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(narrator) Previously on "The
Making of the Mob: New York"
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(gunshot)
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Charles "Lucky" Luciano
and his crew,
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Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel,
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Frank Costello,
and Vito Genovese,
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have risen from the chaotic
streets of New York City
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to build a nationwide
criminal empire.
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All right, drink up.
Alla salute!
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(all) Salute! God bless.
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(narrator)
And, at the height of his power,
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Luciano expands
his operation...
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(applause)
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...into the dangerous business
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of prostitution.
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It's a dirty business.
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It's a business.
It's trouble.
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(narrator) But when Luciano
gets too invested,
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special prosecutor
Thomas Dewey...
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What do you have
on Luciano?
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(narrator)
...seizes the opportunity
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to take down the kingpin
of the New York underworld.
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We are entirely prepared
to prosecute Lucky Luciano.
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The only problem is that
he has fled to Arkansas.
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(narrator)
After months on the run,
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Luciano is finally arrested
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and forced to face
Thomas Dewey in court.
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(judge)
Court will come to order.
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(narrator) After days of damning
testimony from over 50 prostitutes...
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(Dewey) Let the record show
that the witness is pointing at
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Charles "Lucky" Luciano.
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(narrator) Luciano makes
the unprecedented move
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to take the stand
in his own defense,
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a decision that could
destroy the Mafia...
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Mr. Luciano...
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(narrator)
...forever.
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♪♪
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♪ This ain't no time ♪
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♪ To feel sorry
for myself ♪
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♪ I can't help it ♪
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♪ 'Cause there's nobody else ♪
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♪ I'll walk these streets ♪
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♪ With your name
on my tongue ♪
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♪ But I dare not speak ♪
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♪ Only there it belongs ♪
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♪ There's got to be
a better way ♪
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♪ Better way ♪♪
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(gunshot)
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♪♪
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(narrator) After years of building
a case against the New York Mafia,
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prosecutor Thomas Dewey
is finally face to face
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with the most powerful Mob boss
in America,
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Charles "Lucky" Luciano.
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With the fate of the underworld
hanging in the balance,
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Luciano makes
an unprecedented move
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and takes the stand
in his own defense.
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(Rudy Giuliani)
From a lawyer's point of view,
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it's a terrible mistake
to put a Mafia member
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on the witness stand.
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Because they think
they're very smart,
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and they're not as smart
as the lawyer.
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They think
they can get away with
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what they usually get away with
in life, which is to charm.
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And when you have the judge
telling you,
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"No, you've gotta answer
that question,"
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it's a little different
than being able to
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talk your way
out of something.
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Mr. Dewey.
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Mr. Luciano...
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you've denied
any acquaintance at all
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with any of the young women
who've testified
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as to your involvement
in the prostitution racket.
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Is that correct?
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Yes.
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Mr. Luciano...
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Your tax records
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indicate that
you made $22,000
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over the last
four years,
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and yet you live
in a massive suite
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in the Waldorf Astoria,
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New York's
most expensive hotel.
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How is that possible?
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I got a good deal.
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Oh.
(laughing)
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Yes, I suppose
it would have to be.
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(gallery murmuring)
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You've denied
any acquaintance at all
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with any of the individuals
that I have mentioned,
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including Al Capone.
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Yeah.
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And how do you
explain...
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phone records
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from your residence
at the Waldorf
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showing calls to all
of these individuals,
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including Mr. Capone
in Chicago?
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Someone else must have
been using my phone.
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(gallery murmuring)
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(laughing)
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(Dewey)
Honestly, Mr. Luciano...
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do you really expect
this jury to believe,
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given your history,
that you have never
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made the acquaintance
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of notorious mobster
Al Capone?!
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They believe what
they're led to believe!
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(gallery murmuring)
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So...
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every one of the nearly
70 witnesses
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who have testified
against you is a liar?
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And only you,
Charles "Lucky" Luciano,
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are telling the truth?
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I have no reason to lie
to anyone in this courtroom.
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Gentlemen of the jury,
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what you see before you
is a simple display
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of sanctimonious perjury.
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At the end of which I'm sure
not one of you has any doubt
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that before you
sits not a gambler,
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not a bookmaker,
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not just one of the most
powerful gangsters in America,
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but a common pimp...
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guilty of forcing women
into prostitution.
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I've nothing further,
Your Honor.
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(gallery chattering)
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(Rudy Giuliani) The worst
witnesses in their own defense
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are very often, they say,
Mafia members and politicians,
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'cause they lie so much.
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When you get away
with lying so much,
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you don't realize that when
there's a really smart,
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tough guy
on the other end of it,
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you can get absolutely
destroyed on the witness stand.
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(narrator)
With time running out,
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Luciano knows that
if he wants to sway the jury,
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he'll need to exercise his power
outside the courtroom.
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(Ellen Poulsen)
Lucky's defense team took
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an unorthodox route
and tried to bribe a juror.
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(Thomas Dewey III)
I think it's very difficult
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for people in our time
really to understand
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how widespread the corruption
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in New York City
at that time was.
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They had substantial segments
of law enforcement
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and the courts
in their pocket.
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And that is the way
they did business.
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(gavel pounding)
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(whispering
indistinctly)
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Mr. Foreman, has the jury
reached a verdict?
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Yes, we have.
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How say you,
gentlemen of the jury?
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Do you find the defendant
Luciano guilty or not guilty?
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♪♪
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(foreman)
We find the defendant...
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...guilty as charged,
Your Honor.
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(gallery chattering)
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(Rudy Giuliani)
Tom Dewey put together this case
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using prostitutes
and was able
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to successfully
prosecute Luciano,
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which people thought
was impossible.
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And he, in fact,
had prosecuted
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the most significant member
of the Mafia.
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(narrator) Luciano's attempt to
buy members of the jury fails...
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(gavel pounding)
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...and the notorious gangster
is found guilty
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of 62 counts
of compulsory prostitution.
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♪♪
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(Richard Hammer) Tom Dewey
was looking to make himself
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a major figure,
and he did.
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(narrator)
After his victory over Luciano,
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Dewey's name makes
national headlines,
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and his crime fighting
exploits
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inspire a popular radio show
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called "Gang Busters."
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(Ellen Poulsen)
He became a national figure
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for having become
a crime buster
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of epic proportions.
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This was built upon the name
that he made for himself
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during Lucky's trial
in 1936.
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(narrator) While Dewey enjoys the
spotlight in New York City...
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350 miles away, in a remote town
on the border of Canada...
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(man)
No, no. No, no!
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No. No! Aah!
No, sir, please don't...
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(narrator) ...Lucky Luciano has
been sentenced to 50 years
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in a maximum security
prison.
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(Thomas Dewey III) I think my
grandfather was somewhat surprised
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at the severity of the sentence
that Luciano got
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on the prostitution charges.
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But I don't think the idea
of having him in prison
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even for that length of time
caused him to lose any sleep.
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(inmates chattering)
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Luciano got, what,
50-, 60-year sentence for--
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for being a pimp.
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Certainly wasn't sentenced
simply as a pimp.
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He was sentenced because he was
a major organized crime figure
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in the United States.
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Hey, it's
Lucky Luciano.
