Meurtre en pleine rue

Andy Griffith charisma can't quite redeem this tepid tale of a mobster (Loggia) being tried for the murder of a gem merchant (Hammer). Undoubtedly a pilot which failed to launch, its talky and lacking any real tension or suspense although the cast is excellent. Dillman, Guardino, Don Gordon and Stan Shaw supporting the amiable yet assertive Griffith as the assistant DA, whilst Loggia is a stereotypical Mafia villain (lots of pasta eating and posturing). The grand jury scenes and eventual court case feature some interesting brinkmanship and tactics between the defence (Sadoff) and prosecutors, but its still very tame and predictable. Overall it's no surprises, nothing ventured, and really nothing much gained from watching.