Honestly, who wouldn't want their bank robbed by this guy? (Photo from Yahoo! Movies) In times of political and economic turmoil, it's common for villains to become heroes in the eyes of the public. From Robin Hood and Guy Fawkes in England to the outlaws of the American West, notoriety can become an admirable trait. One of the most popular figures of this ilk was John Dillinger, the (in)famous bank robber. Despite a short career spanning just over a decade (most of which he actually spent in jail), Dillinger became one of the newly formed FBI's most wanted criminals and a star in America's media. With his flashy style, leading-man good looks, charming demeanor, and creative robbery tactics, it's not surprising that Dillinger was embraced by the public. Moreover, his crime sprees occurred during an era when most Americans were feeling the effects of the Great Depression; thus, he (and other '30s era outlaws like Bonnie and Clyde) were viewed largely as latter-day Robin Hoods (albeit armed with machine guns, rather than with bows and arrows). The exploits of the Dillinger Gang (whose members included Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd and George "Babyface" Nelson) were legendary; among Dillinger's supposed (mis)adventures were two jail breaks (one using a fake gun made of wood), staging a bank holdup as a movie shoot, pretending to be a bank security expert to gain access to vaults, and stealing an estimated $300,000 from various Midwestern banks (equivalent to nearly $5 million today!). Dillinger also dated a series of beautiful women and was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. Dillinger's death became nearly as legendary as his life. While attending a film ("Manhattan Melodrama") at Chicago's Biograph Theater, one of his girlfriends, Anna Sage (who became known as "the woman in red"), tipped off the FBI as to Dillinger's identity; the agents then shot him multiple times, and he died in the theatre's alley. Or did he? Several discrepancies with Dillinger's body and forensic evidence led many to believe the man who had been shot had been an imposter and that the real Dillinger was still alive. That story is unlikely, but it remains just another extraordinary aspect of Dillinger's brief life and (still living) legend -- such as that part of him ended up in the Smithsonian. Today marks the opening of Michael Mann's highly-anticipated film "Public Enemies," which details the various exploits of Dillinger (played by Johnny Depp), his relationship with singer Billie Frechette (Oscar winner Marion Cotillard), and the efforts of FBI special agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) to capture him. The movie's release couldn't be more timely, considering current economic circumstances. It's likely to rekindle interest in Dillinger but will, hopefully, deter any would-be Robin Hoods from following in his footsteps. Perhaps his most lasting legacy is the reminder that crime does not pay. Suggested Sites... Public Enemy #1 - PBS "American Life" feature about the life and crimes of John Dillinger. "Dillinger" (1945) - watch the first Dillinger film, starring Lawrence Tierney. Dillinger On Screen - synopsis of "Dillinger," "Public Enemies," and other movies about John Herbert Dillinger. Bryan Burrough - official site for the author of "Public Enemies," the book upon which the movie is based. FBI Most Wanted Lists - crime may not pay, but it sure can make you popular.

Directory categories: John Dillinger, Public Enemies, Johnny Depp, FBI History, Outlaws

Archived under: 1930s, Actors, American History, Biographies, Celebrities, Chicago, Crime, Criminals, Dead Celebrities, Detectives, History, Law Enforcement, Movie Theatres, Movies, Mythology and Folklore, Society and Culture, United States, Urban Legends, Villains

