Mafia's Greatest Hits (2012–…): Season 2, Episode 7 - Al Capone - full transcript
America's first superstar gangster, Al Capone, dominated headlines and is said to be responsible for the bloody St Valentines' Day Massacre. After being made the face of organized crime by ...
Narrator: IN THE EARLY DAYS
OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN AMERICA,
ONE MAN DOMINATED THE HEADLINES.
[ GUNFIRE ]
Raab: ALPHONSE CAPONE
WAS AMERICA'S
FIRST SUPERSTAR GANGSTER.
Narrator: HE'S SAID TO BE
RESPONSIBLE
FOR ONE OF THE BLOODIEST HITS
IN MOB HISTORY...
[ GUNFIRE ]
...THE SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY
MASSACRE.
Hendley: AL CAPONE IS ARGUABLY
THE ONLY GANGSTER AT THE TIME
WHO COULD MURDER SEVEN OF
HIS OPPONENTS IN BROAD DAYLIGHT
IN ONE OF THE MOST
AUDACIOUS HITS
AT THAT TIME
IN GANGSTER HISTORY.
[ BULB POPS ]
Narrator:
BUT BEHIND THE HEADLINES,
THE TRUE SIGNIFICANCE
OF CAPONE'S CAREER
IS LESS WELL-KNOWN.
HE BECAME THE FACE
OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN AMERICA,
AND NATURALLY, THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT HAD TO COME IN
AND BRING HIM DOWN.
Narrator: CAPONE'S SWAGGER
SET THE TONE
FOR ONE OF THE MOST GLAMOROUS
ERAS IN GANGLAND HISTORY,
BUT IT WAS CAPONE'S WEAKNESS,
NOT HIS STRENGTH,
THAT WOULD TEACH
A GROUP OF WARRING MOBS
A LESSON THEY WOULD
NEVER FORGET...
[ GUNFIRE ]
...AND SET THEM ON COURSE
FOR A TRANSFORMATION
INTO THE SINGLE POWERFUL ENTITY
WE NOW KNOW
AS THE AMERICAN MAFIA.
THIS IS THE REAL STORY
OF AL CAPONE.
*
[ GUNSHOTS ]
*
[ GUNSHOT,
CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS ]
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
[ GUNSHOT ]
*
Narrator: 1924, CHICAGO...
[ REPORTERS CLAMORING,
FLASH BULBS POPPING ]
[ EXCITED CONVERSATIONS ]
Narrator:
IN THE SUBURB OF CICERO,
JOSEPH KLENHA, THE TOWN'S MAYOR,
ADDRESSES A CROWD OF REPORTERS.
BEHIND HIM STANDS THE MAN
WHO SECURED HIS ELECTION...
[ SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ]
...MOBSTER ALPHONSE CAPONE.
AL CAPONE REALIZED THAT
PART OF THE SECRET TO POWER
WAS TO CONTROL
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS,
WHICH HE DID
BY BRIBING OFFICIALS.
HE CONTROLLED A LOCAL MAYOR,
JOSEPH KLENHA,
WHOM HE CONSIDERED HIS GUY
WHO WAS DUTY-BOUND
TO OBEY HIS ORDERS.
Narrator:
BUT CAPONE ISN'T HAPPY.
THE MAYOR HAS GONE OFF MESSAGE
AND UNEXPECTEDLY SPEAKS OUT
AGAINST ILLEGAL SPEAKEASIES,
WHICH ARE THE FOUNDATION
OF CAPONE'S CRIMINAL EMPIRE.
CAPONE ISN'T GOING TO ALLOW
SUCH PUBLIC DISRESPECT.
Reppetto: SO HE AND THE MAYOR
WERE STANDING ON THE STEPS
OF CITY HALL,
AND THEY HAD SOME
KIND OF ARGUMENT,
SO AL JUST WHIPPED OUT
THE BLACKJACK.
[ STRIKES ]
[ CROWD MURMURING EXCITEDLY ]
HE LITERALLY KICKED THE MAYOR
DOWN THE STEPS TO SHOW PUBLICLY
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE,
EVEN POLITICIANS,
WHO DEFY AL CAPONE.
*
Narrator: OTHER MOB BOSSES WOULD
PUT THE MAYOR STRAIGHT
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS...
BUT NOT AL CAPONE.
IN THIS PART OF CHICAGO,
HE FEARS NO ONE.
*
WHAT KIND OF MAN
CAN BEAT UP THE MAYOR
DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE COPS
AND GET AWAY WITH IT?
*
CAPONE'S RISE TO POWER
IN CHICAGO
BEGINS IN THE YEARS
OF PROHIBITION.
IN 1919, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
OUTLAWS THE SALE OF BOOZE.
SELLING BEER OR WHISKEY
IS NOW A CRIME.
*
CUE THE ARRIVAL OF A YOUNG
NEW YORK HOOD CALLED AL CAPONE.
THE YOUNG HEAVY HAS COME TO WORK
FOR GANG BOSS JOHNNY TORRIO.
TORRIO IS BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS BOOTLEGGING BOOZE
AND ILLEGALLY SUPPLYING IT
TO THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO.
*
TORRIO IS ONE OF MANY GANGSTERS
ACROSS THE U.S.
TURNING A FORTUNE
BY MAKING SURE
THAT GOOD TIMES
CONTINUE TO ROLL.
*
TORRIO'S ILLEGAL SPEAKEASIES
SERVE HIS IMPORTED BOOZE
TO THIRSTY CHICAGOANS ACROSS
THE SOUTH OF THE CITY.
Hendley: PROHIBITION WAS
A COMPLETE FAILURE IN BIG CITIES
LIKE NEW YORK AND CHICAGO,
AND CHICAGO ALREADY
HAD A REPUTATION
FOR HAVING A CORRUPT GOVERNMENT
AND A THRIVING UNDERWORLD,
EVEN BEFORE PROHIBITION.
*
Narrator: AND CHICAGO FINDS
ITSELF WELL-PLACED
FOR THIS UNINTENDED
CRIMINAL OPPORTUNITY.
Bergreen: CHICAGO BECAME THE
QUINTESSENTIAL PROHIBITION CITY
BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION.
IT WAS CLOSE TO CANADA,
JUST ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN.
THAT MEANT THAT BOOZE
COULD FREELY COME INTO THE CITY
AS AN ENTRY POINT.
Narrator: GANGSTERS LIKE TORRIO
QUICKLY LEARN
THAT THERE'S BIG MONEY
IN TURNING THE SMUGGLING
AND SELLING OF BOOZE
INTO A SLICK BUSINESS.
*
TORRIO'S CHICAGO OUTFIT BECOMES
ONE OF THE BIGGEST IN THE CITY,
AND THE RAPID GROWTH MEANS
TORRIO IS ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT
FOR FRESH TALENT.
*
ENTER ALPHONSE CAPONE...
[ MEN SHOUTING ]
AND THE YOUNG MAN'S
RUTHLESSNESS AND BUSINESS SHARPS
SEE HIM RAPIDLY RISE
THROUGH THE RANKS.
[ SHOUTING CONTINUES ]
Bergreen: HE QUICKLY
IDENTIFIED AL CAPONE
AS A PROMISING
UP-AND-COMER AND A PROTéGé
AND GRADUALLY LET AL CAPONE HAVE
MORE AND MORE RESPONSIBILITY.
[ SHOUTING CONTINUES ]
Narrator: BUT TORRIO'S SUCCESS
MAKES HIM A PRIME TARGET
FOR RIVAL GANGS.
[ SEA BIRDS CALLING ]
*
ONE NIGHT, JOHNNY TORRIO
IS AMBUSHED.
*
[ GUNSHOTS ECHO ]
HE IS SHOT REPEATEDLY
IN THE NECK AND GROIN.
*
HIS ATTACKER IS ONE OF HIS
UNDERWORLD BUSINESS RIVALS,
NOTORIOUS GANGSTER AND
BOOTLEGGER GEORGE "BUGS" MORAN.
*
BUGS AIMS THE GUN
AT JOHNNY'S HEAD,
BUT AS TORRIO WAITS
FOR THE COUP DE GRâCE...
*
[ CHAMBER CLICKS ]
BUGS' GUN MISFIRES.
HE'S OUT OF BULLETS.
MORAN LEAVES TORRIO
TO BLEED OUT.
MIRACULOUSLY, TORRIO SURVIVES,
BUT THE ATTACK
AFFECTS HIM DEEPLY.
Hendley: JOHNNY TORRIO WAS
ALMOST MURDERED
IN FRONT OF HIS OWN APARTMENT,
AND HE DECIDES
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
*
Narrator: TORRIO IS SURE CHICAGO
IS NO LONGER SAFE.
SO HE MAKES A LIFE-CHANGING
DECISION FOR HIM AND FOR CAPONE.
Hendley:
WHILE TORRIO IS RECOVERING
FROM HIS GUNSHOT WOUNDS,
HE TURNS EVERYTHING
OVER TO AL CAPONE,
YOU KNOW, HIS FORMER PROTéGé,
AND CAPONE, OF COURSE,
IS DELIGHTED BY THIS.
*
Narrator: TORRIO LEAVES BEHIND
ONE OF THE BIGGEST BOOTLEGGING
SYNDICATES IN AMERICA
AND HANDS THE WHOLE CHICAGO
OUTFIT TO AL CAPONE.
*
[ TRAIN BRAKES SCREECH ]
*
AT ONLY 26 YEARS OLD,
CAPONE IS NOW ONE OF THE
YOUNGEST MOB BOSSES
IN AMERICA...
WORTH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
[ LIGHTER FLICKS ]
AND HE MOVES QUICKLY
TO PUT HIS OWN STAMP
ON THE CHICAGO UNDERWORLD.
Hendley: CAPONE IS A VERY
RUTHLESS INDIVIDUAL,
A VERY VIOLENT INDIVIDUAL.
HE CAME FROM A VERY
POOR BACKGROUND,
REALIZED VERY QUICKLY
THAT, YOU KNOW,
THE ONLY WAY TO GET
TO THE TOP WAS THROUGH,
YOU KNOW, VIOLENCE.
Narrator: CAPONE CLEARS THE PATH
TO PROFIT BY BRIBING POLICE,
INTIMIDATING POLITICIANS...
[ SHOUTING ]
...AND THREATENING HIS RIVALS.
[ GUNSHOT ]
[ GRUNTING ]
[ SHIP HORN BLOWS ]
CAPONE IS SOON OUTPACING
HIS CONTEMPORARIES
IN THE OTHER GREAT
PROHIBITION CITY, NEW YORK...
*
...YOUNG GANGSTERS LIKE
MEYER LANSKY AND FRANK COSTELLO.
IN FACT, THE ONLY MOBSTER
WHO CAN KEEP PACE WITH HIM
IS ONE SAVVY INDIVIDUAL,
A BRIGHT YOUNG MAN
WHO WILL GO ON TO BECOME
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT NAMES
IN U.S. GANGSTER HISTORY,
LUCKY LUCIANO.
THE TWO GREAT CONTEMPORARIES
WAS AL CAPONE IN CHICAGO
AND CHARLES "LUCKY" LUCIANO
IN NEW YORK.
Narrator: LUCKY LUCIANO WAS
A RISING LIEUTENANT
IN ONE OF THE BIG
NEW YORK GANGS,
BUT HE APPROACHES BUSINESS IN
A VERY DIFFERENT WAY TO CAPONE.
Raab: THERE WAS AN IMMENSE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM.
LUCIANO DID NOT LOOK
FOR THE SPOTLIGHT.
HE WASN'T INTERESTED
IN ATTENTION.
HE KNEW SECRECY
WAS HIS BEST SAFEGUARD.
Narrator: WHILE CAPONE'S
SUCCESS IS BUILT
ON FEAR AND INTIMIDATION,
LUCIANO BELIEVES VIOLENCE
INEVITABLY LEADS TO CONFLICT.
HIS CARDINAL OBJECT WAS TO BE
NO WARS BETWEEN THE FAMILIES.
*
[ GUNSHOT ]
Narrator: ATTACKING YOUR
RIVALS IN THE STREETS
BROUGHT DOUBLE TROUBLE...
[ GUNSHOT ]
*
[ CHOKING ]
...REVENGE ATTACKS
AND UNWANTED POLICE ATTENTION.
[ GUNSHOT ]
*
IF ONLY THE MOBS
COULD WORK TOGETHER,
THEY COULD MAKE FAR MORE MONEY
WITHOUT ATTRACTING THE COPS.
Raab: HE WANTED NO HITS,
NO HEADLINES.
IF THERE WAS BLOODSHED,
THE BODIES SHOULDN'T BE FOUND.
