User Reviews

In January, 1947, David Wayne created the role of Og the Leprechaun in the unique Broadway musical "Finian's Rainbow", singing and dancing his way into the hearts of American theatergoers (the same role clumsily, obnoxiously played by Tommy Steele in the heavy-handed film version in 1968). When I played the same role onstage in High School (also in '68), I naturally became interested in Mr. Wayne's work, and was curious to learn about him. Eventually, via home video and cable, it was possible to do so, since he was a popular and versatile presence in film, TV, stage and industrial films.

15 years after his super-success in "Finian's", David Wayne guest starred in THIS episode of Naked City; as you watch it, keep in mind that he probably had two days to learn the entire script and develop his multi-faceted portrayal of the title character. But it's very easy to see why, in 1947, Wayne was chosen to create the role of the puckish, mischievous, but slightly melancholy little guy from Ireland in "Finian's".

His performance here is superb--- understated, whimsical, deftly delivered, and charming as all get-out. Emmy quality, without a doubt. His final scene with the series' 3 regulars (Burke, McMahon and Bellaver --who himself had created the stage role of Sitting Bull in the smash hit "Annie Get Your Gun" in 1946, the year BEFORE "Finian's") is a joy to behold. Mr. Wayne's impish, droll presence, the twinkle in his eye touched with a hint of sadness and resignation, dominates the scene (which is very cleverly written), leading us to the final resolution.

And even though Naked City's real strength was its gritty, "relevant" human dramas, I find myself absolutely enchanted by this gentle, lighthearted, maybe even "magical" show every time I watch it.

David Wayne--- who doesn't even get photo recognition on the DVD packaging (instead, Nancy Marchand and Jean Stapleton are touted as the stars), was one of our most brilliant actors, who will never get anything near the recognition he deserves. At least we can all treasure a bit of his legacy thanks to this episode. LR

***SPOILERS*** Not satisfied with the life that he's leading as a happily married man and working the 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM shift for the mid town Manhattan brokerage firm of Little & Herschel Herbert Konish, David Wayne, has carved out for himself over the years a number of secret identities in order to both pep up his boring life as well as help the human race. It's when a nosy-body neighbor Mrs. Hagerson, Jean Hoffman, started complaining about what she thought were unsavoredly things going on at the neighborhood Saint Alfred Parrish run by a Mr. Ripple aka Herbert Konish on the Lower East Side in Manhattan that Konish's entire life, or better yet lives, began to unravel.

With 65th precinct police Detective Adam Flint, Paul Burke, put on the case he soon uncovers that everything that Mr. Ripple or Herbert Konish in disguise was doing is perfectly legit! In fact the guy is so clean and saint like that he deserves to get the Nobel Peace price for his unselfish and highly moral contributions to the cause of all of humanity! Not be arrested and thrown behind bars for her, Mrs Hagerson, suspicions of him running some kind of scam in illegally getting city & state funds for himself!

With Det. Flint's boss Let. Mike Parker, Horace McMahon, feeling that there's something very fishy as well as illegal about this Mr. Ripple he has a squad of cops put on his tail where it's uncovered that not only is Konish impersonating him but some four other fictitious people as well!

***SPOILERS*** It soon comes out that Herbert Konish had over the years become so bored with his life that he created a number of others for himself to keep him busy. And like the kind and loving husband that he is to his wife Marilyn, Jean Stapleton, he's also that kind of person to those that he comes in contact with in his other lives or existences! Now what can you do with a guy like this? Lock him up for his Christ-like behavior? Or have him committed to a mental institution for 24 hour around the clock observation? Or just let him go on with his life or lives and hope he doesn't end up dropping dead in the street from sheer exhaustion in living them!

In the end with his secret lives exposed Mr.Ripple or Herbert Konish went back to the life hat he's most accustom to as just Mr.Herbert Konish. But the impact that he made on those he helped in his other lives will never be forgotten. Even though from now on he'll only be nothing but a fading but pleasant memory to all of them.