: Stars Robert Stack as Eliot Ness, with notable guest appearances by Nehemiah Persoff and Barbara Nichols.
" The Empty Chair " is the official premiere of the television series , airing on October 15, 1959 . It serves as a narrative bridge following the two-part pilot, picking up immediately after Al Capone is sentenced to 11 years for tax evasion. Plot Overview
: Ness attempts to create a rift between Nitti and Guzik by exclusively raiding Nitti's personal holdings, hoping Nitti will believe his associates are betraying him. The Empty ChairThe Untouchables : Season 1 Epis...
The episode's title refers to the power vacuum left by Capone's imprisonment. While the "Enforcer" (Bruce Gordon) attempts to seize control through immediate violence, he is challenged by the mob's brilliant bookkeeper, Jake "Greasy Thumb" Guzik (Nehemiah Persoff). Guzik argues for a "legitimate" front to avoid the tax evasion charges that brought down Capone, persuading the syndicate to leave the leader's chair empty for the time being. Key Story Beats
: It established the series' trademark tone of relentless law enforcement and noir-style cinematography, setting the stage for 117 subsequent episodes. The Empty Chair - Episode Review : Stars Robert Stack as Eliot Ness, with
: The episode concludes with the recovery of Capone's secret financial ledger, which Guzik had hidden in a graveyard. Production & Reception
: During a shootout where Nitti eliminates rivals, barber Enrico Rossi (Nicholas Georgiade) witnesses the crime. Impressed by Rossi's courage when he defends himself with a switchblade, Eliot Ness (Robert Stack) recruits him as a new member of the Untouchables. Plot Overview : Ness attempts to create a
: Ness reaches out to Brandy LaFrance (Barbara Nichols), the widow of a mobster killed in the pilot, to help trap Guzik.