ALL HE WANTED WAS EVERYONE
SHOULD SHARE THE WEALTH.
Narrator: BUT LUCIANO'S WAY
DOESN'T SUIT CAPONE.
HE DOESN'T WANT TO WORK
WITH THE OTHERS.
HE JUST WANTS CHICAGO
ALL TO HIMSELF.
AND RIGHT NOW ONE GANGSTER
STANDS IN CAPONE'S WAY,
THE MAN WHO TRIED
TO KILL HIS OLD BOSS,
GEORGE "BUGS" MORAN.
[ GUNSHOT ]
WITH MORAN OUT OF THE WAY,
HE'D BE THE UNDISPUTED
KING OF CHICAGO.
BUT CAPONE DOESN'T
DO THINGS DISCREETLY.
WHEN BIG AL MAKES A HIT,
IT'S GOT TO BE THE BIGGEST HIT
IN MOB HISTORY.
[ GUNFIRE ]
*
[ HORNS HONKING ]
*
Narrator: AT JUST 26,
AL CAPONE HAS TAKEN CONTROL
OF THE CHICAGO OUTFIT.
[ STRIKE ECHOES ]
IT'S ONE OF THE CITY'S
TWO BIGGEST CRIMINAL GANGS,
RUNNING THE SOUTH SIDE
OF THE WINDY CITY,
BUT CAPONE WANTS ALL OF CHICAGO.
[ HORNS HONKING ]
*
AND THE MAN WHO STANDS
BETWEEN CAPONE
AND BEING KING
OF THE CHICAGO UNDERWORLD
IS GEORGE "BUGS" MORAN,
THE MOBSTER WHO RUNS
THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CITY.
Raab: HE THOUGHT HE HAD TO
ELIMINATE THE BUGS MORAN GANG,
SO HE COULD BE,
IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT,
THE BOSS OF BOSSES,
NO COMPETITION IN CHICAGO.
Narrator: CAPONE AND MORAN
ARE HEADING DOWN THE ROAD
TO A BRUTAL WAR.
Bergreen: THE TWO OF THEM BECAME
RIVALS FOR A CRIMINAL EMPIRE.
ONLY ONE OF THEM
COULD POSSIBLY SURVIVE
WHAT WAS, ESSENTIALLY,
A FIGHT TO THE DEATH.
Narrator: CAPONE'S GANG LAUNCH
A SERIES OF VIOLENT ATTACKS
ON MORAN'S NETWORK...
GENTLEMEN.
*
...AND MORAN HITS BACK.
[ GUNFIRE CONTINUES ]
CHICAGO HAS NEVER SEEN
VIOLENCE LIKE IT.
THE PRESS GO INTO OVERDRIVE,
CALLING THE BLOODY CONFLICT
CHICAGO'S BEER WAR.
*
CAPONE'S ON THE WAY
TO BECOMING
AMERICA'S FIRST-EVER
CELEBRITY GANGSTER.
*
[ HORNS HONKING ]
*
[ CUP CLATTERING ]
*
CAPONE WAS NEVER GOING TO BE
AN ELUSIVE MOB BOSS,
WORKING IN THE SHADOWS.
*
HE MAKES THE FIVE-STAR
METROPOLE HOTEL
IN THE CENTER OF CHICAGO
HIS NEW HQ.
*
CAPONE TAKES OVER
AN ENTIRE FLOOR,
WITH HOOKERS REGULARLY VISITING.
Bergreen: THE METROPOLE BECAME
A KIND OF UNOFFICIAL
CITY HALL IN CHICAGO.
EVERYBODY KNEW WHERE
THEY COULD FIND HIM
OR SOMEBODY WHO KNEW HIM.
HE WAS ACCESSIBLE.
THAT WAS VERY UNUSUAL
FOR A GANGSTER,
AND HE LOVED TO SEE
AND BE SEEN WHEREVER HE WENT,
AND HE WORE VERY
CONSPICUOUS CLOTHES.
HIS SUITS WERE KIND OF
AN ELECTRIC BLUE
OR ELECTRIC PURPLE.
SO HE WAS A PEACOCK,
AND HE LOVED TO SHOW OFF.
[ BULBS POP ]
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ]
Narrator: CAPONE BRIBES
LOCAL LAWMAKERS
SO HE'S FREE TO FLAUNT
HIS POSITION IN PUBLIC
WITHOUT FEAR OF ARREST.
HE WANTS PEOPLE TO KNOW
THE FACE OF AL CAPONE.
Hendley:
CAPONE LOVES HIS NOTORIETY,
THAT HE LOVES BEING SEEN
AS THE BAD GUY,
AND HE REALLY --
HE SORT OF PLAYS THIS UP,
THAT, YOU KNOW,
THE WAY HE LOOKS,
THE WAY HE DRESSES,
THE WAY HE ACTS.
HE'S ALMOST LIKE
A HOLLYWOOD IMITATION
OF A GANGSTER IN MANY WAYS.
Deirdre Capone:
HE WAS A HUGE PERSONALITY.
HE WOULD GO INTO A NIGHTCLUB,
HE WOULD GO INTO A RESTAURANT,
AND HE WOULD HAVE TO SIT
IN THE CENTER OF THE ROOM
SO THAT EVERYBODY WOULD
KNOW THAT HE WAS THERE.
*
Narrator: BUT WHILE CAPONE
ENJOYS THE LIMELIGHT IN CHICAGO,
HIS HEADLINES ARE CAUSING
SERIOUS ALARM IN NEW YORK.
Bergreen:
RIVALS LIKE LUCKY LUCIANO
WERE APPALLED BY THIS BEHAVIOR
BECAUSE THEY FELT CAPONE WAS
JUST ATTRACTING ATTENTION
TO THEIR ILLICIT ACTIVITIES.
THEY WISHED HE WOULD
JUST STOP AND GO AWAY
AND LET THEM CONTINUE WITHOUT
BENEFIT OF ALL THIS ATTENTION.
Narrator: BUT CHICAGO ISN'T
GOING TO GO AWAY...
*
AND CAPONE'S WAR WITH MORAN
IS ABOUT TO SPIRAL
OUT OF CONTROL.
*
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
*
[ ENGINE REVVING ]
*
ON SEPTEMBER THE 20th, 1926,
AL CAPONE IS EATING
AT A FAVORITE HAUNT
AT THE HAWTHORNE HOTEL
ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF CHICAGO.
*
AS USUAL, CAPONE ISN'T HIDING.
HE LIKES TO BE SEEN.
*
AND HIS ARCHRIVAL, BUGS MORAN,
HAS BEEN WATCHING HIM
VERY CLOSELY INDEED.
THEY SENT CARLOADS OF GUNMEN
OUT THERE TO BLAST CAPONE.
*
[ CLICK ]
[ GUNFIRE, GLASS SHATTERING ]
Narrator: THE GUNMEN OPEN FIRE
INDISCRIMINANTLY.
*
HIS BODYGUARD, FRANK RIO,
FLINGS CAPONE TO THE FLOOR
TO PROTECT HIM.
THOUSANDS OF BULLETS
ARE UNLEASHED
IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.
[ GUNFIRE, GLASS SHATTERING ]
Bergreen: BULLETS AND GLASS
WENT FLYING,
AND CAPONE REALIZED
HOW VULNERABLE HE WAS.
Narrator: REMARKABLY,
CAPONE SURVIVES,
AND NOW HE HAS ONE THING
ON HIS MIND -- REVENGE.
*
AND THE CHICAGO BEER WAR
IS ABOUT TO MAKE HEADLINES
ACROSS THE U.S.
*
Raab: CAPONE'S PHILOSOPHY WAS --
KILL, AND THEN WORRY ABOUT
THE CONSEQUENCES.
Bergreen: IT WAS A WAR ZONE.
THEY DIDN'T USE
THE WORD TERRORISM,
BUT GANGSTERS WERE CERTAINLY
TERRORIZING THE CITY,
AND IT WAS SEEN
AS A NATIONAL CRISIS.
Narrator: THE WAR RAGES ON
UNTIL 1929,
WHEN CAPONE DECIDES TO END IT
ONCE AND FOR ALL.
*
THIS TIME, HE WILL MAKE
A BLOODY STATEMENT
THAT HE HOPES WILL END
HIS PROBLEMS FOREVER.
[ GUNFIRE ]
HIS VIOLENT ATTACK
WILL GO DOWN IN MOB HISTORY,
BUT IT WILL ALSO PLANT
THE SEEDS OF HIS DOWNFALL.
*
*
Narrator: NOTORIOUS CHICAGO
MOB BOSS AL CAPONE
SURVIVES A VIOLENT AND VERY
PUBLIC ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE.
NOW HE PLANS TO SHOW
RIVAL MOBSTER BUGS MORAN
HOW TO REALLY MAKE HEADLINES.
[ CLICK ]
WHEN HE KILLS MORAN,
HE'LL BE KING OF CHICAGO,
AND THE WHOLE WORLD WILL KNOW.
*
WHEN BUGS MORAN GETS
AN ANONYMOUS TIP-OFF
TO BUY A STOLEN LOAD OF
CAPONE'S BOOTLEG WHISKEY,
HE THINKS IT'S
THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY
TO GET THE UPPER HAND
ON HIS ARCHRIVAL.
[ RINGS ]
MORAN TELLS HIS CREW THEY'LL DO
THE DEAL AT THEIR SECRET GARAGE
ON FEBRUARY THE 14th --
SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY.
[ LIGHTER FLICKS ]
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
MORAN'S GANG WAITS PATIENTLY
FOR THE LOAD TO ARRIVE...
*
...BUT BEFORE
THE SHIPMENT COMES IN,
BUGS' CREW GET AN UNEXPECTED
VISIT FROM THE COPS.
IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE
HAS RATTED ON THE DEAL.
*
[ CLICK ]
MORAN'S GANG AREN'T TOO WORRIED.
THEY CAN USUALLY BUY THE COPS'
SILENCE WITH A BRIBE OR TWO.
*
BUT NOT THESE COPS.
THEY AREN'T LAW ENFORCERS.
THEY'RE CAPONE'S
COLD-BLOODED KILLERS.
[ SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ]
Hendley: HE HAD ONE OF HIS CHIEF
ASSASSINS PUT TOGETHER A PLAN
TO ELIMINATE AS MANY
OF THE BUGS MORAN GANG
MEMBERS AS POSSIBLE.
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
THE ASSASSINS PRETENDED
TO BE POLICEMEN,
HAD THE GANGSTERS LINE UP
AGAINST THE WALL,
PRETENDING TO FRISK THEM.
*
Narrator: MORAN'S MEN REALIZE
TOO LATE THIS ISN'T A RAID.
IT'S A HIT.
*
[ GUNFIRE ]
*
Bergreen: CAPONE DECIDED
TO STAGE A MASSACRE,
BUT HE DIDN'T WANT
TO DO IT HIMSELF.
HE WASN'T GOING TO STAND THERE
WITH A MACHINE GUN
AND SPATTER PEOPLE WITH BULLETS.
[ GUNFIRE CONTINUES ]
HE WAS MUCH MORE LIKELY
TO HIRE DANGEROUS GUNMEN
TO ASSASSINATE SOMEBODY
THAN TO DO IT HIMSELF.
Narrator: IN A MATTER
OF SECONDS,
MORAN'S SQUAD LIE DEAD
ON THE FLOOR.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE SHOCKING
SCENE SPREAD ACROSS THE NATION,
AND THE BLOODBATH
IS KNOWN FOREVER
AS THE SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY
MASSACRE.
*
TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE CAN
PIN THE KILLINGS ON HIM,
CAPONE SITS A LONG WAY AWAY
IN THE COMPANY OF AN ATTORNEY.
*
BUT HE KNOWS THAT HE WILL
BE THE BENEFICIARY.
WITH MORAN OUT OF THE WAY,
CHICAGO IS HIS.
IF MORAN IS DEAD,
CAPONE REALIZES HE'S WON,
THAT HE HAS SOLE CONTROL
OF THE RACKETS IN CHICAGO,
AND HE'S THE TOP DOG THERE,
AND IT MEANS THAT
HE'S IMMENSELY WEALTHY.
IN TODAY'S DOLLARS,
HE WOULD BE A BILLIONAIRE.
[ PHONE RINGING ]
*
Narrator: BUT MORAN WASN'T AMONG
THE SEVEN CORPSES
LYING ON THE GARAGE FLOOR.
HE NEVER MADE IT TO THE SCENE
OF THE SHOOTING.
WHEN HE SAW THE COP CAR OUTSIDE,
HE KEPT DRIVING.