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(sighs)
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♪♪
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(Richard Hammer)
When Luciano went to prison,
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and they sent him
to Dannemora,
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which is the last place
he wanted to be,
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this is not living
in the Waldorf Towers.
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This is not going to nightclubs
every night.
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(inmates chattering)
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This is not the world
he wanted.
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(narrator) The most
powerful mobster in America
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must now figure out
how to run his empire
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from an eight-
by-ten-foot cell.
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(cell door clanging shut)
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♪♪
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00:11:04,067 --> 00:11:06,334
(bird calling)
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00:11:06,336 --> 00:11:09,970
(bell ringing)
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00:11:13,207 --> 00:11:15,274
(narrator)
Lucky Luciano has begun serving
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a 50-year sentence
in upstate New York.
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00:11:19,311 --> 00:11:21,211
But he knows his crew
in the city
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00:11:21,213 --> 00:11:25,014
is working tirelessly
on a plan to set him free.
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00:11:25,016 --> 00:11:27,816
(man screaming)
No! No!
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00:11:31,854 --> 00:11:34,288
(Richard Hammer)
Nobody thought at that point
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that Luciano was gonna
be in prison for 40 years.
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00:11:38,661 --> 00:11:41,995
Everybody was convinced
that he would win on an appeal
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00:11:41,997 --> 00:11:43,096
and he would be out.
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00:11:43,098 --> 00:11:44,864
(cart wheels rattling)
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00:11:44,866 --> 00:11:49,268
("Collegiana" playing)
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00:11:49,270 --> 00:11:52,204
♪♪
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00:11:52,206 --> 00:11:55,240
♪ Collegiana, see how it's
done, easy as pie... ♪
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(narrator) As his lawyers
fight for an appeal,
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Luciano's crew funnels
him enough money
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00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:04,081
to put the prison guards
on his payroll.
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00:12:04,083 --> 00:12:08,018
(Selwyn Raab) Luciano practically
ran the prison he was in.
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00:12:08,020 --> 00:12:09,019
Wine?
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00:12:09,021 --> 00:12:10,920
What do you have?
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00:12:10,922 --> 00:12:12,688
(Selwyn Raab)
People took care of him.
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00:12:12,690 --> 00:12:14,289
He might be behind bars,
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00:12:14,291 --> 00:12:18,359
but he certainly wasn't
in solitary confinement.
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00:12:18,361 --> 00:12:20,094
Pepper?
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00:12:20,096 --> 00:12:21,261
Sure.
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00:12:21,263 --> 00:12:23,363
Luciano would get
the best steaks
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00:12:23,365 --> 00:12:25,865
and the b--
the best chopped meat.
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00:12:25,867 --> 00:12:28,133
Like in the scene
in "Goodfellas"
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00:12:28,135 --> 00:12:30,435
where Pauly Sorvino
cutting the--
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00:12:30,437 --> 00:12:32,403
the garlic
with a razor blade.
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And-- and it is like-- I think
it's like a little vacation.
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00:12:35,274 --> 00:12:37,974
Not that I wanna go on that kind
of a vacation.
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00:12:37,976 --> 00:12:40,843
♪♪
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00:12:42,378 --> 00:12:44,712
(narrator)
With the prison guards paid off,
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Luciano enjoys the luxuries
of the outside world,
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00:12:48,050 --> 00:12:51,317
including better clothing,
top-notch booze,
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00:12:51,319 --> 00:12:53,419
and furniture from home.
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00:12:53,421 --> 00:12:57,823
(Sal Polisi) I was in Lewisburg
Federal Penitentiary in 1974.
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00:12:57,825 --> 00:13:01,393
The Italian Mob ran the prison.
246
00:13:01,395 --> 00:13:03,795
Whatever we wanted,
we could have.
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00:13:03,797 --> 00:13:06,898
Whatever food we wanted,
whatever booze we wanted.
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00:13:06,900 --> 00:13:09,333
Even the warden knew that
the Italians ran the prison.
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00:13:14,305 --> 00:13:17,106
(narrator) With direct
phone access to New York,
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00:13:17,108 --> 00:13:20,476
the Mob boss can also run
his business from his cell,
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00:13:20,478 --> 00:13:23,879
and his associates can
come and go as they please.
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00:13:23,881 --> 00:13:26,014
(Luciano) What's going on
with my appeal, Meyer?
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00:13:27,983 --> 00:13:29,783
I gotta get
the hell out of here.
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00:13:29,785 --> 00:13:31,084
I'm starting
to go stir-crazy.
255
00:13:31,086 --> 00:13:32,752
Charlie, we're
working on it.
256
00:13:32,754 --> 00:13:35,020
You're "working on it."
257
00:13:35,022 --> 00:13:37,288
I'd like to see if one
of you guys were in here...
258
00:13:37,290 --> 00:13:38,956
and I tell you
I'm "working on it."
259
00:13:38,958 --> 00:13:40,857
What would you say,
Frank, huh?
260
00:13:40,859 --> 00:13:42,758
(Costello) Charlie, what
do you want us to do?
261
00:13:42,760 --> 00:13:44,359
It's gonna
take some time.
262
00:13:45,928 --> 00:13:48,095
We need to throw
some money at it, but...
263
00:13:48,097 --> 00:13:50,897
we can't
press too hard.
264
00:13:50,899 --> 00:13:52,932
Just sit tight, we're
gonna get you out of here.
265
00:13:57,370 --> 00:13:59,270
(narrator)
Back in New York,
266
00:13:59,272 --> 00:14:02,973
all major rulings are made
by the Mafia's governing board,
267
00:14:02,975 --> 00:14:05,976
known as the Commission...
268
00:14:05,978 --> 00:14:09,179
run by the heads
of the five New York families.
269
00:14:09,181 --> 00:14:10,346
Why is this not
gonna be an issue?
270
00:14:10,348 --> 00:14:12,014
Why does he not care?
271
00:14:12,016 --> 00:14:14,383
(narrator)
But, in Luciano's absence,
272
00:14:14,385 --> 00:14:17,919
the four remaining bosses
still meet in New York
273
00:14:17,921 --> 00:14:20,955
and must run their decisions
by the criminal kingpin
274
00:14:20,957 --> 00:14:23,524
350 miles upstate.
275
00:14:25,326 --> 00:14:27,860
Luciano knows he needs
stronger representation
276
00:14:27,862 --> 00:14:29,795
at the Commission,
277
00:14:29,797 --> 00:14:31,897
and until he can find
his way out of prison,
278
00:14:31,899 --> 00:14:35,066
he'll have to name
an acting boss of his family.
279
00:14:35,068 --> 00:14:36,400
(Oscar Goodman)
It's not easy being a person
280
00:14:36,402 --> 00:14:39,236
who's an organized
crime figure because,
281
00:14:39,238 --> 00:14:40,537
if they're at the top,
282
00:14:40,539 --> 00:14:42,872
there's always
somebody out there
283
00:14:42,874 --> 00:14:44,506
looking to knock them
off their perch.
284
00:14:44,508 --> 00:14:47,475
Other families
of these figures who--
285
00:14:47,477 --> 00:14:49,910
who want to take
your family's place.
