In Suspense's "Dutch Schultz," Broderick Crawford stars as infamous New York City gangster Dutch Schultz (1902-1935). This episode focuses on the murder of Schultz by his Mafia colleagues, rather than on his entire violent career. His dispute with them was over U.S. Attorney Thomas Dewey, who was prosecuting him for tax evasion. Schultz wanted him dead, but the syndicate felt that murdering Dewey would be detrimental to their business. So, they ordered a hit on Schultz instead, and he was subsequently gunned down in a men's bathroom. (Suspense's version doesn't mention Dewey by name, and he was not district attorney at the time.)
The episode opens in 1935, and the syndicate is having a meeting to discuss the new district attorney. Dutch Schultz wasn't invited, but he bursts in on their meeting anyway. They tell him he wasn't invited because his operations are in New Jersey, but he claims he has a grudge against the new district attorney too, so they allow him to stay.
At first the syndicate wants to eliminate the D.A, but then they decide against that. Instead, they decide to kill all of his witnesses.
Dutch doesn't like their plan. He thinks they should just bump off the D.A. and be done with it. The syndicate decides that Dutch is a dangerous nuisance, so they decide to get rid of him instead.
"Dutch Schultz" was written by screenwriter James Poe and produced and directed by Elliott Lewis. Broderick Crawford starred. Also appearing were Hy Averback, Benny Rubin, Herb Butterfield, Paul Frees, Sidney Miller, Jack Moyles, Jay Novello, and Tony Barrett. This episode aired on October 26, 1953.
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(Image: mugshot of Dutch Schultz)
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