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Dashiell Hammett poses as "The Thin Man" If you don’t know anything about Dashiell Hammett, just dive into "The Maltese Falcon" or any of his numerous pulp magazine stories, and you'll get a glimpse of his real life. But everything you read will be either partially true or flat-out wrong, depending on where you stand. Born on a Maryland farm on May 27, 1894, Samuel Dashiell Hammett soon dropped out of school and into a series of low-paying jobs. In 1915, he was hired as an operative -- a "private eye" -- by the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. While driving an ambulance during World War I, he contracted tuberculosis, forcing him to choose a post-war career that was less strenuous than tailing deadbeat husbands: writing. His inspiration wasn't hard to find: using his experience as a Pinkerton, he started writing short detective stories for the pulp magazine "Black Mask," becoming one of the fathers of "hard-boiled" fiction: a genre that revels in stories of violence, sex, and money that take place in the meanest streets and shabbiest alleys of urban America. (Raymond Chandler -- no mean writer himself -- said that not only did Hammett create a new American language for fiction, but also "gave murder back to the kind of people that commit it for reasons, not just to provide a corpse.") Hammett's first major creation was the otherwise-unnamed "Continental Op." In 1934, he wrote the blockbuster novel "The Thin Man," which introduced retired detective Nick Charles and his socialite wife Nora (based on his real-life longtime partner Lillian Hellman). Later that year, a blockbuster film was made of the novel, catapulting stars William Powell and Myrna Loy into stardom and sparking a series of six films featuring the Charleses. But Hammett's most enduring creation was detective Samuel Spade, who roamed the mean streets of pre-war San Francisco, where Hammett himself lived. John Huston's 1941 film adaptation of the "Falcon" made a superstar of Humphrey Bogart and turned San Francisco into the epitome of the noir city, with its rolling fog adding to the mystery to the plot. Hammett’s writing career was short but lucrative. Although he wrote only between 1922 and 1934, he turned out numerous short stories, and all of his five novels ("Red Harvest," "The Dain Curse," "The Maltese Falcon," The Glass Key," and "The Thin Man") were turned into successful films -- some more than once. After years of drinking and womanizing in Hollywood, Hammett embraced left-wing activism and joined the Communist Party in 1937. During World War II, he pulled strings to enlist as a private in the U.S. Army, but his political convictions led him to prison for five months in 1951, when he refused to testify at the trial of four Communists accused of conspiring against the U.S. government. He was blacklisted during the McCarthy era, chased by the IRS for back taxes, and died of lung cancer in 1961, in alcoholic poverty. Ironically enough, despite being called an enemy of his country for his Communist views, the veteran of two World Wars was awarded a burial plot at Arlington National Cemetery. Suggested Sites... Shadowing Dashiell Hammett - every clue you need to solve Hammett's life mystery The Dashiell Hammett tour - fans of the author can stride along his footsteps by exploring some of San Francisco noir landmarks. John's Grill Marks Its Centennial - one of Hammett's -- and Sam Spade's -- favorite restaurants. Dashiell Hammett - Mike Grost examines Hammett's writing style, themes, and plots. NPR: Hammett's Maltese Falcon, 75 Years Later - audio report about the legacy of Hammett's most famous novel.

Directory categories: Dashiell Hammett, Harboiled Fiction, Pulp Fiction, Mystery Writers, The Maltese Falcon

Archived under: 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, American History, Authors, Biographies, Birthdays, Communism, Communists, Crime, Detectives, Fiction, Murder, Mysteries, San Francisco, WWI, WWII, Writers, Writing

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William "Captain" Kidd When we envision a pirate, we usually have the fictional variety in mind. In books and movies, the pirate is typically a romantic hero; a noble (and often wrongfully accused) freedom fighter -- or an effeminate eye-liner loving prankster. But we often forget that pirates were (and are) real people, far different from the ideal we imagine. Yes, they sailed ships and some even buried treasure, but the original pirates were often just men (and women) caught up in the politics of the day, but without the connections (or the right PR) to back them up. The most infamous example of this kind of pirate was Captain Kidd. Born in Scotland in the mid-17th century, William Kidd gained success as a sailor and officially became a privateer during the Nine Year's War, conducting raids for the British on the French in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean. In 1696, the Whig-led English government asked Kidd to lead an attack on a group of pirates suspected of aiding the enemy French. However, this expedition was a failure, as Kidd faced constant threats of mutiny from his crew and was branded a pirate by the Royal Navy, due to his refusal to follow orders. He was arrested and sent to London (where a new Tory ministry was in power) to stand trial for piracy and murder. Kidd was found guilty and was executed by hanging on May 23, 1701. His body was then hung in an iron cage overlooking the River Thames as a warning to future pirates. There are many who view Kidd’s death as mistake of political fortune, with Kidd as the unlucky pawn caught in a power struggle between Tories and Whigs in Parliament. While Kidd certainly committed acts of piracy, privateering was a legal and realistic part of maritime warfare during the 17th and 18th centuries. And the English government certainly reaped the benefits of his early activities, and declared Kidd a pirate only after he had ceased being a useful military weapon. Kidd's fate was similar to other sailors and soldiers, many of whom turned to piracy only to survive tumultuous economic and political times. And as we confront modern piracy today, the legacy of William Kidd should not be forgotten. Suggested Sites... Captain Kidd: The Movie - watch the 1945 film starring Charles Laughton online. Shipwreck! - National Geographic special about Kidd's adventures. Oak Island Money Pit - visit (one of) the supposed burial grounds of Kidd's treasure. Sid Meier's Pirates! - video game featuring Captain Kidd.