*
[ SLAMS PHONE ]
*
CAPONE'S ARCHENEMY
IS STILL ALIVE.
[ SLAMS PHONE ]
AND CAPONE IS ABOUT TO DISCOVER
THAT HIS BOTCHED
VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE...
*
...WILL ADD POWERFUL NAMES
TO HIS LIST OF ENEMIES.
*
WHILE CAPONE IS PUBLICLY
BATTLING WITH MORAN
FOR SUPREMACY OF CHICAGO,
BEHIND THE SCENES, UP-AND-COMING
MOBSTER LUCKY LUCIANO
IS PLOTTING TO MAKE HIS OWN
POWER PLAY FOR NEW YORK.
HIS VISION IS TO END
THE VIOLENT IN-FIGHTING
AND EASE THE PRESSURE
FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT.
IT'S A REVOLUTION
IN THE CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD.
*
WITH CAPONE'S MASSACRE STILL
FRESH IN THE HEADLINES,
LUCIANO AND OTHER
NEW YORK MOBSTERS
PLAN A CONFERENCE
IN ATLANTIC CITY.
Dezenhall: A LOT OF WHAT THEY
WANTED TO TALK ABOUT
AT THE ATLANTIC CITY
CONFERENCE IS,
"HOW DO WE DO THIS IN A MANNER
"WHERE NOT EVERYBODY
ENDS UP DEAD?
"HOW DO WE DO THIS IN A WAY
THAT DOESN'T DRAW THE ATTENTION
FROM THE AUTHORITIES?"
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
Narrator: THE OBVIOUS MOVE IS TO
GET VIOLENCE OFF THE STREETS
AND TO RUN THE MOB
AS A PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS.
THE APPROACH COULDN'T
SUIT CAPONE LESS.
SO LUCIANO AND THE OTHERS
TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS
AND INVITE THE HOTHEADED
CHICAGO KILLER
TO THE ATLANTIC CITY CONFERENCE
TO SIT DOWN AND THRASH IT OUT.
Hendley: OTHER GANGSTERS, EITHER
IN CHICAGO OR IN NEW YORK CITY,
THEY WERE A LITTLE WARY OF HIM
BECAUSE THEY DID REGARD HIM
AS A BIT OF A LOOSE CANNON,
AND THEY REALLY DIDN'T LIKE HIS
PUBLICITY-SEEKING PERSONALITY.
*
Narrator:
FRESH IN EVERYONE'S MIND
IS THE SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY
MASSACRE.
CAPONE MAY LOVE TO SEEK OUT
THE LIMELIGHT,
BUT LUCIANO AND THE OTHER
MOBSTERS PREDICT
SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.
Dezenhall: IT WAS VERY
RATIONAL FOR RACKETEERS.
AS MUCH AS PEOPLE THINK THAT
THEY'RE THESE BIG TOUGH GUYS
WHO ARE AFRAID OF NOTHING,
THEY'RE VERY AFRAID
OF THE GOVERNMENT,
AND THE LAST THING THEY WANT
IS TO BRING DOWN THE FULL FORCE
OF THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT ON THEM.
Narrator: LUCIANO,
WITH THE OTHER GANGSTERS,
ASK CAPONE TO CHANGE HIS WAYS.
[ MEN ARGUING ]
BUT CAPONE TAKES ISSUE
WITH HIS COMPETITORS
TELLING HIM HOW
TO RUN HIS BUSINESS...
[ ARGUING CONTINUES ]
*
...AND HE STORMS OUT.
IT SOON BECOMES CLEAR
THAT CAPONE
SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO LUCIANO.
*
JUST AS LUCIANO WARNED,
CAPONE'S WILD KILLINGS
SOON COME TO THE ATTENTION
OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
MAN IN AMERICA.
*
Raab: THERE WAS A NEW PRESIDENT,
HERBERT HOOVER,
AND HIS FIRST THING WAS HE WAS
CONFRONTED BY HEADLINES
FROM COAST TO COAST
ABOUT THIS MASSACRE
AND ABOUT THESE OUTRAGEOUS
ACTIVITIES IN CHICAGO.
*
Narrator: HOOVER LAUNCHES
A SPECIAL TASK FORCE
WITH ONE MISSION --
GET CAPONE.
Bergreen: THE SAINT VALENTINE'S
DAY MASSACRE MARKED
A TURNING POINT OF THE BEGINNING
OF A CONCERTED
FEDERAL EFFORT TO GET CAPONE,
I.E. GET HIM
BEHIND BARS SOME WAY.
[ HORNS HONK ]
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
Narrator: LUCIANO
AND OTHER GANGSTERS
TRY TO PUT OUT
THE PUBLIC FIRESTORM
THAT CAPONE HAS STARTED.
[ CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE ]
THEY MEET WITH JOURNALISTS
AND TELL THEM
CAPONE'S CHICAGO OUTFIT
WILL BE DISBANDED.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
THE STORY'S JUST A RUSE
TO DEFUSE THE HEAT.
BUT CAPONE KNOWS THE STORY'S
ALSO A MESSAGE.
THE OTHER FAMILIES
ARE RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE.
WITH BOTH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
AND THE MOB ON HIS CASE,
IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S TIME
FOR CAPONE TO LIE LOW.
*
BUT CAPONE'S NEXT MOVE
WILL TAKE EVERYONE BY SURPRISE.
*
*
[ GUNFIRE ]
Narrator: AFTER THE SAINT
VALENTINE'S DAY BLOODBATH,
AL CAPONE IS NOW A HUNTED MAN.
WITHIN THE MOB,
THE NEW YORK RISING STAR,
LUCKY LUCIANO,
WANTS CAPONE OUT OF THE WAY.
JUST AS HE FEARED, THE MASSACRE
HAS DRAWN THE ATTENTION
OF NONE OTHER THAN THE PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES HIMSELF.
*
BUT AS ONE OF THE MOST
PUBLIC GANGSTERS OF THE TIME,
WHERE CAN CAPONE HIDE?
*
*
CAPONE'S NEXT MOVE
TAKES EVERYONE BY SURPRISE.
HE FINDS SAFETY IN THE ONE PLACE
NO ONE WOULD EXPECT HIM TO GO.
[ OPERA MUSIC PLAYING ]
*
HE BRIBES POLICE OFFICERS TO GET
HIM SENT TO A CORRUPT JAIL
IN PHILADELPHIA...
[ KEYS RATTLE ]
[ DOOR CLICKS ]
...WHERE HE FINDS CONDITIONS
FAR FROM TYPICAL.
Bergreen: HIS STAY IN THE
PHILADELPHIA PENITENTIARY
WAS MORE LIKE A STAY
IN A HOTEL OR A REST CURE.
PEOPLE WAITED ON HIM
HAND AND FOOT THERE.
EVERYBODY WAS CORRUPTED, AND
HE HAD A VERY EASY TIME THERE.
IT WAS RELAXING.
Narrator: THE PRISON TERM
IS, IN FACT,
PART OF A DEAL BROKERED
WITH LUCIANO AND OTHER MOBSTERS,
AND CAPONE IS LIVING
THE HIGH LIFE
AT THE EXPENSE
OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.
*
BUT BACK IN CHICAGO,
THE FEDS HAVE GOT DIFFERENT
PLANS FOR AL CAPONE.
*
NEWSREEL ACROSS THE NATION
SHOWS ELITE TEAMS
OF PROHIBITION AGENTS
AGGRESSIVELY TARGETING
CAPONE'S EMPIRE OF BOOZE.
THE SQUAD HAS BEEN HANDPICKED
BY THE YOUNG AND HANDSOME
ELIOT NESS.
*
NICKNAMED THE UNTOUCHABLES,
IT'S SOON CLEAR
THAT CAPONE CAN'T BUY THEM OFF.
Bergreen: THE AGENTS
WHO WERE SENT TO CHICAGO
TO GET CAPONE WEREN'T BRIBABLE.
THEY WERE PAID BY
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT,
AND THEY HAD
A DIFFERENT ALLEGIANCE,
A DIFFERENT LOYALTY.
THEY WEREN'T LOCALS,
AND THIS MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
*
Narrator: NESS AND HIS SQUAD
USE WIRE TAPS TO FIND OUT
WHERE THE ILLEGAL BOOZE
IS KEPT...
[ MEN SHOUTING ]
...AND THEN RAID THE WAREHOUSES.
NESS TURNS CAPONE'S LOVE
OF PUBLICITY AGAINST HIM.
[ FLASH BULB POPS ]
HE TIPS OFF NEWSPAPER REPORTERS
WHO SHOW THE WORLD
THAT EVEN AL CAPONE
ISN'T ABOVE THE LAW.
[ SHOUTING, FLASH BULB POPS ]
MEANWHILE,
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT
SCRUTINIZE CAPONE'S
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.
[ CUP CLATTERS ]
BACK IN HIS PHILADELPHIA CELL,
THE MAN WHO CRAVES PUBLICITY
IS GETTING PLENTY...
BUT IT ISN'T THE KIND
HE'S USED TO.
*
AFTER 10 MONTHS BEHIND BARS,
BIG AL GETS SECRETLY
LET OUT OF PRISON BY OFFICIALS
AND HEADS BACK TO CHICAGO.
WHEN HE RETURNS, HE FINDS
THE GOVERNMENT HAVE DRAGGED
HIS REPUTATION
THROUGH THE MUD...
*
AND AL CAPONE IS NO LONGER
THE KING OF CHICAGO.
HE'S NOW PUBLIC ENEMY
NUMBER ONE.
[ BULBS POPPING ]
*
THE OBVIOUS MOVE FOR CAPONE
WILL BE TO LIE LOW,
BUT HE CAN'T RESIST PUBLICITY.
[ REPORTERS CLAMORING ]
SO CAPONE DECIDES TO ORGANIZE
A CHARM OFFENSIVE.
HE'S A PUBLICITY HOUND.
HE LOVES, YOU KNOW,
BEING IN THE SPOTLIGHT.
HE LOVES SEEING HIS PICTURE
IN THE NEWSPAPER.
NO PUBLICITY IS BAD PUBLICITY.
Narrator: CAPONE COUNTERS
THE GOVERNMENT'S CAMPAIGN
AND APPEALS DIRECTLY
TO THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO.
CAPONE DECIDED TO IMPROVE
HIS PUBLIC IMAGE
BY OPENING A SOUP KITCHEN.
MANY OF THE WORKING MEN WHO WERE
HIS PEOPLE WERE OUT OF WORK.
SO HE WANTED TO PLAY
THE ROBIN HOOD FIGURE.
BUT NOT ONLY THAT, HE WANTED
NEWSREEL CAMERAS TO COME
AND SEE HIM FEEDING
THE WORKING PEOPLE.
Narrator:
CAPONE SAYS THE REAL CROOKS
WEREN'T HUSTLERS LIKE HIM,
BUT STOCK MARKET SPECULATORS.
BUT THE STORY
IS ALWAYS AL CAPONE.
Bergreen: CAPONE WAS
A NARCISSIST TO THE EXTENT
THAT HE HAD A DISTORTED
IMPRESSION OF REALITY.
SO HE SAW HIMSELF AS THE CENTER
OF ALMOST ANYTHING
THAT WAS GOING ON,
AND HE FELT THAT HE WAS A FORCE
FOR GOOD IN THE WORLD.
[ BULB POPS ]
Narrator: CAPONE MAY THINK
HE'S A GOOD GUY,
BUT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
COULD HARDLY DISAGREE MORE.
[ CLAMORING ]
[ FLASH BULB POPS ]
[ CLAMORING CONTINUES ]
WORKING DILIGENTLY BEHIND
THE SCENES, FEDERAL AGENTS
HAVE BEEN BUILDING
A STRONG CASE FOR TAX EVASION.
Bergreen: CAPONE
WAS IMMENSELY RICH.
IN TODAY'S MONEY,
HE WAS WORTH BILLIONS,
AND HE DIDN'T PAY HIS TAXES.
Narrator: THE POLICE SMASH OPEN
CAPONE'S PRIVATE SAFE.
Raab: HE LIKED TO KEEP RECORDS
OF WHAT WAS COMING TO HIM
TO MAKE SURE
HE WASN'T BEING CHEATED.
SO FINALLY THEY HAD
THE GOODS ON HIM.
[ BULBS POPPING ]
Man: FACING TRIAL
ON INCOME TAX INVASION,
AL CAPONE FINDS
AN AROUSED GOVERNMENT
READY TO PUT HIM BEHIND BARS.
Narrator: CAPONE'S INDICTMENT
HITS THE HEADLINES,
BUT THE CHARGES
DON'T BOTHER CAPONE.
