So I just finished watching the movie PUBLIC ENEMIES. I have always been interested in this topic but just renewed my fascination after watching this movie. I am a big fan of John Dillinger. Who is your favorite?
"Depression" era gangsters & mobsters
- Thread starter straight_razor_dave
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Any of the dedicated law enforcement officers who did their best to capture those criminals.
Well, without trying to give arch criminal any real due, I would have to say that John Gotti was the slickest looking. If he would have lived in the Golden Era (fashion, not crime!) he would have been the most famous Don of all time. Heck, he cut a dapper enough image in modern Italian suits. I think Dilinger probably fit the stereotypical look more than the others. Heck, he gave Hollywood he image. The rest of those guys looked meaner than seven hundred dollars as my old mum used to say.
Regards, Todd
Regards, Todd
I don' know chaps. Old Bugsy may be the slickest. He was also after the depression. I think. I also realise the OP was just asking about the men themselves and not necessarily the looks department. That was just my take. Probably the most dangerous was Albert Anastasia. Here is a pic of old Bugs
Regards, Todd
Regards, Todd
If you like the movie Public Enemies you will love the book by Bryan Burrough the film was based on.
The author does an outstanding job of comparing the organized and competent gangsters of the era with the newly formed and very inexperienced F.B.I.
It is fascinating to see the beginnings of the bureau, their "baptism by fire", and subsequent war on crime against these public enemies.
It's a great read!
The author does an outstanding job of comparing the organized and competent gangsters of the era with the newly formed and very inexperienced F.B.I.
It is fascinating to see the beginnings of the bureau, their "baptism by fire", and subsequent war on crime against these public enemies.
It's a great read!
While I prefer "Vintage" razors, "Contemporary" gangsters are head and shoulders above the ones in the history books. People like Lloyd Blankfein (Goldman Sachs CEO) and Jamie Dimon (JP Morgan Chase CEO) are the gangsters for our times. And they are good. Frighteningly good.
Where is the modern Eliot Ness?
Where is the modern Eliot Ness?
True. Aspiring hoods should have a picture of Bernie Madoff hanging in their office.
Agreed
I'm waiting for the "who is your favorite serial killer/rapist" thread.
I tend to think of it more as The Prohibition that spawned organized crime than The Depression.
For his pure ability to give law enforcement the slip and make them look foolish, you can't beat Dillinger.
However, overall I agree with ckirk. The real genius comes when you own the people who make the laws like Wall Street owns Congress. I mean when you goof up due to criminally reckless gambling, the taxpayer covers the tab. What more could you ask for?
However, overall I agree with ckirk. The real genius comes when you own the people who make the laws like Wall Street owns Congress. I mean when you goof up due to criminally reckless gambling, the taxpayer covers the tab. What more could you ask for?
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Sitting in his SEC office watching porn.
+1
Without a doubt this is the truth. Without the extremely profitable bootlegging business, these gangsters would not have had the resources to build their huge crime syndicates.
That is correct. Prohibition contributed to the quick growth of organized crime in this country. Bootlegging liquor and running speakeasies was an extremely profitable, and more importantly in demand. It is hard to imagine organized crime not flourishing in such an environment.
Slash McCoy
I freehand dog rockets
While they weren't big time organized crime types, they did have a gang, they were active during the depression, and they went out in a blaze of glory. Bonnie and Clyde. American Icons and Legends. They lived and loved short, fast, and furious. And the 1967 movie was terriff. (Kids... don't do their stuff... it sucks getting shot full of holes)
"The Public Enemy" and the original "Scarface" (the original 1932 version, not the 1983 remake with Al Pacino, though the remake is worth watching.) were the alltime best gangster flicks.
You have to admire Meyer Lansky... the guy never did a day in jail and he was a hugely influential figure within organized crime in the postwar era, so of course that is out of the depression-era category.
Of course, it must be remembered that these were all criminals who stole, terrorized, and even killed innocent folks.
"The Public Enemy" and the original "Scarface" (the original 1932 version, not the 1983 remake with Al Pacino, though the remake is worth watching.) were the alltime best gangster flicks.
You have to admire Meyer Lansky... the guy never did a day in jail and he was a hugely influential figure within organized crime in the postwar era, so of course that is out of the depression-era category.
Of course, it must be remembered that these were all criminals who stole, terrorized, and even killed innocent folks.
The distance of time and myth does amazing things...movies with nice duds and snappy patter make homicidal monsters look attractive. First Western outlaws like Billy the Kid, then the likes of Dillinger.
Since we have no shortage of heavily armed, murderous thugs making a buck off of illegal intoxicants and robbery today, I imagine future generation will be treated to highly romanticized versions of our current crop of gangsters.
Since we have no shortage of heavily armed, murderous thugs making a buck off of illegal intoxicants and robbery today, I imagine future generation will be treated to highly romanticized versions of our current crop of gangsters.
I would go with either Meyer Lansky or Salvatore "Charlie" Luciano. One never did a lick of jail time and yet was one of the most powerful men in the history of the mafia, the other is credited with bringing the organization to organized crime. Both of these guys were instumental in making the mob the force that it was for so long.
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I wonder what Gotti was wearing when he chainsawed that guy in half while he was still alive?
I really get a kick out of just how popular a topic the mafia is and how so many people really believe that they were somehow respectable criminals, only harming others who were already involved and not troubling the average person etc. etc. They were and are all lowlives who rob and harm everyone else in society for their own gain.
I don't think the movie business and so forth does a very good thing by romanticizing that kind of lifestyle and the figures within it. Organized crime guys are as bad and probably worse than individual murderers, thieves, rapists etc. etc. Some people actually believe these guys are like some sort of gentlemen..
All the classic organized crime groups have been greatly displaced by groups originating from prison gangs.
I don't think the movie business and so forth does a very good thing by romanticizing that kind of lifestyle and the figures within it. Organized crime guys are as bad and probably worse than individual murderers, thieves, rapists etc. etc. Some people actually believe these guys are like some sort of gentlemen..
All the classic organized crime groups have been greatly displaced by groups originating from prison gangs.
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