Okay, so you’ve probably never heard of “Cain’s Hundred,” and that’s a shame. This 1961-1962 crime drama, produced by NBC, is a fascinating look at organized crime from the unusual perspective of a lawyer who works within the mob rather than against it. It’s a different kind of show from its contemporaries. It presents a stark and morally ambiguous world that’s worth checking out.
The premise centers on Nicholas “Nick” Cain, played with cool detachment by Peter Mark Richman. Cain isn’t a cop or a private eye. He is a former criminal defense attorney who’s now become a key figure in a shadowy syndicate. The show isn’t about typical gangsters committing street crime. It’s about the upper echelons of organized crime. The show focuses on the business side of illicit activity. The “Hundred” in the title refers to the top 100 mob figures that Cain has identified, and each episode revolves around one of them.
What makes “Cain’s Hundred” so compelling is its approach. Rather than being a straightforward cops-versus-robbers format, the stories are often presented as case studies of corruption. Cain, with his own sense of justice, is an intriguing character. He is not a typical good guy, and his methods are not always ethical, but the audience gets the sense he is working towards a goal, even if that goal is not readily apparent. The show explores his internal struggle as he works within this criminal world. It’s a unique take on the genre, and the writing is surprisingly intelligent, creating stories that are more about character and choices than shootouts. The show creates a feeling of moral gray areas, leaving the audience to question where the line between right and wrong really lies.
Visually, “Cain’s Hundred” has the stylish look of early 1960s television, with sharp suits and smoky back rooms. The direction is effective, and each episode has a clean, crisp feel. It’s a more sophisticated production than other network crime dramas of the time. The performances are all solid, with Richman carrying the show with an understated authority, and the supporting cast does well to create compelling adversaries and morally questionable allies. It is a show that has not aged as badly as you might think. Its exploration of power, corruption, and the human cost of crime is still relevant today.
Cain’s Hundred is a NBC production.
Years ran: 1961-1962
Number of Episodes: 30
Creator: Paul Monash
Cast: Peter Mark Richman,