HIS ACCOUNTANTS
CAN STRIKE A DEAL.
Raab: WHEN HE FOUND OUT
HE WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION
BY FEDERAL AUDITORS,
HE WANTED TO COP A PLEA,
MAKE A PLEA BARGAIN,
ADMIT THAT HE HAD NOT
PAID TAXES FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
HE OFFERED THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT $1 MILLION
TO TAKE CARE OF HIS BACK TAXES,
BUT THEY WOULDN'T TAKE THAT.
[ SHOUTING, EXCITED CHATTER ]
*
Narrator: EVEN WHEN HE'S
BROUGHT TO TRIAL,
CAPONE IS CONFIDENT
THAT HE CAN WALK AWAY.
*
THE KING OF CHICAGO HAS
A SURE-FIRE WAY TO BEAT THE RAP.
Bergreen:
IT SEEMED LIKE HE WAS GOING TO
HAVE ANOTHER BRUSH WITH THE LAW.
HE DIDN'T PAY HIS TAXES.
HA-HA.
WHO WOULD HAVE EXPECTED
THAT HE WOULD?
AND THEN HE WOULD EVENTUALLY
GET OFF SCOT-FREE
AND BRIBE THE JURORS,
IF NECESSARY,
WHICH IS WHAT HE DID.
Narrator: AT THE TRIAL, CAPONE'S
MEN OPEN THE CHECKBOOKS.
THEY PAY OFF MEMBERS
OF THE JURY.
IT'S A CLASSIC MOB TACTIC
THAT HAS WORKED BEFORE.
BUT NOT THIS TIME.
[ INDISTINCT CHATTER ]
AT THE LAST MOMENT,
THE JUDGE SHOWS THAT THE LAW
IS ONE STEP AHEAD.
THE AUTHORITIES REALIZED THAT HE
PROBABLY WOULD TRY TO BRIBE
THE JURORS OR
THREATEN THEM IN SOME WAY
SO THEY WOULDN'T CONVICT HIM.
[ CHATTERING ]
SO THEY BROUGHT IN,
TO EVERYBODY'S SURPRISE,
AT THE LAST MINUTE,
ANOTHER JURY WHO COULDN'T
HAVE BEEN TAMPERED WITH.
*
[ Echoing ] GUILTY.
Narrator:
CAPONE COULDN'T BE OUTFOUGHT,
BUT HE HAD BEEN OUT-THOUGHT.
HE GETS AN 11-YEAR CONVICTION
FOR TAX EVASION.
*
NOBODY GOT 11 YEARS
FOR INCOME TAX VIOLATION.
THAT KIND OF CASE WOULD HAVE
RESULTED IN 18 MONTHS
OR SOMETHING,
BUT THEY GAVE HIM 11 YEARS.
Bergreen: HE WAS STUNNED.
HIS LAWYERS WERE STUNNED.
EVERYBODY WAS STUNNED.
IT DIDN'T SEEM POSSIBLE THAT
ONE COULD BE JAILED FOR SUCH A,
QUOTE, "MINOR" OFFENSE.
OF COURSE, THE GOVERNMENT WANTED
TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF CAPONE.
[ CHATTERING ]
Narrator: AL CAPONE,
THE MAN WHO ONCE
PUBLICLY BEAT A MAYOR,
NOW FINDS HIMSELF PUBLICLY
HUMILIATED BY THE LAW.
[ CHATTERING ]
AND THINGS WILL GO FROM BAD
TO WORSE FOR CAPONE
AS HE DISCOVERS THAT
PRISON LIFE ISN'T SO EASY...
[ GRUNTING ]
WHEN EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR FACE.
*
*
Narrator: ON OCTOBER 24th, 1931,
AL CAPONE, ONE OF THE BEST-KNOWN
MOBSTERS IN THE WORLD,
GOES TO JAIL FOR TAX EVASION.
Raab: THEY DIDN'T GET HIM
FOR ANY OF HIS GUNPLAY,
FOR ANY OF HIS MURDERS,
FOR ANY OF HIS RACKETEERING.
THEY GOT HIM ON
INCOME TAX EVASION,
SOMETHING HE HAD
NEVER ANTICIPATED.
*
Narrator: CAPONE'S DOWNFALL
MAKES THE NEWS ACROSS THE WORLD.
*
IT LOOKS LIKE THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT HAS DEALT
A MORTAL BLOW
TO ORGANIZED CRIME.
BUT IN FACT, CAPONE
HAS PROVIDED GANGSTERS,
LIKE LUCKY LUCIANO,
WITH A SMOKESCREEN.
*
BEYOND THE GLARE OF PUBLICITY,
A NEW, SECRETIVE,
AND HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
ORGANIZATION OF MOBSTERS
IS TAKING SHAPE...
[ MEN LAUGHING ]
...AND THEY'RE HAPPY
THAT CAPONE IS LOCKED AWAY.
Bergreen: OTHER GANGSTERS
REJOICED THAT CAPONE
WAS NOW NO LONGER AT LARGE.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THEY WERE
AFRAID THAT THE SAME THING
COULD HAPPEN TO THEM.
GANGSTERS LEARNED TO AVOID
PUBLICITY FROM CAPONE
BECAUSE THEY SAW
WHERE IT GOT HIM.
THEY REALIZED
IT MADE HIM A TARGET
FOR FEDERAL INVESTIGATIONS
THAT EVENTUALLY
PUT HIM IN JAIL.
Narrator: OUTSIDE,
LUCKY LUCIANO WILL MAKE SURE
THAT THE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY
OF GANGLAND VIOLENCE
WILL NEVER AGAIN
DAMAGE THEIR BUSINESS.
*
*
WHEN LUCIANO MAKES HIS PLAY
FOR CONTROL OF THE NEW YORK MOB,
HE DOES IT NOT BY ORDERING
A PUBLIC MASSACRE,
BUT WITH JUST TWO
STRATEGIC HITS.
FIRST, HE SACRIFICES HIS OWN
GODFATHER, JOE MASSERIA.
AND NEXT, MASSERIA'S ARCHRIVAL,
SALVATORE MARANZANO.
[ GRUNTING ]
*
LUCIANO IS NOW THE MOST
POWERFUL MOBSTER IN NEW YORK.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
SOON HE WILL LEAD
THE COMMISSION,
THE MOB'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
AND USHER IN A NEW ERA
OF COOPERATION AND WEALTH
FOR WHAT WILL BECOME
THE AMERICAN MAFIA.
WHERE CAPONE FAILED IN
HIS VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE,
LUCKY LUCIANO TAKES EVERYTHING
WITH JUST TWO DEATHS.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
[ CELL DOORS CLANKING ]
*
BEHIND BARS, HIS EMPIRE GONE,
CAPONE'S REPUTATION
IS IN TATTERS.
NOW THE GOVERNMENT
DECIDE TO USE CAPONE
FOR SOME PUBLICITY OF THEIR OWN.
THEY MOVE AMERICA'S
MOST HIGH-PROFILE GANGSTER
TO THE NEW ISLAND FORTRESS
OF ALCATRAZ.
Deirdre: PRESIDENT HOOVER
SAID TO THE WARDEN,
"IF YOU WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW
WHAT A HORRIBLE PLACE
ALCATRAZ IS, TRANSFER
AL CAPONE OUT THERE,"
AND THAT IS EXACTLY
WHAT THEY DID.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
HE WAS IN
A 6-FOOT-BY-10-FOOT CELL,
AND THEY PUT HIM ON THE OUTSIDE
WHERE HE COULD LOOK ACROSS
THE BAY AT SAN FRANCISCO.
*
FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO VISIT HIM,
THEY HAD TO GET ON A FERRY BOAT
AND GO ACROSS THE WATER.
Narrator: NO LONGER
THE FEARED MAN HE ONCE WAS,
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE,
CAPONE TRIES TO KEEP
A LOW PROFILE.
*
Bergreen: WHEN AL CAPONE
WAS IN ALCATRAZ,
IT WAS HUMILIATING IN PART
BECAUSE OTHER PRISONERS
WERE NOT AFRAID OF HIM.
HE WAS GIVEN A VERY DEROGATORY
TERM, THE WOP WITH THE MOP,
BECAUSE HE WAS OFTEN
SEEN MOPPING.
*
[ CLICKS ]
Narrator: CAPONE LEARNS
THAT HIS REPUTATION
IS NOW A MAGNET FOR CRIMINALS
WANTING TO MAKE A NAME.
ONE IS JIMMY LUCAS,
A MEMBER OF A GANG CALLED
THE TEXAS COWBOYS.
[ STABBING ]
[ GRUNTING ]
CAPONE'S FALL FROM GRACE
IS COMPLETE.
[ GRUNTING CONTINUES ]
HIS LIFE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
IS BEARING BITTER HARVEST.
*
IN TIME, PRISON DOCTORS
DISCOVER THAT PERHAPS
CAPONE WASN'T ENTIRELY TO BLAME
FOR HIS RECKLESS BEHAVIOR.
Bergreen: AL CAPONE
SUFFERED FROM SYPHILIS.
HE ACQUIRED IT FROM PROSTITUTES
AS A YOUNG MAN IN BROOKLYN,
DIDN'T REALIZE THAT HE HAD IT,
AND IT EXPLAINS A LOT
ABOUT HIS BEHAVIOR
AND HIS TEMPERAMENTAL OUTBURSTS
THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE.
AS HE GOT OLDER, IT ALSO
SHATTERED HIS HEALTH
BECAUSE THERE WAS NO CURE
FOR IT AT THE TIME.
*
Narrator: IN 1939,
CAPONE IS RELEASED FROM PRISON
ON MEDICAL ADVICE.
[ CHATTERING ]
BY NOW, THE SYPHILIS
HAD SPREAD TO HIS BRAIN,
AND AL CAPONE HAS THE MENTAL AGE
OF A 12-YEAR-OLD.
Deirdre: THE FAMILY HAD A BIG
PARTY FOR HIM IN CHICAGO
WHEN HE GOT RELEASED,
AND MY MOTHER SAID
THAT AL WAS THERE,
BUT HE WOULD COME UP TO HER
AND SAY, "WHO ARE YOU?"
AND THEN HE WOULD GO OVER
TO HIS OWN SISTER
AND SAY, "WHO ARE YOU?"
*
Narrator: AL CAPONE WILL
LIVE OUT THE REST OF HIS LIFE
IN SECLUSION
IN HIS MANSION IN FLORIDA,
A GANGSTER WITHOUT A GANG.
*
ON JANUARY THE 18th, 1947,
SHORTLY AFTER CELEBRATING
HIS 48th BIRTHDAY,
AL CAPONE SUFFERS A MASSIVE
STROKE AND SLIPS INTO A COMA.
*
AT ALMOST THE EXACT SAME TIME,
SOME OF THE BIGGEST MOB BOSSES
IN THE U.S.
MEET IN HAVANA, CUBA.
THEY PLAN THE FUTURE OF THE MOB,
A FUTURE WITHOUT AL CAPONE.
*
INSTEAD, IT WILL BE LED
BY LUCKY LUCIANO.
Raab: HE WANTED
THE AMERICAN MAFIA
TO BE A MIRROR
OF AMERICAN CAPITALISM,
TO CASH IN ON ANYTHING
THAT WORKED WITH CAPITALISM,
AND HE WASN'T GOING
TO BE RESTRICTED.
THIS WAS A NEW ERA, AND HE WAS
GOING TO MODERNIZE THE MOB,
AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HE DID.
*
Narrator: A FEW DAYS AFTER
HIS STROKE, CAPONE DIES.
*
THE ERA OF CELEBRITY MOBSTER
IS OVER,
AND A NEW GENERATION
OF GANGSTERS IS BORN.
[ MEN CHATTERING ]
NOW MOBSTERS WILL WORK TOGETHER
TO CREATE A SECRET SOCIETY
THAT DOMINATE CRIME
FOR GENERATIONS.
THEY CALL IT "OUR THING,"
LA COSA NOSTRA.
[ GLASSES CLINK ]
THE WORLD WILL KNOW IT
BY ANOTHER NAME --
THE AMERICA MAFIA.
[ GUNSHOT ]
*
THE FOUNDATIONS
FOR THIS ORGANIZATION
WERE LAID BY AL CAPONE,
BUT HIS CONTRIBUTION
WASN'T THROUGH INSPIRATION.
IT WAS HIS BRUTAL
AND PUBLIC MISTAKES
THAT HAD TAUGHT THE MOB
HOW NOT TO BEHAVE.
