the st. valentines day massacre (Film:1967)
Fandago's (Dan Pavlides) Summary of the Movie:
Corman produced this graphically violent chronicle of the Chicago gangster wars of the 1920s and the
events that lead to the bloody title showdown between rival mobsters Al Capone
(Jason Robards) and Bugs Moran (Ralph Meeker) that marked a brutal end to a
terrifying era. Fred Steiner's film score is effectively mixed with popular
songs from the 1920s, and the re-creation of gangster-era Chicago is a credit to
the set designers. Historibnnc and insightful narration is dramatically provided by
Paul Frees, giving the film the flavor of a docudrama. Jean Hale plays Moran's
gun moll, who is mercilessly kneed in the stomach while arguing over a fur coat.
Though The St. Valentine's Day massacre was heralded by critics at the time of
its initial release, their opinion of the film has changed with each decade as
they waver on the cinematic value of all of Corman's work. Audiences continue
to relish the film, which is often shown on the anniversary of the bloody
executions. Watch for Jack Nicholson as one of the unfortunate
victims.
Corman produced this graphically violent chronicle of the Chicago gangster wars of the 1920s and the
events that lead to the bloody title showdown between rival mobsters Al Capone
(Jason Robards) and Bugs Moran (Ralph Meeker) that marked a brutal end to a
terrifying era. Fred Steiner's film score is effectively mixed with popular
songs from the 1920s, and the re-creation of gangster-era Chicago is a credit to
the set designers. Historibnnc and insightful narration is dramatically provided by
Paul Frees, giving the film the flavor of a docudrama. Jean Hale plays Moran's
gun moll, who is mercilessly kneed in the stomach while arguing over a fur coat.
Though The St. Valentine's Day massacre was heralded by critics at the time of
its initial release, their opinion of the film has changed with each decade as
they waver on the cinematic value of all of Corman's work. Audiences continue
to relish the film, which is often shown on the anniversary of the bloody
executions. Watch for Jack Nicholson as one of the unfortunate
victims.
Capone: The Man and the Era
by: Laurence bergreen
Sypnosis: (www.powells.com)
In this brilliant history of Prohibition and its most notorious gangster,
acclaimed biographer Laurence Bergreen takes us to the gritty streets of Chicago
where Al Capone forged his sinister empire. Bergreen shows the seedy and
glamorous sides of the age, the rise of Prohibition, the illicit liquor trade,
the battlefield that was Chicago. Delving beyond the Capone mythology. Bergreen
finds a paradox: a coldblooded killer, thief, pimp, and racketeer who was also a
devoted son and father; a self-styled Robin Hood who rose to the top of
organized crime. Capone is a masterful portrait of an extraordinary time and of
the one man who reigned supreme over it all, Al Capone.
In this brilliant history of Prohibition and its most notorious gangster,
acclaimed biographer Laurence Bergreen takes us to the gritty streets of Chicago
where Al Capone forged his sinister empire. Bergreen shows the seedy and
glamorous sides of the age, the rise of Prohibition, the illicit liquor trade,
the battlefield that was Chicago. Delving beyond the Capone mythology. Bergreen
finds a paradox: a coldblooded killer, thief, pimp, and racketeer who was also a
devoted son and father; a self-styled Robin Hood who rose to the top of
organized crime. Capone is a masterful portrait of an extraordinary time and of
the one man who reigned supreme over it all, Al Capone.