Review: The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three
Four gunmen, headed by ice-cold Brit Mr. Blue (Robert Shaw) hijack the title NYC subway train, asking for a million dollars within an hour- or one passenger will die per minute. Mr. Blue is aided by disgruntled former conductor Mr. Green (Martin Balsam), volatile, ex-communicated mafia guy Mr. Gray (Hector Elizondo), and the rather quiet Mr. Brown (Earl Hindman, later of “Home Improvement” semi-fame). The deadly serious Mr. Blue is matched against transit cop Garber (Walter Matthau), who listens to Mr. Blue’s demands, tries to keep things calm whilst the authorities and the city Mayor (Lee Wallace) scramble. Meanwhile, he also spends time speculating with his cop buddy Jerry Stiller as to how the hell these loons are planning on getting away with this crazy scheme. Tony Roberts turns up as Warren LaSalle the Deputy Mayor, whilst Doris Roberts (pre- “Raymond” ) is the Mayor’s wife, who suggests the Mayor will have 18 sure votes if he pays the ransom (there are 18 passengers). ...