HIS CAREER MAY HAVE ENDED
IN DISASTER, BUT TO THIS DAY,
AL CAPONE DEFIANTLY REMAINS
THE MOST FAMOUS NAME
IN MOB HISTORY,
PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE.
*
OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN AMERICA,
ONE MAN DOMINATED THE HEADLINES.
[ GUNFIRE ]
Raab: ALPHONSE CAPONE
WAS AMERICA'S
FIRST SUPERSTAR GANGSTER.
Narrator: HE'S SAID TO BE
RESPONSIBLE
FOR ONE OF THE BLOODIEST HITS
IN MOB HISTORY...
[ GUNFIRE ]
...THE SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY
MASSACRE.
Hendley: AL CAPONE IS ARGUABLY
THE ONLY GANGSTER AT THE TIME
WHO COULD MURDER SEVEN OF
HIS OPPONENTS IN BROAD DAYLIGHT
IN ONE OF THE MOST
AUDACIOUS HITS
AT THAT TIME
IN GANGSTER HISTORY.
[ BULB POPS ]
Narrator:
BUT BEHIND THE HEADLINES,
THE TRUE SIGNIFICANCE
OF CAPONE'S CAREER
IS LESS WELL-KNOWN.
HE BECAME THE FACE
OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN AMERICA,
AND NATURALLY, THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT HAD TO COME IN
AND BRING HIM DOWN.
Narrator: CAPONE'S SWAGGER
SET THE TONE
FOR ONE OF THE MOST GLAMOROUS
ERAS IN GANGLAND HISTORY,
BUT IT WAS CAPONE'S WEAKNESS,
NOT HIS STRENGTH,
THAT WOULD TEACH
A GROUP OF WARRING MOBS
A LESSON THEY WOULD
NEVER FORGET...
[ GUNFIRE ]
...AND SET THEM ON COURSE
FOR A TRANSFORMATION
INTO THE SINGLE POWERFUL ENTITY
WE NOW KNOW
AS THE AMERICAN MAFIA.
THIS IS THE REAL STORY
OF AL CAPONE.
*
[ GUNSHOTS ]
*
[ GUNSHOT,
CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS ]
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
[ GUNSHOT ]
*
Narrator: 1924, CHICAGO...
[ REPORTERS CLAMORING,
FLASH BULBS POPPING ]
[ EXCITED CONVERSATIONS ]
Narrator:
IN THE SUBURB OF CICERO,
JOSEPH KLENHA, THE TOWN'S MAYOR,
ADDRESSES A CROWD OF REPORTERS.
BEHIND HIM STANDS THE MAN
WHO SECURED HIS ELECTION...
[ SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ]
...MOBSTER ALPHONSE CAPONE.
AL CAPONE REALIZED THAT
PART OF THE SECRET TO POWER
WAS TO CONTROL
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS,
WHICH HE DID
BY BRIBING OFFICIALS.
HE CONTROLLED A LOCAL MAYOR,
JOSEPH KLENHA,
WHOM HE CONSIDERED HIS GUY
WHO WAS DUTY-BOUND
TO OBEY HIS ORDERS.
Narrator:
BUT CAPONE ISN'T HAPPY.
THE MAYOR HAS GONE OFF MESSAGE
AND UNEXPECTEDLY SPEAKS OUT
AGAINST ILLEGAL SPEAKEASIES,
WHICH ARE THE FOUNDATION
OF CAPONE'S CRIMINAL EMPIRE.
CAPONE ISN'T GOING TO ALLOW
SUCH PUBLIC DISRESPECT.
Reppetto: SO HE AND THE MAYOR
WERE STANDING ON THE STEPS
OF CITY HALL,
AND THEY HAD SOME
KIND OF ARGUMENT,
SO AL JUST WHIPPED OUT
THE BLACKJACK.
[ STRIKES ]
[ CROWD MURMURING EXCITEDLY ]
HE LITERALLY KICKED THE MAYOR
DOWN THE STEPS TO SHOW PUBLICLY
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE,
EVEN POLITICIANS,
WHO DEFY AL CAPONE.
*
Narrator: OTHER MOB BOSSES WOULD
PUT THE MAYOR STRAIGHT
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS...
BUT NOT AL CAPONE.
IN THIS PART OF CHICAGO,
HE FEARS NO ONE.
*
WHAT KIND OF MAN
CAN BEAT UP THE MAYOR
DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE COPS
AND GET AWAY WITH IT?
*
CAPONE'S RISE TO POWER
IN CHICAGO
BEGINS IN THE YEARS
OF PROHIBITION.
IN 1919, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
OUTLAWS THE SALE OF BOOZE.
SELLING BEER OR WHISKEY
IS NOW A CRIME.
*
CUE THE ARRIVAL OF A YOUNG
NEW YORK HOOD CALLED AL CAPONE.
THE YOUNG HEAVY HAS COME TO WORK
FOR GANG BOSS JOHNNY TORRIO.
TORRIO IS BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS BOOTLEGGING BOOZE
AND ILLEGALLY SUPPLYING IT
TO THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO.
*
TORRIO IS ONE OF MANY GANGSTERS
ACROSS THE U.S.
TURNING A FORTUNE
BY MAKING SURE
THAT GOOD TIMES
CONTINUE TO ROLL.
*
TORRIO'S ILLEGAL SPEAKEASIES
SERVE HIS IMPORTED BOOZE
TO THIRSTY CHICAGOANS ACROSS
THE SOUTH OF THE CITY.
Hendley: PROHIBITION WAS
A COMPLETE FAILURE IN BIG CITIES
LIKE NEW YORK AND CHICAGO,
AND CHICAGO ALREADY
HAD A REPUTATION
FOR HAVING A CORRUPT GOVERNMENT
AND A THRIVING UNDERWORLD,
EVEN BEFORE PROHIBITION.
*
Narrator: AND CHICAGO FINDS
ITSELF WELL-PLACED
FOR THIS UNINTENDED
CRIMINAL OPPORTUNITY.
Bergreen: CHICAGO BECAME THE
QUINTESSENTIAL PROHIBITION CITY
BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION.
IT WAS CLOSE TO CANADA,
JUST ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN.
THAT MEANT THAT BOOZE
COULD FREELY COME INTO THE CITY
AS AN ENTRY POINT.
Narrator: GANGSTERS LIKE TORRIO
QUICKLY LEARN
THAT THERE'S BIG MONEY
IN TURNING THE SMUGGLING
AND SELLING OF BOOZE
INTO A SLICK BUSINESS.
*
TORRIO'S CHICAGO OUTFIT BECOMES
ONE OF THE BIGGEST IN THE CITY,
AND THE RAPID GROWTH MEANS
TORRIO IS ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT
FOR FRESH TALENT.
*
ENTER ALPHONSE CAPONE...
[ MEN SHOUTING ]
AND THE YOUNG MAN'S
RUTHLESSNESS AND BUSINESS SHARPS
SEE HIM RAPIDLY RISE
THROUGH THE RANKS.
[ SHOUTING CONTINUES ]
Bergreen: HE QUICKLY
IDENTIFIED AL CAPONE
AS A PROMISING
UP-AND-COMER AND A PROTéGé
AND GRADUALLY LET AL CAPONE HAVE
MORE AND MORE RESPONSIBILITY.
[ SHOUTING CONTINUES ]
Narrator: BUT TORRIO'S SUCCESS
MAKES HIM A PRIME TARGET
FOR RIVAL GANGS.
[ SEA BIRDS CALLING ]
*
ONE NIGHT, JOHNNY TORRIO
IS AMBUSHED.
*
[ GUNSHOTS ECHO ]
HE IS SHOT REPEATEDLY
IN THE NECK AND GROIN.
*
HIS ATTACKER IS ONE OF HIS
UNDERWORLD BUSINESS RIVALS,
NOTORIOUS GANGSTER AND
BOOTLEGGER GEORGE "BUGS" MORAN.
*
BUGS AIMS THE GUN
AT JOHNNY'S HEAD,
BUT AS TORRIO WAITS
FOR THE COUP DE GRâCE...
*
[ CHAMBER CLICKS ]
BUGS' GUN MISFIRES.
HE'S OUT OF BULLETS.
MORAN LEAVES TORRIO
TO BLEED OUT.
MIRACULOUSLY, TORRIO SURVIVES,
BUT THE ATTACK
AFFECTS HIM DEEPLY.
Hendley: JOHNNY TORRIO WAS
ALMOST MURDERED
IN FRONT OF HIS OWN APARTMENT,
AND HE DECIDES
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
*
Narrator: TORRIO IS SURE CHICAGO
IS NO LONGER SAFE.
SO HE MAKES A LIFE-CHANGING
DECISION FOR HIM AND FOR CAPONE.
Hendley:
WHILE TORRIO IS RECOVERING
FROM HIS GUNSHOT WOUNDS,
HE TURNS EVERYTHING
OVER TO AL CAPONE,
YOU KNOW, HIS FORMER PROTéGé,
AND CAPONE, OF COURSE,
IS DELIGHTED BY THIS.
*
Narrator: TORRIO LEAVES BEHIND
ONE OF THE BIGGEST BOOTLEGGING
SYNDICATES IN AMERICA
AND HANDS THE WHOLE CHICAGO
OUTFIT TO AL CAPONE.
*
[ TRAIN BRAKES SCREECH ]
*
AT ONLY 26 YEARS OLD,
CAPONE IS NOW ONE OF THE
YOUNGEST MOB BOSSES
IN AMERICA...
WORTH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
[ LIGHTER FLICKS ]
AND HE MOVES QUICKLY
TO PUT HIS OWN STAMP
ON THE CHICAGO UNDERWORLD.
Hendley: CAPONE IS A VERY
RUTHLESS INDIVIDUAL,
A VERY VIOLENT INDIVIDUAL.
HE CAME FROM A VERY
POOR BACKGROUND,
REALIZED VERY QUICKLY
THAT, YOU KNOW,
THE ONLY WAY TO GET
TO THE TOP WAS THROUGH,
YOU KNOW, VIOLENCE.
Narrator: CAPONE CLEARS THE PATH
TO PROFIT BY BRIBING POLICE,
INTIMIDATING POLITICIANS...
[ SHOUTING ]
...AND THREATENING HIS RIVALS.
[ GUNSHOT ]
[ GRUNTING ]
[ SHIP HORN BLOWS ]
CAPONE IS SOON OUTPACING
HIS CONTEMPORARIES
IN THE OTHER GREAT
PROHIBITION CITY, NEW YORK...
*
...YOUNG GANGSTERS LIKE
MEYER LANSKY AND FRANK COSTELLO.
IN FACT, THE ONLY MOBSTER
WHO CAN KEEP PACE WITH HIM
IS ONE SAVVY INDIVIDUAL,
A BRIGHT YOUNG MAN
WHO WILL GO ON TO BECOME
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT NAMES
IN U.S. GANGSTER HISTORY,
LUCKY LUCIANO.
THE TWO GREAT CONTEMPORARIES
WAS AL CAPONE IN CHICAGO
AND CHARLES "LUCKY" LUCIANO
IN NEW YORK.
Narrator: LUCKY LUCIANO WAS
A RISING LIEUTENANT
IN ONE OF THE BIG
NEW YORK GANGS,
BUT HE APPROACHES BUSINESS IN
A VERY DIFFERENT WAY TO CAPONE.
Raab: THERE WAS AN IMMENSE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM.
LUCIANO DID NOT LOOK
FOR THE SPOTLIGHT.
HE WASN'T INTERESTED
IN ATTENTION.
HE KNEW SECRECY
WAS HIS BEST SAFEGUARD.
Narrator: WHILE CAPONE'S
SUCCESS IS BUILT
ON FEAR AND INTIMIDATION,
LUCIANO BELIEVES VIOLENCE
INEVITABLY LEADS TO CONFLICT.
HIS CARDINAL OBJECT WAS TO BE
NO WARS BETWEEN THE FAMILIES.
*
[ GUNSHOT ]
Narrator: ATTACKING YOUR
RIVALS IN THE STREETS
BROUGHT DOUBLE TROUBLE...
[ GUNSHOT ]
*
[ CHOKING ]
...REVENGE ATTACKS
AND UNWANTED POLICE ATTENTION.
[ GUNSHOT ]
*
IF ONLY THE MOBS
COULD WORK TOGETHER,
THEY COULD MAKE FAR MORE MONEY
WITHOUT ATTRACTING THE COPS.
Raab: HE WANTED NO HITS,
NO HEADLINES.
IF THERE WAS BLOODSHED,
THE BODIES SHOULDN'T BE FOUND.
ALL HE WANTED WAS EVERYONE
SHOULD SHARE THE WEALTH.
