I have a question concerning the portrayal of Frank Nitti in films. I've only seen Mr.Nitti in "The Untouchables" and "Road To Perdition", but both films depict him as a very different character. The Untouchables shows Nitti as a wiseguy, and more of a ruthless killer, as to where in Road To Perdition we see Nitti breifly but more as a buisnessman. My question is, was Nitti more of a killer, or a buisnessman?

Also...what other films has the character of Frank been in, I've heard of an actual movie called "Nitti: The Enforcer" which I think has Sylvester Stallone in it, but I'm not quite sure so If anybody can name any other films or let me know if there is any truth to the one I've listen above please let me know. Grazi!

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0095746 there is "Nitti: The Enforcer". Sly is not in it but Bruno Kirby is!

here is the real Frank Nitti

Bruno Kirby isn't in that movie. His father, Bruce, is.

Here's a link to a pretty succinct history on Nitti:

FRANK NITTI: The Enforcer

I don't know if you have access to the old TV show "The Untouchables", but if you can watch it you'll see Nitti portrayed there frequently.

Nitti started out as one of Capone's (many) bodyguards, and advanced because he had a good head for business and organization. He was never the cold-blooded hitman portrayed in "The Untouchables." Capone almost always used out-of-town contract killers for big hits, the better to protect his organization from prosecution. The portrayal in "Road to Perdition" may be more accurate. Nitti and Jake Guzik ran The Organization while Capone was in Federal prison. Nitti, facing a prison sentence, killed himself in 1943.

I know Frank Nitti more from the old TV series with Robert Stack. He was in many episodes. From what I remember, I thought he was portrayed more of a "business" type than a cold blooded murder. I hear Nitti and that actor's face comes to mind. I wish they'd rerun that series. It's been ages since I've seen it.


TIS

That's my Frank Nitti, too, TIS. The actor's name was Bruce Gordon, and I couldn't find any other significant roles for him in either my TV trivia book, or any film guides.

What I did learn was that Jerry Paris, who appeared in the old Dick Van Dyke show as Jerry Helper, the dentist (Millie's husband), and directed many episodes, appeared as one of the agents in THE UNTOUCHABLES for two seasons (1959-60).

P. Lawrence,

I am familiar with Jerry Paris but wasn't aware he was involved in directing any Untouchable episodes. I will try to spark your memory tho. Do you remember one episode (and I don't know why I remember this one in particular ) where Elizabeth Montgomery starred as somewhat of a love interest for Ness (which was unusual for his character) and it was called "The Rusty....(something Story) LOL! I think she ended up getting whacked.


TIS

I don't remember the episode you're talking about. And I meant that Jerry Paris directed episodes of Dick Van Dyke; Sorry, I guess I didn't make that clear.

TIS, the episode you're referring to was "The Rusty Heller Story," in which Montgomery played a Southern prostitute of the same name.
Bruce Gordon went on to have a regular role as Gus Chernak in "Peyton Place."

I hate the way he's protreyed in Untouchables.Yeah he got shoved off a roof :rolleyes: That is one of the biggest reasons why I hate that movie.

Cant say ive ever heard of the guy