286
00:14:49,912 --> 00:14:52,545
There's an awful lot of pressure
on you to keep your position.
287
00:14:52,547 --> 00:14:55,481
(narrator) Faced with the
biggest decision of his life,
288
00:14:55,483 --> 00:14:57,950
he turns to his
closest adviser,
289
00:14:57,952 --> 00:14:59,518
Meyer Lansky.
290
00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:01,820
How's the family?
291
00:15:01,822 --> 00:15:03,822
They're doing good.
292
00:15:05,858 --> 00:15:09,193
If you ask me, Frank's got
a lot more even hand than Vito.
293
00:15:09,195 --> 00:15:12,062
What set the Italians apart
294
00:15:12,064 --> 00:15:13,897
from the Irish
and Jewish gangs
295
00:15:13,899 --> 00:15:17,033
was the Irish and Jewish
gangs had no framework.
296
00:15:17,035 --> 00:15:20,302
And Lucky said,
"We've gotta have a structure."
297
00:15:20,304 --> 00:15:23,471
The organization is supreme,
298
00:15:23,473 --> 00:15:25,973
that even the boss
can be replaced.
299
00:15:25,975 --> 00:15:29,609
But the family
must function forever.
300
00:15:29,611 --> 00:15:34,046
(narrator) With the Mafia's strict
Sicilian code still in place,
301
00:15:34,048 --> 00:15:35,981
Luciano knows
the Jewish gangster
302
00:15:35,983 --> 00:15:37,415
can't be his acting boss.
303
00:15:41,353 --> 00:15:43,220
Instead, he'll
have to pick between
304
00:15:43,222 --> 00:15:46,089
the two Italian higher-ups
in his inner circle:
305
00:15:46,091 --> 00:15:49,091
Frank Costello
and Vito Genovese.
306
00:15:52,061 --> 00:15:55,930
(Rudy Giuliani) Frank Costello
was a gentleman gangster.
307
00:15:55,932 --> 00:15:57,598
Between Vito and him,
308
00:15:57,600 --> 00:16:00,233
Frank was the more intelligent,
the more gentlemanly,
309
00:16:00,235 --> 00:16:01,400
the more urbane.
310
00:16:01,402 --> 00:16:04,002
He was working
at an IQ level
311
00:16:04,004 --> 00:16:06,571
several rungs above Vito.
312
00:16:06,573 --> 00:16:09,307
(Selwyn Raab)
Costello was total opposite
313
00:16:09,309 --> 00:16:11,475
of Vito Genovese.
314
00:16:11,477 --> 00:16:13,343
And Vito Genovese
315
00:16:13,345 --> 00:16:16,512
was almost
a classical hoodlum.
316
00:16:16,514 --> 00:16:18,046
Tough guy.
317
00:16:18,048 --> 00:16:21,416
Killed at--
at the merest whim.
318
00:16:21,418 --> 00:16:26,354
(narrator) Frank Costello is one
of Luciano's closest advisors,
319
00:16:26,356 --> 00:16:30,891
the man who gave Luciano
his first break in the Mob...
320
00:16:30,893 --> 00:16:34,327
while Vito Genovese has been
a ruthless but loyal ally
321
00:16:34,329 --> 00:16:37,530
for over a decade.
322
00:16:37,532 --> 00:16:40,266
Luciano's choice
will determine
323
00:16:40,268 --> 00:16:42,501
the success
of his crime family
324
00:16:42,503 --> 00:16:45,270
and future
of the American Mob.
325
00:16:47,373 --> 00:16:49,207
(bird calling)
326
00:16:49,209 --> 00:16:52,910
(bell ringing)
327
00:16:58,050 --> 00:17:02,453
♪♪
328
00:17:02,455 --> 00:17:05,255
You both know
why you're here.
329
00:17:05,257 --> 00:17:08,091
Now, I respect
both of you equally.
330
00:17:08,093 --> 00:17:09,191
Thank you.
331
00:17:11,628 --> 00:17:14,663
But I'm naming Vito
head of the Luciano family.
332
00:17:17,700 --> 00:17:19,100
Thank you, Charlie.
333
00:17:19,102 --> 00:17:21,202
You won't
regret this.
334
00:17:25,273 --> 00:17:26,773
Congratulations,
Vito.
335
00:17:26,775 --> 00:17:28,508
Thanks, Frank.
336
00:17:30,644 --> 00:17:32,311
Vito, give me a second
to talk with Frank, all right?
337
00:17:32,313 --> 00:17:33,412
You got it.
338
00:17:35,548 --> 00:17:37,248
Let's have a drink.
339
00:17:42,052 --> 00:17:43,052
You don't have
to explain.
340
00:17:43,054 --> 00:17:45,421
Yes, I do.
341
00:17:45,423 --> 00:17:47,790
I want you to run
the business, Frank.
342
00:17:47,792 --> 00:17:50,292
I named Vito
head of the family.
343
00:17:50,294 --> 00:17:51,593
'Cause if I put
you in charge,
344
00:17:51,595 --> 00:17:53,461
you'd have a big target
on your back.
345
00:17:53,463 --> 00:17:56,063
I want you to stay
alive, you understand?
346
00:17:56,065 --> 00:17:57,230
Let Vito have
all the headaches,
347
00:17:57,232 --> 00:17:58,698
make all the decisions.
348
00:18:03,303 --> 00:18:04,303
I understand.
349
00:18:04,305 --> 00:18:05,704
And thank you,
Charlie.
350
00:18:05,706 --> 00:18:07,505
Salute.
351
00:18:09,307 --> 00:18:11,308
(Richard Hammer)
Costello was his friend.
352
00:18:11,310 --> 00:18:12,809
Frank Costello
was a gentleman.
353
00:18:12,811 --> 00:18:15,344
Genovese,
he was a strong-arm.
354
00:18:15,346 --> 00:18:19,147
He was a bad, bad guy.
355
00:18:19,149 --> 00:18:21,149
But he was good
at what he did.
356
00:18:21,151 --> 00:18:23,117
♪♪
357
00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:25,452
(narrator) With his
promotion to acting boss,
358
00:18:25,454 --> 00:18:27,854
Vito Genovese finally
has the power
359
00:18:27,856 --> 00:18:29,589
he's been waiting for,
360
00:18:29,591 --> 00:18:33,659
and he's prepared to rule
the Mob with an iron fist.
361
00:18:39,132 --> 00:18:41,833
♪♪
362
00:18:41,835 --> 00:18:44,402
(narrator) Lucky Luciano
has come up with a plan
363
00:18:44,404 --> 00:18:47,838
to keep his empire running
while he's in prison.
364
00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:51,308
He's named Vito Genovese
as his acting boss
365
00:18:51,310 --> 00:18:54,643
and Frank Costello
as Vito's underboss.
366
00:18:56,479 --> 00:19:00,148
Luciano's still
calling the shots...
367
00:19:00,150 --> 00:19:03,551
but Costello and Genovese
carry out his orders,
368
00:19:03,553 --> 00:19:06,887
working together to make sure
the business runs smoothly.
