Mafia's Greatest Hits (2012–…): Season 2, Episode 9 - Bugsy Siegel - full transcript
Bugsy Siegel, the Jewish gangster with charm and a killer's instinct, plays hard and dreams big. He's got a vision to build a gambling mecca in the Nevada desert; but when he stops playing ...
Narrator: BUGSY SIEGEL,
THE PLAYBOY MOBSTER...
YOU DIRTY RAT.
...WITH MOVIE-STAR LOOKS...
[ GUNSHOTS ]
Blass: HE'S KNOWN
AS BABY BLUE EYES.
HE HAD THIS ROUGH EDGE
AROUND HIM,
AND THAT'S WHAT WOMEN
LOVED ABOUT HIM.
Narrator:
BUGSY IS NO MATINEE IDOL.
[ GUNSHOT ]
HE'S A VICIOUS GANGSTER
WITH A PSYCHOPATH'S
LUST FOR MURDER.
Dezenhall: BEN SIEGEL WASN'T
A MAKE-PRETEND TOUGH GUY.
HE WAS AN OUT-AND-OUT KILLER.
Blass: BUGSY WAS THE ULTIMATE
ALPHA MALE.
HE WAS DRIVEN BY POWER,
MONEY, STATUS AND SEX.
Narrator: THIS MOBSTER VISIONARY
WILL TRANSFORM A DUSTY TOWN
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
INTO A GLITTERING SYMBOL
OF THE MAFIA.
HE WANTED TO BECOME THE KING
OF THIS NEW, GLAMOROUS LAND.
Narrator: BUT HE STOPS PLAYING
BY THE MAFIA'S RULES.
Zoeller: THERE WAS
A PECKING ORDER IN THE MAFIA,
AND THE MOB DOES NOT LIKE
TO BE SCREWED OVER.
Narrator: BUGSY STUMBLES
INTO HIS OWN DEADLY NIGHTMARE.
THAT'S AN ABSOLUTE
DEATH SENTENCE.
IT'S TOTALLY UNFORGIVABLE.
Narrator: BUT BUGSY'S LEGEND AS
THE FOUNDER OF LAS VEGAS
LIVES ON FOREVER.
[ GUNSHOT ]
**
[ GUNSHOTS ]
**
[ GUNSHOT ]
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS ]
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
[ GUNSHOT ]
Narrator: JUNE 20th, 1947 --
NOTORIOUS GANGSTER
BUGSY SIEGEL
HAS FLOWN FROM
HIS NEW CASINO IN VEGAS
TO HIS LOVER'S MANSION IN L.A.
**
THAT EVENING, HE MEETS WITH
MOB ASSOCIATE ALLEN SMILEY.
ALLEN SMILEY AND BUGSY SIEGEL
WENT INTO THE LIVING ROOM
AND SAT IN THE SOFA,
AND THEY WERE CHATTING.
Narrator: BUT AS THEY ENJOY
A DRINK, A HIT MAN LURKS.
**
[ GUNSHOTS ]
[ GLASS SHATTERING ]
SMILEY DIVES TO THE FLOOR.
[ GUNSHOTS CONTINUE ]
A BULLET TEARS
THROUGH BUGSY'S HEAD.
[ GUNSHOTS CONTINUES ]
**
[ BULB POPS ]
**
Zoeller:
THE SHOTS HIT BUGSY SIEGEL,
TWO IN THE HEAD
AND TWO IN THE UPPER TORSO.
FIVE OTHERS MISSED, BUT ONE
SHOT ACTUALLY EXPLODED
HIS LEFT EYE OUT OF THE SOCKET.
Narrator:
BUGSY SIEGEL,
THE GANGSTER
RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING
THE GLITZY LAS VEGAS
WE KNOW TODAY,
NOW LIES IN A POOL
OF HIS OWN BLOOD.
[ SLOT MACHINE DINGS ]
WHY DID THE MOB TURN ON THE MAN
WHO WOULD EARN THEM
SO MUCH MONEY?
**
BENJAMIN SIEGEL GROWS UP
IN JEWISH BROOKLYN.
**
DESTINED TO BE A CRIMINAL,
HE HAS A REPUTATION FOR VIOLENCE
AND A BRAIN FOR BUSINESS.
**
BUT IN THE 1920s,
AMBITIONS FOR JEWISH HOODLUMS
ARE SEVERELY LIMITED.
**
Volkman: YOU HAD
VERY STRICT DIVISIONS
BETWEEN THE VARIOUS
ETHNIC GANGS.
JEWS DIDN'T EVEN GO INTO
ITALIAN NEIGHBORHOODS.
ITALIANS DIDN'T EVEN GO INTO
JEWISH NEIGHBORHOODS,
MUCH LESS COOPERATE ON CRIME.
**
Narrator: BUT IN 1929, THE WORLD
OPENS UP FOR YOUNG SIEGEL
WHEN AN UP-AND-COMING
ITALIAN-AMERICAN MASTERMIND,
CHARLES "LUCKY" LUCIANO,
REALIZES THAT SEGREGATION
IS SIMPLY BAD FOR BUSINESS.
Dezenhall:
A TRUE CAPITALIST DOESN'T CARE
ABOUT RACE OR RELIGION,
AND LUCIANO RECOGNIZED
THAT IF YOU KEEP THE RACKETS
JUST TO ITALIANS,
YOU CUT OUT A LOT
OF GREAT EARNERS.
