Crime drama which ran on NBC for three seasons from 1959-61. The show was based on the memoirs of Barney Ruditsky, a former New York City police detective who was a member of their so-called "Gangster Squad." It detailed his battle against organized crime elements in the 1920's and 1930's. The real life Ruditsky was still alive at the time the series was filmed and served as a technical advisor for the show. James Gregory played Ruditsky and Robert Karnes played his partner, Max Fields. Unfortunately for The Lawless Years it was overshadowed by another series with a similar theme, The Untouchables and only lasted for 47 episodes. Tonight's Story "The Jane Cooper Story" Parolee Jane Cooper's goal is to improve her status in life by trading in her low-class boyfriend for progressively wealthier gangsters. As she moves up the food chain and plays one man off another, each of her ex-boyfriends meets a tragic end. This doesn't go unnoticed by Ruditsky or the mob; they give her the nickname "Jane the Jinx." Cast James Gregory ... Barney Ruditsky Rebecca Welles ... Jane Cooper Henry Corden ... Lefty Paul Clarke ... Danny Stone David Fresco ... Toad Marc Towers ... Nick Roma Gertrude Flynn ... Mrs. Coloper Directed By Allen H. Miner Screenplay Written By Lou Shaw, Peggy Shaw From The Memoirs Of Barney Ruditsky Produced By Jack Chertok Cinematography By William Margulies Film Editing By John Baxter Rogers Art Director William A. Horning, Merrill Pye Set Decoration By Henry Grace ...