369
00:19:12,392 --> 00:19:15,327
(upbeat jazz music)
370
00:19:15,329 --> 00:19:18,863
(indistinct chatter)
371
00:19:18,865 --> 00:19:20,865
(narrator)
But from the beginning,
372
00:19:20,867 --> 00:19:24,301
Genovese lets the power
go straight to his head.
373
00:19:24,303 --> 00:19:28,138
♪♪
374
00:19:28,140 --> 00:19:30,406
I don't care who it is, but
just get someone good on it.
375
00:19:30,408 --> 00:19:32,341
(narrator) Genovese starts
living like a king,
376
00:19:32,343 --> 00:19:34,176
flaunting his power
in the city's
377
00:19:34,178 --> 00:19:37,345
most expensive restaurants
and nightclubs.
378
00:19:37,347 --> 00:19:38,813
(Frank Vincent)
Being a Mob boss,
379
00:19:38,815 --> 00:19:40,681
it's like being
a rock and roll star.
380
00:19:40,683 --> 00:19:42,649
I mean, this is what
attracts groupies.
381
00:19:42,651 --> 00:19:44,384
This is what attracts women.
382
00:19:51,191 --> 00:19:53,358
(narrator)
Genovese is on top of the world
383
00:19:53,360 --> 00:19:56,160
and is convinced he can have
any woman he wants.
384
00:19:56,162 --> 00:19:57,394
(applause)
385
00:19:57,396 --> 00:19:59,229
But the one
who catches his eye...
386
00:20:01,532 --> 00:20:04,267
...is his cousin,
Anna Petillo.
387
00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:18,347
So what
do you want?
388
00:20:46,609 --> 00:20:49,444
(narrator)
After courting Anna for months,
389
00:20:49,446 --> 00:20:53,815
Genovese and his cousin
fall in love.
390
00:20:53,817 --> 00:20:57,451
But to be together,
Genovese will have to take care
391
00:20:57,453 --> 00:21:00,253
of the one man
who stands in his way:
392
00:21:00,255 --> 00:21:01,554
Anna's husband.
393
00:21:01,556 --> 00:21:05,858
(man)
♪ Let's have a nightcap ♪
394
00:21:05,860 --> 00:21:10,262
♪ Let down your hair ♪
395
00:21:10,264 --> 00:21:13,898
♪ Let's have a moment ♪
396
00:21:13,900 --> 00:21:17,968
♪ And just
to be fair ♪
397
00:21:17,970 --> 00:21:21,538
♪ I haven't told you ♪
398
00:21:21,540 --> 00:21:24,474
♪ This won't
take too long ♪
399
00:21:24,476 --> 00:21:26,542
(groaning)
400
00:21:26,544 --> 00:21:29,912
♪ Maybe you're right ♪
401
00:21:29,914 --> 00:21:31,847
♪ Maybe I'm wrong ♪
402
00:21:31,849 --> 00:21:33,882
(man screaming)
403
00:21:33,884 --> 00:21:37,552
(woman)
♪ I say be patient ♪
404
00:21:37,554 --> 00:21:40,021
♪ And maybe slow down ♪♪
405
00:21:41,823 --> 00:21:43,757
(champagne cork pops)
406
00:21:43,759 --> 00:21:46,826
(narrator) Two weeks after ordering
the murder of her husband,
407
00:21:46,828 --> 00:21:50,963
Vito Genovese
marries Anna Petillo.
408
00:21:50,965 --> 00:21:54,299
His wife, whom I met, 'cause he
used to own the 82 Club
409
00:21:54,301 --> 00:21:55,700
and I used to go there,
410
00:21:55,702 --> 00:21:58,469
he, uh,
whacked her husband
411
00:21:58,471 --> 00:22:00,737
in order to marry her.
412
00:22:00,739 --> 00:22:02,371
She was supposed to have been
a great beauty, otherwise,
413
00:22:02,373 --> 00:22:04,306
why would he have, you know,
uh, heh, you know.
414
00:22:04,308 --> 00:22:05,674
♪♪
415
00:22:05,676 --> 00:22:08,810
Did your old husband
give you champagne in bed?
416
00:22:08,812 --> 00:22:10,945
What do you think?
417
00:22:10,947 --> 00:22:12,346
Ahh.
418
00:22:12,348 --> 00:22:13,647
I don't think
he did.
419
00:22:13,649 --> 00:22:14,948
Never.
420
00:22:14,950 --> 00:22:16,883
He never gave me
anything in bed.
421
00:22:16,885 --> 00:22:18,885
Hmm, dumb bastard.
422
00:22:34,368 --> 00:22:36,502
♪♪
423
00:22:36,504 --> 00:22:38,737
(narrator)
Under Genovese reign,
424
00:22:38,739 --> 00:22:42,340
the structure of Luciano's crime
family begins to collapse...
425
00:22:44,943 --> 00:22:47,844
...as Genovese starts playing
by his own rules...
426
00:22:47,846 --> 00:22:49,979
Look at these.
427
00:22:49,981 --> 00:22:51,380
(narrator)
...wasting money...
428
00:22:51,382 --> 00:22:53,448
(laughing)
I love them.
429
00:22:53,450 --> 00:22:56,050
(narrator)
...abusing his authority...
430
00:22:56,052 --> 00:22:57,484
Uhh!
431
00:22:57,486 --> 00:22:59,486
I killed the bear
myself for you, heh.
432
00:22:59,488 --> 00:23:02,455
(narrator) ...and eliminating
anyone who disagrees with him.
433
00:23:06,660 --> 00:23:09,662
All without the approval
of the Commission.
434
00:23:09,664 --> 00:23:11,463
Where's the money
coming in?
435
00:23:11,465 --> 00:23:13,665
He said it was gonna be one
million, now it's six million.
436
00:23:13,667 --> 00:23:15,433
At the rate that he's going,
forget it.
437
00:23:15,435 --> 00:23:17,568
Names all over the place.
This looks-- makes us look bad.
438
00:23:17,570 --> 00:23:18,702
(gunshot)
439
00:23:18,704 --> 00:23:19,703
(narrator)
But in his quest
440
00:23:19,705 --> 00:23:21,004
to assert his power...
441
00:23:21,006 --> 00:23:22,038
(gunshot)
442
00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:24,640
...Genovese is getting sloppy.
443
00:23:24,642 --> 00:23:26,508
This thing of ours,
this is a private thing.
444
00:23:26,510 --> 00:23:28,476
It ain't no good
if we're in the public.
445
00:23:28,478 --> 00:23:29,877
(narrator)
Knowing Genovese's behavior
446
00:23:29,879 --> 00:23:32,746
is affecting
all the crime families,
447
00:23:32,748 --> 00:23:34,614
Costello realizes
he has to get
448
00:23:34,616 --> 00:23:37,717
his own family's boss
under control.
449
00:23:37,719 --> 00:23:40,453
(Vincent Pastore) I think a lot of
wiseguys have an impulsive disorder.
450
00:23:40,455 --> 00:23:43,389
And, uh, if they don't get
what they want,
451
00:23:43,391 --> 00:23:44,890
they get angry.
452
00:23:44,892 --> 00:23:49,060
And sometimes, they make
a bad name for the families
453
00:23:49,062 --> 00:23:50,828
because they're
so impulsive.
