Boston, 1920. Italian immigrants Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, known for their anarchist beliefs, stand accused of robbery and murder. Their political leanings are used as evidence against them, but defense attorney Fred Moore is convinced of their innocence.

The Depression is over and everybody wants an even bigger piece of the action. Jackie Gleason, Mac Davis and Teri Garr try to out-sting both Oliver Reed, a notorious gangster previously stung by this group and now out for revenge and profit, and Karl Malden, a local racketeer.