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Mafia-Walking-Tour
This popular and exciting walking tour explores the former social clubs, homes and haunts of some of the most influential 20th century mobsters, while uncovering the truth behind many Mafia legends.
We also discuss the Italian immigrant experience and the social, political and economical conditions which allowed organized gangsterism to thrive in the slums of New York City by the turn of the century.
Mafia Walking Tour info: http://www.leshp.org/walking-tours/60-mafia-tour
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The Making of the Mob (2015)
Completely inaccurate historically!
Much of the storyline was based on "The Last Testament of Lucky Luciano" -- supposedly taken from the "diaries" of Lucky Luciano -- which has been proved to be nothing but fairy tales. When it was first published, the FBI stated, "This book has no value to the FBI or anybody for that matter" and "It is unlikely that a mob boss would keep a diary, and if he did, whoever possessed it would not be alive to write a book." The Chief of the US Narcotics Bureau in Rome state, "Martin Gosch (author) is untrustworthy, a liar and an opportunist." Yet Hollywood (and many "experts") still use this book as a basis for research and entertainment. ****Just a few facts from episode one: -The characters featured in the show did NOT use Tommy Guns. In fact, Tommy Guns were extremely rare in NYC. -Luciano DID NOT create the Five Families -- Salvatore Maranzano did. -Luciano, Lansky and Siegel did not meet Frank Costello and Masseria like shown in the episode. -Luciano did not start working for Masseria like shown in the episode. -Rocco Valenti was gunned down two days after the failed hit attempt on Masseria -- not "weeks later." And the hit was an ambush by eight gunman in front of John's Restaurant on 12th Street as Valenti showed up with two bodyguards to a sit down called by Masseria. A seven year old girl and a street sweeper were shot in the crossfire. Nothing like in the series. Plus there is no proof that Luciano pulled the trigger or was even present. -Luciano, a Sicilian, can not pronounce the word "Consigliere"? (The "G" is silent.) -Half of the "experts" interviewed could not even pronounce "Luciano" correctly. (It's Lu-CHI-ano") These are just a FEW of the many inaccurate things in the first 30 minutes alone of the first episode -- Don't expect it to get any better from here. Come take a tour of the real mafia history and learn about all the Hollywood misinformation out there.
The Public Enemy (1931)
Absolute Classic
James Cagney, born in the slums of NYC's Lower East Side, brings a visceral spirit of the "American Gangster" to the screen that few have duplicated since. It was Cagney's unrefined, working-class demeanor that reportedly landed him the job, as Hollywood was seeking a way to relate to a American audience struggling through the Great Depression.
As a testament to Cagney's toughness and dedication, it is said he lost a tooth during a careless fight scene in The Public Enemy, but never broke character. Hard to imagine that his first professional gig was that of a cross-dressing, dancing sailor just a decade earlier :)
This movie is a classic and one of the best gangster movies ever made. Highly recommended.
The Godfather Part II (1974)
A few historic flaws, but one of the best glimpses into turn-of-century NYC
What else can be said about The Godfather series? One small gripe: The storyline shows young Vito Corleone (Robert Deniro) murder the local boss, then basically take control of the neighborhood. Historically, there would have been a dozen other guys in line to take the boss's spot -- young Vito, with no real connections outside of his petty thief neighbor, would have been disposed of immediately. In real life, bosses were bred into the position or it was taken hostilely from the inside. By the era that this movie portrays, Sicilian black handers and Neapolitan Camorra (among others) were fairly organized -- But, hey, its a (great) movie :)