454
00:23:57,034 --> 00:23:59,568
Vito, your work's
getting sloppy lately.
455
00:23:59,570 --> 00:24:01,369
You know? Can't have bodies
in the street like that.
456
00:24:01,371 --> 00:24:02,470
Don't talk about my
work being sloppy.
457
00:24:02,472 --> 00:24:03,737
All right?
You know what?
458
00:24:03,739 --> 00:24:05,004
You're too soft, Frank.
All right?
459
00:24:05,006 --> 00:24:06,005
I'm soft?
You're soft!
460
00:24:06,007 --> 00:24:07,473
Vito, you're stupid,
okay?
461
00:24:07,475 --> 00:24:08,974
I'm stupid?
You're stupid.
462
00:24:08,976 --> 00:24:10,575
Who are you calling stupid, Frank?
Listen to me.
463
00:24:10,577 --> 00:24:12,476
I'll put two in your head,
you understand me?
464
00:24:12,478 --> 00:24:14,478
We'll see who's stupid, Frank.
Get your finger out of my face.
465
00:24:14,480 --> 00:24:15,679
We'll see who's stupid, Frank!
Get your finger out of my face!
466
00:24:15,681 --> 00:24:16,746
All right, I'm scared.
467
00:24:16,748 --> 00:24:18,114
Get out of here.
I'm shakin'!
468
00:24:25,155 --> 00:24:29,024
(narrator) The more Costello
tries to rein in Genovese,
469
00:24:29,026 --> 00:24:31,659
the more out of control
the gangster becomes.
470
00:24:39,968 --> 00:24:41,902
(Luciano) What exactly
happened with Vito?
471
00:24:43,137 --> 00:24:45,571
He's greedy.
He's reckless, he's careless.
472
00:24:45,573 --> 00:24:47,105
(Lansky sighs)
473
00:24:47,107 --> 00:24:51,042
I told you Vito wasn't
gonna be a good boss.
474
00:24:51,044 --> 00:24:52,743
He dug his grave.
475
00:24:54,879 --> 00:24:56,412
(Costello)
What are we gonna do?
476
00:24:59,149 --> 00:25:00,916
(Luciano) It's time for
something to happen.
477
00:25:03,185 --> 00:25:05,553
(narrator)
Luciano knows Vito Genovese
478
00:25:05,555 --> 00:25:08,889
has become
a major liability.
479
00:25:08,891 --> 00:25:11,791
And he needs to find a way
to keep him in check.
480
00:25:18,197 --> 00:25:23,000
But before Luciano
can get to Genovese,
481
00:25:23,002 --> 00:25:26,036
a mobster looking
to reduce his jail time
482
00:25:26,038 --> 00:25:29,005
comes forward with information
on a murder
483
00:25:29,007 --> 00:25:34,175
that has the potential to
destroy Luciano's crime family.
484
00:25:34,177 --> 00:25:36,076
(typewriters clacking)
485
00:25:41,648 --> 00:25:43,782
(indistinct chatter)
486
00:25:43,784 --> 00:25:45,917
I have
some information.
487
00:25:48,921 --> 00:25:49,987
I saw the hit.
488
00:25:49,989 --> 00:25:52,455
And I know
who ordered it.
489
00:25:54,925 --> 00:25:56,825
I was there.
490
00:25:56,827 --> 00:25:58,893
He's someone
you wanna take down.
491
00:25:58,895 --> 00:26:01,562
But I need a deal.
492
00:26:01,564 --> 00:26:05,132
And I need
protection.
493
00:26:05,134 --> 00:26:06,733
By all means,
continue.
494
00:26:08,736 --> 00:26:12,105
The man who ordered
the hit...
495
00:26:12,107 --> 00:26:14,040
is Vito Genovese.
496
00:26:21,882 --> 00:26:23,682
♪♪
497
00:26:23,684 --> 00:26:24,949
(narrator)
Thomas Dewey has already
498
00:26:24,951 --> 00:26:28,118
taken down Lucky Luciano.
499
00:26:30,187 --> 00:26:31,921
Now he has a witness
500
00:26:31,923 --> 00:26:34,723
who is willing to testify
against the new boss
501
00:26:34,725 --> 00:26:37,826
of the Luciano
crime family...
502
00:26:37,828 --> 00:26:40,060
Vito Genovese.
503
00:26:42,129 --> 00:26:44,630
(phone ringing)
504
00:26:44,632 --> 00:26:47,199
(Selwyn Raab)
Genovese took over the family,
505
00:26:47,201 --> 00:26:48,967
but Genovese got into trouble
506
00:26:48,969 --> 00:26:51,636
over another murder--
of many--
507
00:26:51,638 --> 00:26:53,871
that there was suddenly--
a witness was found
508
00:26:53,873 --> 00:26:55,172
who could implicate him.
509
00:26:55,174 --> 00:26:57,107
(narrator)
Dewey files murder charges
510
00:26:57,109 --> 00:26:59,109
against Vito Genovese.
511
00:26:59,111 --> 00:27:01,811
The acting boss
of the Luciano crime family
512
00:27:01,813 --> 00:27:04,180
is now in Dewey's
crosshairs.
513
00:27:04,182 --> 00:27:06,248
(traffic noise)
514
00:27:06,250 --> 00:27:09,317
It isn't long before
Luciano's second in command,
515
00:27:09,319 --> 00:27:12,986
Frank Costello, is tipped off
about the warrant.
516
00:27:16,090 --> 00:27:17,256
(phone ringing)
517
00:27:17,258 --> 00:27:18,957
("Why" playing softly)
518
00:27:18,959 --> 00:27:22,794
♪ 'Cause I found you,
that's why ♪
519
00:27:22,796 --> 00:27:24,228
♪ I wonder why ♪
520
00:27:24,230 --> 00:27:26,096
Hello?
521
00:27:26,098 --> 00:27:29,632
♪ Am I so happy
I could cry ♪
522
00:27:29,634 --> 00:27:31,066
♪ Why... ♪♪
523
00:27:32,968 --> 00:27:35,769
(narrator) Genovese must
make a crucial decision.
524
00:27:39,673 --> 00:27:41,407
He could either fight
the charges
525
00:27:41,409 --> 00:27:43,876
and try to keep
his power as boss,
526
00:27:43,878 --> 00:27:48,013
or he can
go on the run.
527
00:27:48,015 --> 00:27:52,150
(boat horn blowing)
528
00:27:52,152 --> 00:27:54,051
(sighs)
529
00:27:54,053 --> 00:27:55,385
Take care
of yourself, Vito.
530
00:27:57,821 --> 00:27:59,688
You promise.
531
00:27:59,690 --> 00:28:01,756
(car motor puttering)
532
00:28:03,925 --> 00:28:06,993
(boat horn blowing)
533
00:28:09,863 --> 00:28:13,232
(narrator) Less than a year
after becoming acting boss,
534
00:28:13,234 --> 00:28:17,302
Vito Genovese is forced
to return to his homeland
535
00:28:17,304 --> 00:28:19,137
to escape Thomas Dewey.
536
00:28:19,139 --> 00:28:21,372
(boat horn blows)
537
00:28:21,374 --> 00:28:24,074
(inmates clamoring)
538
00:28:29,213 --> 00:28:31,247
So Vito's in Italy.
