Crime drama which ran on NBC for parts of 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.