Dump" featured Walter Matthau and Peter Falk. Jack Klugman and Vic Morrow guest starred on "Pier 60" on October 6. "The Platinum Highway" on October 13 featured Frank Sutton, Dan O'Herlihy, and John Lupton in starring roles. "The Invisible Government" on October 20 offered Felicia Farr and Edmond O'Brien as guest stars. The October 27 episode "The Poppy Vendor" featured Gena Rowlands and Robert Loggia. "Bite of a Tiger" on November 3 featured Ed Begley and Robert F. Simon.
The episode "Mr. Meglomania" on November 17 offered Scott Marlowe (appeared twice) and Wendell Corey as guest stars. "The Golden Carpet" on November 24 featured Joanna Barnes, Dennis Cross, and Ed Asner. "To Wear a Badge" on December 1 featured guest stars Michael Constantine, Robert Culp, and Robert Vaughn. "The Fix" on December 22 offered Harry Townes and Frank Lovejoy.[2]
The January 12 episode "One For the Road" featured Constance Ford and again, Walter Matthau. David Janssen, soon to launch ABC's The Fugitive, appeared on the episode "The Middle Man" on February 2, along with Dennis Cross, again in his previous role of Reicher. Suzanne Pleshette guest starred on "Viva Vega" on February 9. "Babes in Wall Street" on March 9 had roles for Barbara Eden and Harry Guardino, who in 1964-1965 appeared in his own CBS series entitled The Reporter. The March 30 episode "A Man's Castle" was directed by William Conrad and guest starred character actor Jack Elam. "Journey into Mourning" on April 13 offered character actors Frank Ferguson, Royal Dano, and Parley Baer as well as Keenan Wynn and Warren Oates. "A Book of Faces" on April 27 featured Jeanette Nolan, Shirley Knight, Allyn Joslyn, and Martin Balsam.[2]
The May 4 segment "License to Steal" featured Gene Evans of the former My Friend Flicka series. "Yankee Dollar" on May 11 offered Frank Aletter, William Conrad, and Alan Hale, Jr.. "The Organizers", a two-parter on May 18 and May 25, featured Richard Anderson, Jack Warden, and Brian Keith. The episode "Nobody Gets Hurt" on June 1 featured Michael Parks and Beverly Washburn as guest stars. The series finale "Goodbye Children" featured Bethel Leslie and John Ericson, who later co-starred with Anne Francis in ABC's short-lived Honey West series.[2]
The program was created by Lester Viele, who was also a co-producer. Velie had written articles about the New York City slums and the infiltration of organized crime into the garment industry. He also wrote about Teamsters President James Hoffa.[2]
Target: The Corruptors! aired on Friday evenings after 77 Sunset Strip, then at the height of its six seasons on the air. The competition was Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone on CBS and the second half of The Dinah Shore Show, a musical variety series which rotated with The Bell Telephone Hour on NBC.[3]
There were also a limited number of Target: The Corruptors! comic books.