539
00:28:33,016 --> 00:28:34,416
That stupid prick.
540
00:28:36,252 --> 00:28:38,686
What the hell's
the matter with this guy?
541
00:28:42,223 --> 00:28:43,690
Frank...
542
00:28:43,692 --> 00:28:46,025
You know what this means?
543
00:28:50,764 --> 00:28:52,798
Can you handle it?
544
00:28:57,303 --> 00:28:59,270
I can handle it.
545
00:28:59,272 --> 00:29:03,107
Frank Costello is a very
interesting Mafia figure.
546
00:29:03,109 --> 00:29:04,374
Maybe one of
the most interesting.
547
00:29:04,376 --> 00:29:05,808
As opposed to Vito,
548
00:29:05,810 --> 00:29:08,277
Costello was considered
by Luciano
549
00:29:08,279 --> 00:29:10,712
and by Meyer Lansky
to be very intelligent
550
00:29:10,714 --> 00:29:14,048
and very gentlemanly.
551
00:29:14,050 --> 00:29:16,383
(narrator) With Genovese
out of the picture,
552
00:29:16,385 --> 00:29:18,952
Frank Costello becomes
the new acting boss
553
00:29:18,954 --> 00:29:21,087
of the Luciano crime family.
554
00:29:22,389 --> 00:29:25,391
(Sal Polisi)
A mobster who becomes a leader
555
00:29:25,393 --> 00:29:27,259
has to have a presence
556
00:29:27,261 --> 00:29:29,861
and he has to have
a type of charisma
557
00:29:29,863 --> 00:29:34,165
so that most of these minions
will follow him.
558
00:29:34,167 --> 00:29:35,833
And they work on it.
559
00:29:35,835 --> 00:29:38,202
It's just almost like an actor
developing skills.
560
00:29:38,204 --> 00:29:40,771
♪♪
561
00:29:40,773 --> 00:29:44,007
(faint clattering)
562
00:29:44,009 --> 00:29:47,877
(narrator) With Frank Costello
as the newly-appointed boss,
563
00:29:47,879 --> 00:29:52,081
business is once again
running smoothly.
564
00:29:52,083 --> 00:29:55,117
With everything
under control,
565
00:29:55,119 --> 00:29:59,020
Luciano decides
it's time to expand.
566
00:29:59,022 --> 00:30:01,322
90 miles off the coast
of Florida,
567
00:30:01,324 --> 00:30:05,259
in Cuba, Luciano
sees a huge opportunity
568
00:30:05,261 --> 00:30:08,195
to expand his family's
gambling empire.
569
00:30:08,197 --> 00:30:12,332
He sends Meyer Lansky to
convince the new Cuban leader,
570
00:30:12,334 --> 00:30:15,835
who's just risen to power
after a violent coup
571
00:30:15,837 --> 00:30:19,471
to let the Mob build a casino
in downtown Havana.
572
00:30:19,473 --> 00:30:22,173
Generale Batista.
573
00:30:22,175 --> 00:30:25,276
Mr. Lansky.
Welcome.
574
00:30:25,278 --> 00:30:27,111
(narrator)
Fulgencio Batista will go on
575
00:30:27,113 --> 00:30:30,781
to dominate Cuban politics
for 20 years
576
00:30:30,783 --> 00:30:35,085
as a corrupt
and violent dictator.
577
00:30:35,087 --> 00:30:37,420
(Meyer Lansky II) My grandfather
was planning with Batista
578
00:30:37,422 --> 00:30:42,158
to put in multi casinos,
not just the Havana Riviera.
579
00:30:42,160 --> 00:30:45,060
Once time I asked him
personally, I said,
580
00:30:45,062 --> 00:30:49,864
"What was Batista like,
in one word?"
581
00:30:49,866 --> 00:30:52,132
And he said, "Greedy."
582
00:30:52,134 --> 00:30:54,000
♪♪
583
00:30:54,002 --> 00:30:56,535
He said, "You could not
pay that man enough."
584
00:31:02,474 --> 00:31:05,943
(narrator) While Lansky
works the Cuban leader...
585
00:31:05,945 --> 00:31:08,111
(briefcase snaps shut)
586
00:31:08,113 --> 00:31:12,348
...Luciano has sent Bugsy Siegel
to Los Angeles
587
00:31:12,350 --> 00:31:14,483
to set up a stronghold
for the New York Mob.
588
00:31:14,485 --> 00:31:17,519
(Michael Green) A lot of people think
Bugsy went to Hollywood from New York
589
00:31:17,521 --> 00:31:19,587
because he wanted
to be in movies.
590
00:31:19,589 --> 00:31:22,356
But his real reason for
going out to L.A.
591
00:31:22,358 --> 00:31:24,391
was part of a Mob plan.
592
00:31:26,527 --> 00:31:28,528
(narrator)
The plan is for Bugsy Siegel
593
00:31:28,530 --> 00:31:32,064
to take control of the Hollywood
labor unions.
594
00:31:32,066 --> 00:31:34,366
(film projector clacking)
595
00:31:34,368 --> 00:31:37,936
(Rich Cohen) Bugsy focused on
the projectionists' union.
596
00:31:37,938 --> 00:31:39,437
That's like a-- a choke point.
597
00:31:39,439 --> 00:31:41,172
If you shut off
the projectionists,
598
00:31:41,174 --> 00:31:42,907
you shut down
the whole industry.
599
00:31:44,242 --> 00:31:46,176
Then you have
incredible leverage
600
00:31:46,178 --> 00:31:48,478
about getting what you want.
601
00:31:52,316 --> 00:31:55,117
♪♪
602
00:31:55,119 --> 00:31:57,119
(narrator)
Costello has effectively grown
603
00:31:57,121 --> 00:32:00,188
the Luciano family's
businesses and profits.
604
00:32:04,459 --> 00:32:07,928
But he's about to face
a serious test...
605
00:32:07,930 --> 00:32:12,132
as one of the founders
of Murder, Inc. is arrested
606
00:32:12,134 --> 00:32:15,001
and has information
that could bring down
607
00:32:15,003 --> 00:32:17,903
the entire American Mafia.
608
00:32:20,873 --> 00:32:23,507
(narrator) Lucky Luciano
has named Frank Costello
609
00:32:23,509 --> 00:32:26,877
the new acting boss of
the Luciano crime family,
610
00:32:26,879 --> 00:32:30,013
and business is better
than ever.
611
00:32:30,015 --> 00:32:32,382
Costello is overseeing
Luciano's plans
612
00:32:32,384 --> 00:32:35,351
to expand
the crime family's empire
613
00:32:35,353 --> 00:32:38,020
to Cuba and California.
614
00:32:38,022 --> 00:32:40,288
But the biggest threat
they'll face
615
00:32:40,290 --> 00:32:42,556
is about to come
from within.
616
00:32:47,428 --> 00:32:50,329
Abe Reles is a founding member
of Murder, Inc.,
617
00:32:50,331 --> 00:32:52,964
the Mob's squad
of notorious hitmen
618
00:32:52,966 --> 00:32:55,599
comprised of Jewish gangsters
like Bugsy Siegel
619
00:32:55,601 --> 00:32:57,233
and Louie Lepke.