Narrator: BUT LUCIANO'S WAY
DOESN'T SUIT CAPONE.
HE DOESN'T WANT TO WORK
WITH THE OTHERS.
HE JUST WANTS CHICAGO
ALL TO HIMSELF.
AND RIGHT NOW ONE GANGSTER
STANDS IN CAPONE'S WAY,
THE MAN WHO TRIED
TO KILL HIS OLD BOSS,
GEORGE "BUGS" MORAN.
[ GUNSHOT ]
WITH MORAN OUT OF THE WAY,
HE'D BE THE UNDISPUTED
KING OF CHICAGO.
BUT CAPONE DOESN'T
DO THINGS DISCREETLY.
WHEN BIG AL MAKES A HIT,
IT'S GOT TO BE THE BIGGEST HIT
IN MOB HISTORY.
[ GUNFIRE ]
*
[ HORNS HONKING ]
*
Narrator: AT JUST 26,
AL CAPONE HAS TAKEN CONTROL
OF THE CHICAGO OUTFIT.
[ STRIKE ECHOES ]
IT'S ONE OF THE CITY'S
TWO BIGGEST CRIMINAL GANGS,
RUNNING THE SOUTH SIDE
OF THE WINDY CITY,
BUT CAPONE WANTS ALL OF CHICAGO.
[ HORNS HONKING ]
*
AND THE MAN WHO STANDS
BETWEEN CAPONE
AND BEING KING
OF THE CHICAGO UNDERWORLD
IS GEORGE "BUGS" MORAN,
THE MOBSTER WHO RUNS
THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CITY.
Raab: HE THOUGHT HE HAD TO
ELIMINATE THE BUGS MORAN GANG,
SO HE COULD BE,
IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT,
THE BOSS OF BOSSES,
NO COMPETITION IN CHICAGO.
Narrator: CAPONE AND MORAN
ARE HEADING DOWN THE ROAD
TO A BRUTAL WAR.
Bergreen: THE TWO OF THEM BECAME
RIVALS FOR A CRIMINAL EMPIRE.
ONLY ONE OF THEM
COULD POSSIBLY SURVIVE
WHAT WAS, ESSENTIALLY,
A FIGHT TO THE DEATH.
Narrator: CAPONE'S GANG LAUNCH
A SERIES OF VIOLENT ATTACKS
ON MORAN'S NETWORK...
GENTLEMEN.
*
...AND MORAN HITS BACK.
[ GUNFIRE CONTINUES ]
CHICAGO HAS NEVER SEEN
VIOLENCE LIKE IT.
THE PRESS GO INTO OVERDRIVE,
CALLING THE BLOODY CONFLICT
CHICAGO'S BEER WAR.
*
CAPONE'S ON THE WAY
TO BECOMING
AMERICA'S FIRST-EVER
CELEBRITY GANGSTER.
*
[ HORNS HONKING ]
*
[ CUP CLATTERING ]
*
CAPONE WAS NEVER GOING TO BE
AN ELUSIVE MOB BOSS,
WORKING IN THE SHADOWS.
*
HE MAKES THE FIVE-STAR
METROPOLE HOTEL
IN THE CENTER OF CHICAGO
HIS NEW HQ.
*
CAPONE TAKES OVER
AN ENTIRE FLOOR,
WITH HOOKERS REGULARLY VISITING.
Bergreen: THE METROPOLE BECAME
A KIND OF UNOFFICIAL
CITY HALL IN CHICAGO.
EVERYBODY KNEW WHERE
THEY COULD FIND HIM
OR SOMEBODY WHO KNEW HIM.
HE WAS ACCESSIBLE.
THAT WAS VERY UNUSUAL
FOR A GANGSTER,
AND HE LOVED TO SEE
AND BE SEEN WHEREVER HE WENT,
AND HE WORE VERY
CONSPICUOUS CLOTHES.
HIS SUITS WERE KIND OF
AN ELECTRIC BLUE
OR ELECTRIC PURPLE.
SO HE WAS A PEACOCK,
AND HE LOVED TO SHOW OFF.
[ BULBS POP ]
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ]
Narrator: CAPONE BRIBES
LOCAL LAWMAKERS
SO HE'S FREE TO FLAUNT
HIS POSITION IN PUBLIC
WITHOUT FEAR OF ARREST.
HE WANTS PEOPLE TO KNOW
THE FACE OF AL CAPONE.
Hendley:
CAPONE LOVES HIS NOTORIETY,
THAT HE LOVES BEING SEEN
AS THE BAD GUY,
AND HE REALLY --
HE SORT OF PLAYS THIS UP,
THAT, YOU KNOW,
THE WAY HE LOOKS,
THE WAY HE DRESSES,
THE WAY HE ACTS.
HE'S ALMOST LIKE
A HOLLYWOOD IMITATION
OF A GANGSTER IN MANY WAYS.
Deirdre Capone:
HE WAS A HUGE PERSONALITY.
HE WOULD GO INTO A NIGHTCLUB,
HE WOULD GO INTO A RESTAURANT,
AND HE WOULD HAVE TO SIT
IN THE CENTER OF THE ROOM
SO THAT EVERYBODY WOULD
KNOW THAT HE WAS THERE.
*
Narrator: BUT WHILE CAPONE
ENJOYS THE LIMELIGHT IN CHICAGO,
HIS HEADLINES ARE CAUSING
SERIOUS ALARM IN NEW YORK.
Bergreen:
RIVALS LIKE LUCKY LUCIANO
WERE APPALLED BY THIS BEHAVIOR
BECAUSE THEY FELT CAPONE WAS
JUST ATTRACTING ATTENTION
TO THEIR ILLICIT ACTIVITIES.
THEY WISHED HE WOULD
JUST STOP AND GO AWAY
AND LET THEM CONTINUE WITHOUT
BENEFIT OF ALL THIS ATTENTION.
Narrator: BUT CHICAGO ISN'T
GOING TO GO AWAY...
*
AND CAPONE'S WAR WITH MORAN
IS ABOUT TO SPIRAL
OUT OF CONTROL.
*
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
*
[ ENGINE REVVING ]
*
ON SEPTEMBER THE 20th, 1926,
AL CAPONE IS EATING
AT A FAVORITE HAUNT
AT THE HAWTHORNE HOTEL
ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF CHICAGO.
*
AS USUAL, CAPONE ISN'T HIDING.
HE LIKES TO BE SEEN.
*
AND HIS ARCHRIVAL, BUGS MORAN,
HAS BEEN WATCHING HIM
VERY CLOSELY INDEED.
THEY SENT CARLOADS OF GUNMEN
OUT THERE TO BLAST CAPONE.
*
[ CLICK ]
[ GUNFIRE, GLASS SHATTERING ]
Narrator: THE GUNMEN OPEN FIRE
INDISCRIMINANTLY.
*
HIS BODYGUARD, FRANK RIO,
FLINGS CAPONE TO THE FLOOR
TO PROTECT HIM.
THOUSANDS OF BULLETS
ARE UNLEASHED
IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.
[ GUNFIRE, GLASS SHATTERING ]
Bergreen: BULLETS AND GLASS
WENT FLYING,
AND CAPONE REALIZED
HOW VULNERABLE HE WAS.
Narrator: REMARKABLY,
CAPONE SURVIVES,
AND NOW HE HAS ONE THING
ON HIS MIND -- REVENGE.
*
AND THE CHICAGO BEER WAR
IS ABOUT TO MAKE HEADLINES
ACROSS THE U.S.
*
Raab: CAPONE'S PHILOSOPHY WAS --
KILL, AND THEN WORRY ABOUT
THE CONSEQUENCES.
Bergreen: IT WAS A WAR ZONE.
THEY DIDN'T USE
THE WORD TERRORISM,
BUT GANGSTERS WERE CERTAINLY
TERRORIZING THE CITY,
AND IT WAS SEEN
AS A NATIONAL CRISIS.
Narrator: THE WAR RAGES ON
UNTIL 1929,
WHEN CAPONE DECIDES TO END IT
ONCE AND FOR ALL.
*
THIS TIME, HE WILL MAKE
A BLOODY STATEMENT
THAT HE HOPES WILL END
HIS PROBLEMS FOREVER.
[ GUNFIRE ]
HIS VIOLENT ATTACK
WILL GO DOWN IN MOB HISTORY,
BUT IT WILL ALSO PLANT
THE SEEDS OF HIS DOWNFALL.
*
*
Narrator: NOTORIOUS CHICAGO
MOB BOSS AL CAPONE
SURVIVES A VIOLENT AND VERY
PUBLIC ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE.
NOW HE PLANS TO SHOW
RIVAL MOBSTER BUGS MORAN
HOW TO REALLY MAKE HEADLINES.
[ CLICK ]
WHEN HE KILLS MORAN,
HE'LL BE KING OF CHICAGO,
AND THE WHOLE WORLD WILL KNOW.
*
WHEN BUGS MORAN GETS
AN ANONYMOUS TIP-OFF
TO BUY A STOLEN LOAD OF
CAPONE'S BOOTLEG WHISKEY,
HE THINKS IT'S
THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY
TO GET THE UPPER HAND
ON HIS ARCHRIVAL.
[ RINGS ]
MORAN TELLS HIS CREW THEY'LL DO
THE DEAL AT THEIR SECRET GARAGE
ON FEBRUARY THE 14th --
SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY.
[ LIGHTER FLICKS ]
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
MORAN'S GANG WAITS PATIENTLY
FOR THE LOAD TO ARRIVE...
*
...BUT BEFORE
THE SHIPMENT COMES IN,
BUGS' CREW GET AN UNEXPECTED
VISIT FROM THE COPS.
IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE
HAS RATTED ON THE DEAL.
*
[ CLICK ]
MORAN'S GANG AREN'T TOO WORRIED.
THEY CAN USUALLY BUY THE COPS'
SILENCE WITH A BRIBE OR TWO.
*
BUT NOT THESE COPS.
THEY AREN'T LAW ENFORCERS.
THEY'RE CAPONE'S
COLD-BLOODED KILLERS.
[ SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ]
Hendley: HE HAD ONE OF HIS CHIEF
ASSASSINS PUT TOGETHER A PLAN
TO ELIMINATE AS MANY
OF THE BUGS MORAN GANG
MEMBERS AS POSSIBLE.
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
THE ASSASSINS PRETENDED
TO BE POLICEMEN,
HAD THE GANGSTERS LINE UP
AGAINST THE WALL,
PRETENDING TO FRISK THEM.
*
Narrator: MORAN'S MEN REALIZE
TOO LATE THIS ISN'T A RAID.
IT'S A HIT.
*
[ GUNFIRE ]
*
Bergreen: CAPONE DECIDED
TO STAGE A MASSACRE,
BUT HE DIDN'T WANT
TO DO IT HIMSELF.
HE WASN'T GOING TO STAND THERE
WITH A MACHINE GUN
AND SPATTER PEOPLE WITH BULLETS.
[ GUNFIRE CONTINUES ]
HE WAS MUCH MORE LIKELY
TO HIRE DANGEROUS GUNMEN
TO ASSASSINATE SOMEBODY
THAN TO DO IT HIMSELF.
Narrator: IN A MATTER
OF SECONDS,
MORAN'S SQUAD LIE DEAD
ON THE FLOOR.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE SHOCKING
SCENE SPREAD ACROSS THE NATION,
AND THE BLOODBATH
IS KNOWN FOREVER
AS THE SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY
MASSACRE.
*
TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE CAN
PIN THE KILLINGS ON HIM,
CAPONE SITS A LONG WAY AWAY
IN THE COMPANY OF AN ATTORNEY.
*
BUT HE KNOWS THAT HE WILL
BE THE BENEFICIARY.
WITH MORAN OUT OF THE WAY,
CHICAGO IS HIS.
IF MORAN IS DEAD,
CAPONE REALIZES HE'S WON,
THAT HE HAS SOLE CONTROL
OF THE RACKETS IN CHICAGO,
AND HE'S THE TOP DOG THERE,
AND IT MEANS THAT
HE'S IMMENSELY WEALTHY.
IN TODAY'S DOLLARS,
HE WOULD BE A BILLIONAIRE.
[ PHONE RINGING ]
*
Narrator: BUT MORAN WASN'T AMONG
THE SEVEN CORPSES
LYING ON THE GARAGE FLOOR.
HE NEVER MADE IT TO THE SCENE
OF THE SHOOTING.
WHEN HE SAW THE COP CAR OUTSIDE,
HE KEPT DRIVING.
*
[ SLAMS PHONE ]
*
CAPONE'S ARCHENEMY
IS STILL ALIVE.