Directory categories: Captain William Kidd, Piracy, Pirates and Buccaneers, Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean", 17th Century

Archived under: 17th Century, Adventure, Anniversaries, Crime, Criminals, England, History, Military, Mythology and Folklore, Pirates, Sailing, U.K. History, United Kingdom

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Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb's mug shots On May 21, 1924, two extraordinarily intelligent and affluent University of Chicago students by the names of Nathan Freudenthal Leopold, Jr. and Richard A. Loeb lured 14-year-old Bobby Franks into their rented car, struck him with a chisel, and stuffed a sock into his mouth, killing him. They doused Franks with hydrochloric acid in an attempt to impede identification and left the body north of Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana. The horrific pre-meditated crime, born not of neither revenge or greed, was committed simply for the "thrill" (a word that's often associated with them.) They believed themselves to be "Nietzschean Übermenschen," not only capable of committing a "perfect crime," but also entitled to do so. Perhaps it's that sinister motivation that makes Leopold and Loeb such fascinating subject matter and verdant fodder for filmmakers, writers, and artists. There have been no fewer than six films based on the case, including Alfred Hitchcock's "Rope" (adapted from Patrick Hamilton's play); "Compulsion" (taken from the novel by Meyer Levin), and starring Orson Welles as defense attorney Clarence Darrow; the homoerotically-charged "Swoon," and Austrian director Michael Haneke's "Funny Games" (along with his recent shot-by-shot American remake.) Add those to the pile of novels and historical accounts, plays, graphic novels, TV references, and an acclaimed off-Broadway musical, and their enduring influence on popular culture is clear. Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb were tried and convicted of kidnapping and murder, and (thanks to Darrow convincing the jury not to invoke the death penalty) each was sentenced to life in prison. In 1936, while in Joliet Prison, Loeb was attacked and killed by another inmate who accused him of sexual assault. Leopold was released on parole in 1958 and removed himself to Puerto Rico, where he died of a heart attack in 1971. Interestingly enough, Bobby Franks was not the first victim of their choosing. Eleven-year-old Armand Deutsch had originally been targeted in the meticulous planning of the crime, but on the day of the murder, Deutsch was picked up by the family chauffeur for a dental appointment and Franks was selected instead. Deutsch went on to become a Hollywood producer, socialite, and a part of Ronald Reagan's "Kitchen Cabinet." He died at the age of 92, presumably peacefully with a healthy smile. Suggested Sites... Leopold and Loeb.com - information on the crime, the murderers, the victim, and the trial. Jazz Age Chicago: The Leopold and Loeb Case - offers a collection of documents, photographs, and articles related to the murder case. The Murder that Wouldn't Die - features information on the current Northwestern University Library exhibit on Leopold and Loeb. Famous American Trials: Illinois v. Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb - an account of the trial by Prof. Douglas Linder of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. "Superior" from Thrill Me - watch a Stephen Dolginoff and Doug Kreeger perform a number from the Leopold and Loeb musical, "Thrill Me."

Directory categories: Leopold and Loeb Murder Case, Defense Attorney Clarence Darrow (1857-1938), Musicals: Thrill Me, Crime, Homicide

Archived under: 1920s, Alfred Hitchcock, American History, Anniversaries, Chicago, Crime, Criminals, Death, History, Legal Cases, Movies, Murder, Musicals, Orson Welles, United States

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April Fool! (Photo by David Merret) Ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your wallets! Today is April Fools' Day, so you're probably on high alert for whoopee cushions or other forms of merriment thought up by your local prankster. But this is also high season for more serious kind of tricks. As the recession continues, scammers come out of the woodwork. For as long as money has existed, people have made careers out of separating fools from it. Modern life makes it easier for scammers to find us, and makes schemes more difficult to avoid. Such high-profile cases as Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme illustrate how much damage even just one clever swindler can cause. Even less-sophisticated methods can be surprisingly effective in bringing out the greed in people. A couple of years ago, taxpayers in Michigan lost over a million dollars after the funds were embezzled and sent to a Nigerian scammer by a county treasurer (yes, a treasurer). These days, we all need to be vigilant in our awareness to avoid becoming a victim. Some old adages ring true here, in particular "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is." If you’re tempted by an offer, do some research first. A recent email scam has been bilking folks based on the promise of a stimulus check. In such a case, a quick visit to the official IRS website reveals that those emails are a scam. Above all, be cautious. Even some of the sites that purport to assist people in dire straits may be trying to sell you snake oil or acquire your email address for spamming purposes. It can be a challenge to retain a kind and trusting nature in a world full of confidence men. But as even Sesame Street's adorable Ernie can tell you: beware of strangers selling invisible ice cream cones. Suggested Sites... Snopes.com - gives the scoop behind scams, hoaxes, and urban legends too. Internet Crime Complaint Center - team of government bureaus dedicated to pursuing cyber crime matters. U.S. Cyber Alert System - info to help you avoid phishing and other cyber-dangers. 419 Eater - just for fun. Read about people's creative responses to email scammers.

Directory categories: April Fools' Day, Internet Fraud, Nigerian Scams, Pyramid and Ponzi Schemes, Phishing

Archived under: Consumer Advocacy, Crime, Email, Hoaxes, Internet, Issues and Causes, Sesame Street, Spam

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