620
00:32:57,235 --> 00:32:59,969
Over the past ten years,
Murder, Inc.
621
00:32:59,971 --> 00:33:02,938
has killed more
than 1,000 men
622
00:33:02,940 --> 00:33:05,040
and built a reputation
for meticulously
623
00:33:05,042 --> 00:33:06,541
covering their tracks.
624
00:33:09,578 --> 00:33:11,412
But when Abe Reles retaliates
625
00:33:11,414 --> 00:33:14,547
after his girlfriend is raped
by a rival gangster...
626
00:33:16,416 --> 00:33:19,451
he gets sloppy
in the heat of the moment
627
00:33:19,453 --> 00:33:22,987
and leaves a trail
of incriminating evidence.
628
00:33:25,423 --> 00:33:28,491
♪♪
629
00:33:43,139 --> 00:33:45,540
You wanted
to see me?
630
00:33:45,542 --> 00:33:49,043
I wanna walk.
631
00:33:49,045 --> 00:33:51,178
Tall order.
632
00:33:51,180 --> 00:33:53,647
I'll give you 50 guys.
633
00:34:03,123 --> 00:34:04,689
Albert Anastasia.
634
00:34:07,592 --> 00:34:10,126
Bugsy Siegel.
635
00:34:10,128 --> 00:34:12,628
You got him.
636
00:34:12,630 --> 00:34:14,663
(narrator)
Reles begins naming names...
637
00:34:16,966 --> 00:34:19,700
...giving Thomas Dewey
the evidence he needs...
638
00:34:22,570 --> 00:34:25,438
...to take down
all of Murder, Inc.
639
00:34:25,440 --> 00:34:27,039
(Rich Cohen)
Abe Reles becomes a rat,
640
00:34:27,041 --> 00:34:29,141
and he went in
and he cut a deal,
641
00:34:29,143 --> 00:34:31,443
testifying against
Albert Anastasia,
642
00:34:31,445 --> 00:34:34,011
the Lord High Executioner.
643
00:34:37,081 --> 00:34:40,716
And who is the next guy
Reles was gonna testify against?
644
00:34:40,718 --> 00:34:41,750
It was Bugsy Siegel.
645
00:34:41,752 --> 00:34:45,587
(falcons screeching)
646
00:34:45,589 --> 00:34:46,621
(pop)
647
00:34:46,623 --> 00:34:48,489
(upbeat jazz music)
648
00:34:48,491 --> 00:34:50,591
(narrator)
Siegel's been sent to California
649
00:34:50,593 --> 00:34:54,094
to set up their rackets
on the west coast.
650
00:34:54,096 --> 00:34:55,462
And while he should be
gaining control
651
00:34:55,464 --> 00:34:57,063
of the labor unions...
652
00:34:57,065 --> 00:35:00,132
♪♪
653
00:35:00,134 --> 00:35:02,067
...he's becoming
more and more interested
654
00:35:02,069 --> 00:35:05,003
in rubbing shoulders
with Hollywood's elite.
655
00:35:05,005 --> 00:35:07,472
♪♪
656
00:35:07,474 --> 00:35:10,608
Siegel begins frequenting
movie premieres and parties,
657
00:35:10,610 --> 00:35:14,378
the kind attended by stars
like Gary Cooper,
658
00:35:14,380 --> 00:35:17,714
Clark Gable,
and Cary Grant.
659
00:35:17,716 --> 00:35:20,516
(Michael Green) Bugsy Siegel knew
celebrities. He loved celebrities.
660
00:35:20,518 --> 00:35:23,286
They kind of loved the idea
of hanging out with him.
661
00:35:23,288 --> 00:35:26,722
This is a gangster.
He's glamorous, he's different.
662
00:35:26,724 --> 00:35:30,726
But his real reason for going
out to L.A. was not to party.
663
00:35:30,728 --> 00:35:34,396
They wanted to get in
on the stagehands' unions,
664
00:35:34,398 --> 00:35:35,864
because if you controlled
the stagehands,
665
00:35:35,866 --> 00:35:38,666
you control
the movie industry.
666
00:35:38,668 --> 00:35:40,234
(narrator)
But when word gets out
667
00:35:40,236 --> 00:35:42,769
that Reles has been ratting
on Murder, Inc.,
668
00:35:42,771 --> 00:35:45,671
Costello orders Siegel
to go into hiding.
669
00:35:51,176 --> 00:35:52,643
Reles is talking,
Charlie.
670
00:35:53,811 --> 00:35:55,912
He knows about
the rackets...
671
00:35:55,914 --> 00:35:57,513
the brothels,
the unions.
672
00:35:57,515 --> 00:35:59,681
He knows about
Bugsy's hit in L.A.
673
00:35:59,683 --> 00:36:02,216
He knows everything.
674
00:36:02,218 --> 00:36:03,784
So what are you
waiting for, Frank?
675
00:36:08,289 --> 00:36:09,822
Get it done, now.
676
00:36:12,926 --> 00:36:16,194
(seagulls calling)
677
00:36:18,664 --> 00:36:21,265
(narrator)
In the fall of 1941,
678
00:36:21,267 --> 00:36:23,500
the fate of the five families
rests in the hands
679
00:36:23,502 --> 00:36:26,336
of Frank Costello.
680
00:36:26,338 --> 00:36:29,872
While Costello's been a smart
and diplomatic boss,
681
00:36:29,874 --> 00:36:32,474
some members of the Commission
begin to doubt
682
00:36:32,476 --> 00:36:34,275
he's tough enough
for the job.
683
00:36:34,277 --> 00:36:36,243
(Frank Vincent)
The real, true bosses
684
00:36:36,245 --> 00:36:38,445
were very,
very ruthless.
685
00:36:38,447 --> 00:36:41,581
You have to be ruthless.
You can't be afraid...
686
00:36:41,583 --> 00:36:43,516
you can't be afraid
to hurt people.
687
00:36:43,518 --> 00:36:47,720
(narrator) Costello knows if
doesn't take out his own hitman,
688
00:36:47,722 --> 00:36:52,624
Abe Reles's testimony could
dismantle the American Mafia.
689
00:36:52,626 --> 00:36:54,759
(Rich Cohen)
Abe Reles wound up being
690
00:36:54,761 --> 00:36:57,795
one of the biggest rats
in underworld history.
691
00:36:57,797 --> 00:37:00,297
And he did incredible damage.
692
00:37:00,299 --> 00:37:02,599
He gutted
Murder, Incorporated.
693
00:37:02,601 --> 00:37:05,702
He put many guys
in the electric chair.
694
00:37:05,704 --> 00:37:08,471
So, obviously,
if you're a mobster,
695
00:37:08,473 --> 00:37:10,673
and you wanna live,
696
00:37:10,675 --> 00:37:13,976
what you gotta do is kill
Abe Reles.
697
00:37:13,978 --> 00:37:18,980
(narrator) But before Costello
could order the hit on Reles...
698
00:37:18,982 --> 00:37:20,748
he has to find him.