[ SLAMS PHONE ]
AND CAPONE IS ABOUT TO DISCOVER
THAT HIS BOTCHED
VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE...
*
...WILL ADD POWERFUL NAMES
TO HIS LIST OF ENEMIES.
*
WHILE CAPONE IS PUBLICLY
BATTLING WITH MORAN
FOR SUPREMACY OF CHICAGO,
BEHIND THE SCENES, UP-AND-COMING
MOBSTER LUCKY LUCIANO
IS PLOTTING TO MAKE HIS OWN
POWER PLAY FOR NEW YORK.
HIS VISION IS TO END
THE VIOLENT IN-FIGHTING
AND EASE THE PRESSURE
FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT.
IT'S A REVOLUTION
IN THE CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD.
*
WITH CAPONE'S MASSACRE STILL
FRESH IN THE HEADLINES,
LUCIANO AND OTHER
NEW YORK MOBSTERS
PLAN A CONFERENCE
IN ATLANTIC CITY.
Dezenhall: A LOT OF WHAT THEY
WANTED TO TALK ABOUT
AT THE ATLANTIC CITY
CONFERENCE IS,
"HOW DO WE DO THIS IN A MANNER
"WHERE NOT EVERYBODY
ENDS UP DEAD?
"HOW DO WE DO THIS IN A WAY
THAT DOESN'T DRAW THE ATTENTION
FROM THE AUTHORITIES?"
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
Narrator: THE OBVIOUS MOVE IS TO
GET VIOLENCE OFF THE STREETS
AND TO RUN THE MOB
AS A PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS.
THE APPROACH COULDN'T
SUIT CAPONE LESS.
SO LUCIANO AND THE OTHERS
TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS
AND INVITE THE HOTHEADED
CHICAGO KILLER
TO THE ATLANTIC CITY CONFERENCE
TO SIT DOWN AND THRASH IT OUT.
Hendley: OTHER GANGSTERS, EITHER
IN CHICAGO OR IN NEW YORK CITY,
THEY WERE A LITTLE WARY OF HIM
BECAUSE THEY DID REGARD HIM
AS A BIT OF A LOOSE CANNON,
AND THEY REALLY DIDN'T LIKE HIS
PUBLICITY-SEEKING PERSONALITY.
*
Narrator:
FRESH IN EVERYONE'S MIND
IS THE SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY
MASSACRE.
CAPONE MAY LOVE TO SEEK OUT
THE LIMELIGHT,
BUT LUCIANO AND THE OTHER
MOBSTERS PREDICT
SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.
Dezenhall: IT WAS VERY
RATIONAL FOR RACKETEERS.
AS MUCH AS PEOPLE THINK THAT
THEY'RE THESE BIG TOUGH GUYS
WHO ARE AFRAID OF NOTHING,
THEY'RE VERY AFRAID
OF THE GOVERNMENT,
AND THE LAST THING THEY WANT
IS TO BRING DOWN THE FULL FORCE
OF THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT ON THEM.
Narrator: LUCIANO,
WITH THE OTHER GANGSTERS,
ASK CAPONE TO CHANGE HIS WAYS.
[ MEN ARGUING ]
BUT CAPONE TAKES ISSUE
WITH HIS COMPETITORS
TELLING HIM HOW
TO RUN HIS BUSINESS...
[ ARGUING CONTINUES ]
*
...AND HE STORMS OUT.
IT SOON BECOMES CLEAR
THAT CAPONE
SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO LUCIANO.
*
JUST AS LUCIANO WARNED,
CAPONE'S WILD KILLINGS
SOON COME TO THE ATTENTION
OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
MAN IN AMERICA.
*
Raab: THERE WAS A NEW PRESIDENT,
HERBERT HOOVER,
AND HIS FIRST THING WAS HE WAS
CONFRONTED BY HEADLINES
FROM COAST TO COAST
ABOUT THIS MASSACRE
AND ABOUT THESE OUTRAGEOUS
ACTIVITIES IN CHICAGO.
*
Narrator: HOOVER LAUNCHES
A SPECIAL TASK FORCE
WITH ONE MISSION --
GET CAPONE.
Bergreen: THE SAINT VALENTINE'S
DAY MASSACRE MARKED
A TURNING POINT OF THE BEGINNING
OF A CONCERTED
FEDERAL EFFORT TO GET CAPONE,
I.E. GET HIM
BEHIND BARS SOME WAY.
[ HORNS HONK ]
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
Narrator: LUCIANO
AND OTHER GANGSTERS
TRY TO PUT OUT
THE PUBLIC FIRESTORM
THAT CAPONE HAS STARTED.
[ CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE ]
THEY MEET WITH JOURNALISTS
AND TELL THEM
CAPONE'S CHICAGO OUTFIT
WILL BE DISBANDED.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
THE STORY'S JUST A RUSE
TO DEFUSE THE HEAT.
BUT CAPONE KNOWS THE STORY'S
ALSO A MESSAGE.
THE OTHER FAMILIES
ARE RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE.
WITH BOTH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
AND THE MOB ON HIS CASE,
IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S TIME
FOR CAPONE TO LIE LOW.
*
BUT CAPONE'S NEXT MOVE
WILL TAKE EVERYONE BY SURPRISE.
*
*
[ GUNFIRE ]
Narrator: AFTER THE SAINT
VALENTINE'S DAY BLOODBATH,
AL CAPONE IS NOW A HUNTED MAN.
WITHIN THE MOB,
THE NEW YORK RISING STAR,
LUCKY LUCIANO,
WANTS CAPONE OUT OF THE WAY.
JUST AS HE FEARED, THE MASSACRE
HAS DRAWN THE ATTENTION
OF NONE OTHER THAN THE PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES HIMSELF.
*
BUT AS ONE OF THE MOST
PUBLIC GANGSTERS OF THE TIME,
WHERE CAN CAPONE HIDE?
*
*
CAPONE'S NEXT MOVE
TAKES EVERYONE BY SURPRISE.
HE FINDS SAFETY IN THE ONE PLACE
NO ONE WOULD EXPECT HIM TO GO.
[ OPERA MUSIC PLAYING ]
*
HE BRIBES POLICE OFFICERS TO GET
HIM SENT TO A CORRUPT JAIL
IN PHILADELPHIA...
[ KEYS RATTLE ]
[ DOOR CLICKS ]
...WHERE HE FINDS CONDITIONS
FAR FROM TYPICAL.
Bergreen: HIS STAY IN THE
PHILADELPHIA PENITENTIARY
WAS MORE LIKE A STAY
IN A HOTEL OR A REST CURE.
PEOPLE WAITED ON HIM
HAND AND FOOT THERE.
EVERYBODY WAS CORRUPTED, AND
HE HAD A VERY EASY TIME THERE.
IT WAS RELAXING.
Narrator: THE PRISON TERM
IS, IN FACT,
PART OF A DEAL BROKERED
WITH LUCIANO AND OTHER MOBSTERS,
AND CAPONE IS LIVING
THE HIGH LIFE
AT THE EXPENSE
OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.
*
BUT BACK IN CHICAGO,
THE FEDS HAVE GOT DIFFERENT
PLANS FOR AL CAPONE.
*
NEWSREEL ACROSS THE NATION
SHOWS ELITE TEAMS
OF PROHIBITION AGENTS
AGGRESSIVELY TARGETING
CAPONE'S EMPIRE OF BOOZE.
THE SQUAD HAS BEEN HANDPICKED
BY THE YOUNG AND HANDSOME
ELIOT NESS.
*
NICKNAMED THE UNTOUCHABLES,
IT'S SOON CLEAR
THAT CAPONE CAN'T BUY THEM OFF.
Bergreen: THE AGENTS
WHO WERE SENT TO CHICAGO
TO GET CAPONE WEREN'T BRIBABLE.
THEY WERE PAID BY
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT,
AND THEY HAD
A DIFFERENT ALLEGIANCE,
A DIFFERENT LOYALTY.
THEY WEREN'T LOCALS,
AND THIS MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
*
Narrator: NESS AND HIS SQUAD
USE WIRE TAPS TO FIND OUT
WHERE THE ILLEGAL BOOZE
IS KEPT...
[ MEN SHOUTING ]
...AND THEN RAID THE WAREHOUSES.
NESS TURNS CAPONE'S LOVE
OF PUBLICITY AGAINST HIM.
[ FLASH BULB POPS ]
HE TIPS OFF NEWSPAPER REPORTERS
WHO SHOW THE WORLD
THAT EVEN AL CAPONE
ISN'T ABOVE THE LAW.
[ SHOUTING, FLASH BULB POPS ]
MEANWHILE,
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT
SCRUTINIZE CAPONE'S
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.
[ CUP CLATTERS ]
BACK IN HIS PHILADELPHIA CELL,
THE MAN WHO CRAVES PUBLICITY
IS GETTING PLENTY...
BUT IT ISN'T THE KIND
HE'S USED TO.
*
AFTER 10 MONTHS BEHIND BARS,
BIG AL GETS SECRETLY
LET OUT OF PRISON BY OFFICIALS
AND HEADS BACK TO CHICAGO.
WHEN HE RETURNS, HE FINDS
THE GOVERNMENT HAVE DRAGGED
HIS REPUTATION
THROUGH THE MUD...
*
AND AL CAPONE IS NO LONGER
THE KING OF CHICAGO.
HE'S NOW PUBLIC ENEMY
NUMBER ONE.
[ BULBS POPPING ]
*
THE OBVIOUS MOVE FOR CAPONE
WILL BE TO LIE LOW,
BUT HE CAN'T RESIST PUBLICITY.
[ REPORTERS CLAMORING ]
SO CAPONE DECIDES TO ORGANIZE
A CHARM OFFENSIVE.
HE'S A PUBLICITY HOUND.
HE LOVES, YOU KNOW,
BEING IN THE SPOTLIGHT.
HE LOVES SEEING HIS PICTURE
IN THE NEWSPAPER.
NO PUBLICITY IS BAD PUBLICITY.
Narrator: CAPONE COUNTERS
THE GOVERNMENT'S CAMPAIGN
AND APPEALS DIRECTLY
TO THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO.
CAPONE DECIDED TO IMPROVE
HIS PUBLIC IMAGE
BY OPENING A SOUP KITCHEN.
MANY OF THE WORKING MEN WHO WERE
HIS PEOPLE WERE OUT OF WORK.
SO HE WANTED TO PLAY
THE ROBIN HOOD FIGURE.
BUT NOT ONLY THAT, HE WANTED
NEWSREEL CAMERAS TO COME
AND SEE HIM FEEDING
THE WORKING PEOPLE.
Narrator:
CAPONE SAYS THE REAL CROOKS
WEREN'T HUSTLERS LIKE HIM,
BUT STOCK MARKET SPECULATORS.
BUT THE STORY
IS ALWAYS AL CAPONE.
Bergreen: CAPONE WAS
A NARCISSIST TO THE EXTENT
THAT HE HAD A DISTORTED
IMPRESSION OF REALITY.
SO HE SAW HIMSELF AS THE CENTER
OF ALMOST ANYTHING
THAT WAS GOING ON,
AND HE FELT THAT HE WAS A FORCE
FOR GOOD IN THE WORLD.
[ BULB POPS ]
Narrator: CAPONE MAY THINK
HE'S A GOOD GUY,
BUT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
COULD HARDLY DISAGREE MORE.
[ CLAMORING ]
[ FLASH BULB POPS ]
[ CLAMORING CONTINUES ]
WORKING DILIGENTLY BEHIND
THE SCENES, FEDERAL AGENTS
HAVE BEEN BUILDING
A STRONG CASE FOR TAX EVASION.
Bergreen: CAPONE
WAS IMMENSELY RICH.
IN TODAY'S MONEY,
HE WAS WORTH BILLIONS,
AND HE DIDN'T PAY HIS TAXES.
Narrator: THE POLICE SMASH OPEN
CAPONE'S PRIVATE SAFE.
Raab: HE LIKED TO KEEP RECORDS
OF WHAT WAS COMING TO HIM
TO MAKE SURE
HE WASN'T BEING CHEATED.
SO FINALLY THEY HAD
THE GOODS ON HIM.
[ BULBS POPPING ]
Man: FACING TRIAL
ON INCOME TAX INVASION,
AL CAPONE FINDS
AN AROUSED GOVERNMENT
READY TO PUT HIM BEHIND BARS.
Narrator: CAPONE'S INDICTMENT
HITS THE HEADLINES,
BUT THE CHARGES
DON'T BOTHER CAPONE.
HIS ACCOUNTANTS
CAN STRIKE A DEAL.
