TV Reviews : ‘Against the Mob’ Long on ‘40s Chic, Short on All Else

We have a great affection for the ‘40s. Life was simpler, or so it seemed. Men wore hats and smoked, women had bulky hair and you could tell all the cars apart.

Well, simpler isn’t always better. For example, “Man Against the Mob: The Chinatown Murders,” airing Sunday night at 9 on Channels 4, 36 and 39, with George Peppard returning in a second rendition of L.A. mob cop Frank Doakey circa 1945.

You know the simple plot from early in the opening act. Ex-pug Buddy (acted with extra enthusiasm by Charles Haid) witnesses the murder of a small-time Chinese mug. It looks like new muscle is trying to take over the Chinatown rackets, and of course it’s cops on the take.

Doakey is a rough, tough detective of the old rough, tough school, and he and a small band of investigators--just enough to make a TV series--walk through the pedestrian script without much difficulty.

Peppard looks good in a hat and is properly wiseacre. He doesn’t appear to extend himself much, which is the problem for the whole adventure. Everybody stands around looking ‘40s.

The ambience is great. The cars are fabulous and whenever there is some action, they never damage the cars. They only shoot out the windows. Whew.