699
00:37:23,818 --> 00:37:26,753
(narrator)
In the fall of 1941,
700
00:37:26,755 --> 00:37:29,822
with Abe Reles spilling
the Mob's secrets,
701
00:37:29,824 --> 00:37:32,524
acting boss
Frank Costello knows
702
00:37:32,526 --> 00:37:35,360
he has to track down
Reles...
703
00:37:35,362 --> 00:37:36,593
and order the hit.
704
00:37:39,897 --> 00:37:41,597
Guys, I--
I need a favor.
705
00:37:41,599 --> 00:37:43,599
I need a big favor, all right?
I got a...
706
00:37:43,601 --> 00:37:45,467
(narrator)
After years of making inroads
707
00:37:45,469 --> 00:37:47,402
with New York City's
politicians,
708
00:37:47,404 --> 00:37:49,470
judges, and policemen,
709
00:37:49,472 --> 00:37:53,607
Frank Costello was finally
in a position to collect.
710
00:37:53,609 --> 00:37:54,975
I understand.
711
00:37:56,277 --> 00:37:58,645
♪♪
712
00:37:58,647 --> 00:38:00,713
(narrator) In an effort
to track down Reles,
713
00:38:00,715 --> 00:38:04,349
Costello puts the heat
on his sources around the city.
714
00:38:04,351 --> 00:38:09,554
♪♪
715
00:38:09,556 --> 00:38:12,990
(narrator) Finally, he gets the
break he's been waiting for.
716
00:38:18,896 --> 00:38:20,763
(patrons chattering)
717
00:38:27,002 --> 00:38:29,269
Costello learns
that law enforcement
718
00:38:29,271 --> 00:38:31,738
is hiding its most valuable
informant...
719
00:38:31,740 --> 00:38:35,408
in a heavily-guarded
hotel room in Coney Island.
720
00:38:35,410 --> 00:38:37,943
(waves crashing,
seagulls calling)
721
00:38:40,680 --> 00:38:43,014
(Rich Cohen) There is an
incredible incentive to kill him.
722
00:38:43,016 --> 00:38:44,415
The police knew that.
723
00:38:44,417 --> 00:38:46,049
So they put him
in this hotel
724
00:38:46,051 --> 00:38:48,651
called the Half Moon Hotel,
725
00:38:48,653 --> 00:38:52,054
and they had 16 police officers
guarding Reles.
726
00:38:52,056 --> 00:38:53,688
He was never alone.
727
00:38:53,690 --> 00:38:55,423
When he'd sleep,
a guy was supposed to be
728
00:38:55,425 --> 00:38:57,358
sitting in the room--
when he was in the bathroom,
729
00:38:57,360 --> 00:38:58,826
there was a guy
right outside the door.
730
00:38:58,828 --> 00:39:00,594
And when he would testify,
they'd bring him
731
00:39:00,596 --> 00:39:03,530
to and from court
in an armored car.
732
00:39:03,532 --> 00:39:07,567
(narrator) Getting to Reles
will be next to impossible.
733
00:39:07,569 --> 00:39:10,937
But Costello knows
he has to find a way.
734
00:39:20,580 --> 00:39:23,415
(seagulls calling)
735
00:39:28,454 --> 00:39:30,588
Reles...
736
00:39:30,590 --> 00:39:31,855
come check out
the view.
737
00:39:44,468 --> 00:39:45,701
Hey, fellas...
738
00:39:45,703 --> 00:39:46,968
what gives?
739
00:40:00,648 --> 00:40:01,648
(loud thud)
740
00:40:01,650 --> 00:40:03,349
(seagulls squawking)
741
00:40:03,351 --> 00:40:04,616
Call it in.
742
00:40:05,951 --> 00:40:07,952
Prisoner died
trying to escape.
743
00:40:13,991 --> 00:40:16,892
(Selwyn Raab) Frank Costello knew
he had this political influence.
744
00:40:16,894 --> 00:40:18,827
He had tentacles,
745
00:40:18,829 --> 00:40:20,528
not only into
the police department,
746
00:40:20,530 --> 00:40:22,096
but into the political system.
747
00:40:24,032 --> 00:40:26,933
Even when he made
these pretenses,
748
00:40:26,935 --> 00:40:30,569
at being so sophisticated,
he was ordering hits.
749
00:40:30,571 --> 00:40:32,137
I mean, he might not
do the dirty work,
750
00:40:32,139 --> 00:40:34,439
but someone did
the dirty work for him.
751
00:40:34,441 --> 00:40:36,908
(narrator)
The death of Abe Reles
752
00:40:36,910 --> 00:40:39,477
makes headlines
around the country
753
00:40:39,479 --> 00:40:43,047
as the man willing to snitch
on the New York underworld
754
00:40:43,049 --> 00:40:44,882
is silenced.
755
00:40:44,884 --> 00:40:46,583
(Sal Polisi)
Abe Reles was an informant,
756
00:40:46,585 --> 00:40:48,885
and he was gonna testify
against Murder, Incorporated.
757
00:40:48,887 --> 00:40:51,787
This is stuff
that we grew up with.
758
00:40:51,789 --> 00:40:55,557
And the Mob guys made sure
these legends continued.
759
00:40:55,559 --> 00:40:58,092
They wanted us to know
what the penalties were.
760
00:40:58,094 --> 00:41:01,562
♪♪
761
00:41:10,404 --> 00:41:12,571
(chuckling)
762
00:41:13,873 --> 00:41:16,074
What's so funny?
763
00:41:16,076 --> 00:41:17,575
Nothin'.
764
00:41:17,577 --> 00:41:19,777
What are you
smiling about?
765
00:41:19,779 --> 00:41:22,880
It's just a funny
story in the paper.
766
00:41:22,882 --> 00:41:24,047
About what?
767
00:41:26,450 --> 00:41:29,084
Some guy tried to climb
out a window.
768
00:41:29,086 --> 00:41:31,886
He fell and died.
769
00:41:31,888 --> 00:41:33,888
Oh, that's funny?
770
00:41:35,090 --> 00:41:37,157
Yeah, it's pretty funny.
771
00:41:37,159 --> 00:41:38,858
That's nice, Frank.
772
00:41:38,860 --> 00:41:40,492
Very nice.
773
00:41:47,432 --> 00:41:48,999
(narrator)
In a single move,
774
00:41:49,001 --> 00:41:52,702
Frank Costello
has solidified his authority
775
00:41:52,704 --> 00:41:54,904
as the head
of the Luciano family.
776
00:41:54,906 --> 00:42:00,576
♪♪
777
00:42:00,578 --> 00:42:05,446
Now, Luciano is certain
the system he's built works.
778
00:42:06,881 --> 00:42:11,150
But as he faces the remainder
of his 50-year sentence,
779
00:42:11,152 --> 00:42:15,086
Luciano is determined to find
a way to get out of prison.
780
00:42:16,721 --> 00:42:19,489
And his opportunity
may come from a battle...
781
00:42:19,491 --> 00:42:22,858
(Hitler shouting
in German on radio)
782
00:42:24,460 --> 00:42:26,494
(crowd cheering on radio)
783
00:42:26,496 --> 00:42:29,864
(narrator) ...soon to be waged
halfway around the world.
784
00:42:33,702 --> 00:42:36,770
♪♪