Raab: WHEN HE FOUND OUT
HE WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION
BY FEDERAL AUDITORS,
HE WANTED TO COP A PLEA,
MAKE A PLEA BARGAIN,
ADMIT THAT HE HAD NOT
PAID TAXES FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
HE OFFERED THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT $1 MILLION
TO TAKE CARE OF HIS BACK TAXES,
BUT THEY WOULDN'T TAKE THAT.
[ SHOUTING, EXCITED CHATTER ]
*
Narrator: EVEN WHEN HE'S
BROUGHT TO TRIAL,
CAPONE IS CONFIDENT
THAT HE CAN WALK AWAY.
*
THE KING OF CHICAGO HAS
A SURE-FIRE WAY TO BEAT THE RAP.
Bergreen:
IT SEEMED LIKE HE WAS GOING TO
HAVE ANOTHER BRUSH WITH THE LAW.
HE DIDN'T PAY HIS TAXES.
HA-HA.
WHO WOULD HAVE EXPECTED
THAT HE WOULD?
AND THEN HE WOULD EVENTUALLY
GET OFF SCOT-FREE
AND BRIBE THE JURORS,
IF NECESSARY,
WHICH IS WHAT HE DID.
Narrator: AT THE TRIAL, CAPONE'S
MEN OPEN THE CHECKBOOKS.
THEY PAY OFF MEMBERS
OF THE JURY.
IT'S A CLASSIC MOB TACTIC
THAT HAS WORKED BEFORE.
BUT NOT THIS TIME.
[ INDISTINCT CHATTER ]
AT THE LAST MOMENT,
THE JUDGE SHOWS THAT THE LAW
IS ONE STEP AHEAD.
THE AUTHORITIES REALIZED THAT HE
PROBABLY WOULD TRY TO BRIBE
THE JURORS OR
THREATEN THEM IN SOME WAY
SO THEY WOULDN'T CONVICT HIM.
[ CHATTERING ]
SO THEY BROUGHT IN,
TO EVERYBODY'S SURPRISE,
AT THE LAST MINUTE,
ANOTHER JURY WHO COULDN'T
HAVE BEEN TAMPERED WITH.
*
[ Echoing ] GUILTY.
Narrator:
CAPONE COULDN'T BE OUTFOUGHT,
BUT HE HAD BEEN OUT-THOUGHT.
HE GETS AN 11-YEAR CONVICTION
FOR TAX EVASION.
*
NOBODY GOT 11 YEARS
FOR INCOME TAX VIOLATION.
THAT KIND OF CASE WOULD HAVE
RESULTED IN 18 MONTHS
OR SOMETHING,
BUT THEY GAVE HIM 11 YEARS.
Bergreen: HE WAS STUNNED.
HIS LAWYERS WERE STUNNED.
EVERYBODY WAS STUNNED.
IT DIDN'T SEEM POSSIBLE THAT
ONE COULD BE JAILED FOR SUCH A,
QUOTE, "MINOR" OFFENSE.
OF COURSE, THE GOVERNMENT WANTED
TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF CAPONE.
[ CHATTERING ]
Narrator: AL CAPONE,
THE MAN WHO ONCE
PUBLICLY BEAT A MAYOR,
NOW FINDS HIMSELF PUBLICLY
HUMILIATED BY THE LAW.
[ CHATTERING ]
AND THINGS WILL GO FROM BAD
TO WORSE FOR CAPONE
AS HE DISCOVERS THAT
PRISON LIFE ISN'T SO EASY...
[ GRUNTING ]
WHEN EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR FACE.
*
*
Narrator: ON OCTOBER 24th, 1931,
AL CAPONE, ONE OF THE BEST-KNOWN
MOBSTERS IN THE WORLD,
GOES TO JAIL FOR TAX EVASION.
Raab: THEY DIDN'T GET HIM
FOR ANY OF HIS GUNPLAY,
FOR ANY OF HIS MURDERS,
FOR ANY OF HIS RACKETEERING.
THEY GOT HIM ON
INCOME TAX EVASION,
SOMETHING HE HAD
NEVER ANTICIPATED.
*
Narrator: CAPONE'S DOWNFALL
MAKES THE NEWS ACROSS THE WORLD.
*
IT LOOKS LIKE THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT HAS DEALT
A MORTAL BLOW
TO ORGANIZED CRIME.
BUT IN FACT, CAPONE
HAS PROVIDED GANGSTERS,
LIKE LUCKY LUCIANO,
WITH A SMOKESCREEN.
*
BEYOND THE GLARE OF PUBLICITY,
A NEW, SECRETIVE,
AND HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
ORGANIZATION OF MOBSTERS
IS TAKING SHAPE...
[ MEN LAUGHING ]
...AND THEY'RE HAPPY
THAT CAPONE IS LOCKED AWAY.
Bergreen: OTHER GANGSTERS
REJOICED THAT CAPONE
WAS NOW NO LONGER AT LARGE.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THEY WERE
AFRAID THAT THE SAME THING
COULD HAPPEN TO THEM.
GANGSTERS LEARNED TO AVOID
PUBLICITY FROM CAPONE
BECAUSE THEY SAW
WHERE IT GOT HIM.
THEY REALIZED
IT MADE HIM A TARGET
FOR FEDERAL INVESTIGATIONS
THAT EVENTUALLY
PUT HIM IN JAIL.
Narrator: OUTSIDE,
LUCKY LUCIANO WILL MAKE SURE
THAT THE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY
OF GANGLAND VIOLENCE
WILL NEVER AGAIN
DAMAGE THEIR BUSINESS.
*
*
WHEN LUCIANO MAKES HIS PLAY
FOR CONTROL OF THE NEW YORK MOB,
HE DOES IT NOT BY ORDERING
A PUBLIC MASSACRE,
BUT WITH JUST TWO
STRATEGIC HITS.
FIRST, HE SACRIFICES HIS OWN
GODFATHER, JOE MASSERIA.
AND NEXT, MASSERIA'S ARCHRIVAL,
SALVATORE MARANZANO.
[ GRUNTING ]
*
LUCIANO IS NOW THE MOST
POWERFUL MOBSTER IN NEW YORK.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
SOON HE WILL LEAD
THE COMMISSION,
THE MOB'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
AND USHER IN A NEW ERA
OF COOPERATION AND WEALTH
FOR WHAT WILL BECOME
THE AMERICAN MAFIA.
WHERE CAPONE FAILED IN
HIS VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE,
LUCKY LUCIANO TAKES EVERYTHING
WITH JUST TWO DEATHS.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
[ CELL DOORS CLANKING ]
*
BEHIND BARS, HIS EMPIRE GONE,
CAPONE'S REPUTATION
IS IN TATTERS.
NOW THE GOVERNMENT
DECIDE TO USE CAPONE
FOR SOME PUBLICITY OF THEIR OWN.
THEY MOVE AMERICA'S
MOST HIGH-PROFILE GANGSTER
TO THE NEW ISLAND FORTRESS
OF ALCATRAZ.
Deirdre: PRESIDENT HOOVER
SAID TO THE WARDEN,
"IF YOU WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW
WHAT A HORRIBLE PLACE
ALCATRAZ IS, TRANSFER
AL CAPONE OUT THERE,"
AND THAT IS EXACTLY
WHAT THEY DID.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
HE WAS IN
A 6-FOOT-BY-10-FOOT CELL,
AND THEY PUT HIM ON THE OUTSIDE
WHERE HE COULD LOOK ACROSS
THE BAY AT SAN FRANCISCO.
*
FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO VISIT HIM,
THEY HAD TO GET ON A FERRY BOAT
AND GO ACROSS THE WATER.
Narrator: NO LONGER
THE FEARED MAN HE ONCE WAS,
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE,
CAPONE TRIES TO KEEP
A LOW PROFILE.
*
Bergreen: WHEN AL CAPONE
WAS IN ALCATRAZ,
IT WAS HUMILIATING IN PART
BECAUSE OTHER PRISONERS
WERE NOT AFRAID OF HIM.
HE WAS GIVEN A VERY DEROGATORY
TERM, THE WOP WITH THE MOP,
BECAUSE HE WAS OFTEN
SEEN MOPPING.
*
[ CLICKS ]
Narrator: CAPONE LEARNS
THAT HIS REPUTATION
IS NOW A MAGNET FOR CRIMINALS
WANTING TO MAKE A NAME.
ONE IS JIMMY LUCAS,
A MEMBER OF A GANG CALLED
THE TEXAS COWBOYS.
[ STABBING ]
[ GRUNTING ]
CAPONE'S FALL FROM GRACE
IS COMPLETE.
[ GRUNTING CONTINUES ]
HIS LIFE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
IS BEARING BITTER HARVEST.
*
IN TIME, PRISON DOCTORS
DISCOVER THAT PERHAPS
CAPONE WASN'T ENTIRELY TO BLAME
FOR HIS RECKLESS BEHAVIOR.
Bergreen: AL CAPONE
SUFFERED FROM SYPHILIS.
HE ACQUIRED IT FROM PROSTITUTES
AS A YOUNG MAN IN BROOKLYN,
DIDN'T REALIZE THAT HE HAD IT,
AND IT EXPLAINS A LOT
ABOUT HIS BEHAVIOR
AND HIS TEMPERAMENTAL OUTBURSTS
THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE.
AS HE GOT OLDER, IT ALSO
SHATTERED HIS HEALTH
BECAUSE THERE WAS NO CURE
FOR IT AT THE TIME.
*
Narrator: IN 1939,
CAPONE IS RELEASED FROM PRISON
ON MEDICAL ADVICE.
[ CHATTERING ]
BY NOW, THE SYPHILIS
HAD SPREAD TO HIS BRAIN,
AND AL CAPONE HAS THE MENTAL AGE
OF A 12-YEAR-OLD.
Deirdre: THE FAMILY HAD A BIG
PARTY FOR HIM IN CHICAGO
WHEN HE GOT RELEASED,
AND MY MOTHER SAID
THAT AL WAS THERE,
BUT HE WOULD COME UP TO HER
AND SAY, "WHO ARE YOU?"
AND THEN HE WOULD GO OVER
TO HIS OWN SISTER
AND SAY, "WHO ARE YOU?"
*
Narrator: AL CAPONE WILL
LIVE OUT THE REST OF HIS LIFE
IN SECLUSION
IN HIS MANSION IN FLORIDA,
A GANGSTER WITHOUT A GANG.
*
ON JANUARY THE 18th, 1947,
SHORTLY AFTER CELEBRATING
HIS 48th BIRTHDAY,
AL CAPONE SUFFERS A MASSIVE
STROKE AND SLIPS INTO A COMA.
*
AT ALMOST THE EXACT SAME TIME,
SOME OF THE BIGGEST MOB BOSSES
IN THE U.S.
MEET IN HAVANA, CUBA.
THEY PLAN THE FUTURE OF THE MOB,
A FUTURE WITHOUT AL CAPONE.
*
INSTEAD, IT WILL BE LED
BY LUCKY LUCIANO.
Raab: HE WANTED
THE AMERICAN MAFIA
TO BE A MIRROR
OF AMERICAN CAPITALISM,
TO CASH IN ON ANYTHING
THAT WORKED WITH CAPITALISM,
AND HE WASN'T GOING
TO BE RESTRICTED.
THIS WAS A NEW ERA, AND HE WAS
GOING TO MODERNIZE THE MOB,
AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HE DID.
*
Narrator: A FEW DAYS AFTER
HIS STROKE, CAPONE DIES.
*
THE ERA OF CELEBRITY MOBSTER
IS OVER,
AND A NEW GENERATION
OF GANGSTERS IS BORN.
[ MEN CHATTERING ]
NOW MOBSTERS WILL WORK TOGETHER
TO CREATE A SECRET SOCIETY
THAT DOMINATE CRIME
FOR GENERATIONS.
THEY CALL IT "OUR THING,"
LA COSA NOSTRA.
[ GLASSES CLINK ]
THE WORLD WILL KNOW IT
BY ANOTHER NAME --
THE AMERICA MAFIA.
[ GUNSHOT ]
*
THE FOUNDATIONS
FOR THIS ORGANIZATION
WERE LAID BY AL CAPONE,
BUT HIS CONTRIBUTION
WASN'T THROUGH INSPIRATION.
IT WAS HIS BRUTAL
AND PUBLIC MISTAKES
THAT HAD TAUGHT THE MOB
HOW NOT TO BEHAVE.
HIS CAREER MAY HAVE ENDED
IN DISASTER, BUT TO THIS DAY,
AL CAPONE DEFIANTLY REMAINS
THE MOST FAMOUS NAME
IN MOB HISTORY,
PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE.
*