**
[ TIRES SCREECH ]
Narrator:
WITH HIS MULTIETHNIC GANG,
LUCIANO BLAZES A BLOODY TRAIL
TO THE TOP OF THE UNDERWORLD.
[ GUNFIRE ]
LUCKY LUCIANO WAS
THE ULTIMATE MOB BOSS.
NOBODY MESSED WITH HIM.
HE RAN THIS HUGE
PROSTITUTION RING.
HE WAS RUTHLESS.
HE WAS BASICALLY AMERICA'S PIMP.
Narrator:
BUT BEFORE LUCIANO CAN BE
CROWNED NUMBER ONE CRIME BOSS,
HE NEEDS TO REMOVE
THE TWO DANGEROUS OBSTACLES
IN HIS PATH...
AND THE SAVVY BUGSY SIEGEL
IS THE PERFECT MAN FOR THE JOB.
Volkman:
LUCIANO SAW IN SIEGEL
SOMEBODY WHO COULD EFFICIENTLY
CARRY OUT THE DIRTY WORK.
**
WANT TO HIJACK A TRUCK?
YOU SEND SIEGEL.
WANT TO HAVE SOMEBODY
TO BEAT UP,
SERVE A LESSON, WHATEVER?
YOU SEND SIEGEL.
Narrator: SIEGEL'S SKILLS
ARE ABOUT TO BE
PUT TO THEIR GREATEST TEST.
**
Dezenhall: THE TWO BIG PEOPLE
STANDING IN LUCIANO'S WAY
WERE THE BOSSES
SALVATORE MARANZANO
AND JOE MASSERIA.
Narrator: THEY'RE THE DONS
HEADING NEW YORK'S
TWO DOMINANT
ITALIAN-AMERICAN MOB FAMILIES,
AND LUCIANO IS ABOUT TO UNLEASH
HIS JEWISH SECRET WEAPON
TO TAKE THESE MEN OUT.
**
APRIL 15th, 1931 --
LUCIANO BAITS THE TRAP
IN A BROOKLYN RESTAURANT,
ALLOWING BUGSY SIEGEL
TO EXECUTE A BRUTAL HIT
ON JOE "THE BOSS" MASSERIA.
**
**
LUCIANO WAITS JUST 5 MONTHS
BEFORE UNLEASHING BUGSY
AND HIS GOONS ON THE LAST
STANDING MOB BOSS IN HIS WAY,
SALVATORE MARANZANO.
**
[ STABBING ]
**
Volkman: CARRYING THAT OUT
ESTABLISHED BEN SIEGEL,
IN LUCIANO'S EYES,
AS SOMEONE WHO COULD BE
TOTALLY RELIED ON.
**
Narrator: HAVING EXTERMINATED
THE OPPOSITION,
LUCIANO TAKES COMMAND,
RESTRUCTURING AND ORGANIZING
THE ENTIRE EAST COAST
CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD
INTO FIVE SEPARATE FAMILIES.
**
IT'S A CRIMINAL REVOLUTION,
ESTABLISHING THE
MODERN MAFIA IN AMERICA,
UNITING FEUDING GANGS
INTO A CRIMINAL EMPIRE
POWERFUL ENOUGH
TO OUTWIT GOVERNMENTS.
**
AND FOR HIS ROLE IN CREATING
THIS HEINOUS LEVIATHAN,
BEN SIEGEL IS ASSURED
A PRIVILEGED POSITION.
BEN SIEGEL WAS A TREMENDOUS
ASSET TO LUCIANO,
AND LUCIANO WAS
A TREMENDOUS ASSET
TO SOMEBODY LIKE SIEGEL.
[ MAN VOCALIZING ]
Narrator: BUGSY'S RISE TO FAVOR
WITH LUCIANO
ISN'T JUST DUE TO
HIS RUTHLESS OBEDIENCE.
HE ALSO STANDS OUT
AMONGST THE CRIMINAL THUGS.
Volkman: BEN, HE WAS CHARMING,
GREAT AT CONVERSATION.
YOU COULDN'T FIND A MORE FUNNY
GUY TO BE AROUND, JUST GREAT.
Dezenhall: HE WAS ALSO HANDSOME,
HAD A SENSE OF STYLE
AND WAS AMBITIOUS.
Narrator: WITH HIS IRRESISTIBLE
CHARM AND SOCIAL SKILLS,
IT ISN'T LONG BEFORE
BUGSY BECOMES LUCIANO'S
RIGHT-HAND MAN.
[ SHATTERS ]
[ WOMEN SCREAM ]
HE TRAVELS THE COUNTRY,
COORDINATING TAKEOVERS
OF LOCAL MOBS AND RACKETS.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ]
AND IF HIS SILVER TONGUE
CAN'T CLOSE THE DEAL,
BUGSY LETS HIS GUN
DO THE TALKING.
[ GUNSHOT ]
[ MAN GROANS ]
[ TIRES SCREECH ]
GANGSTER LIFE SUITS
BEN SIEGEL TO A "T,"
AND IT'S MAKING HIM RICH.
**
FLAUNTING HIS WEALTH,
HE BUYS AN APARTMENT
IN THE WALDORF-ASTORIA,
NEW YORK'S ARCHITECTURAL
ICON OF GLAMOUR AND LUXURY.
FOR BEN SIEGEL, IT WAS ALL
ABOUT THE DISPLAY.
IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE STYLE.
IT WAS ALL ABOUT
WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT.
**
Volkman: BUGSY WANTED TO
ADVERTISE A VERY SIMPLE FACT --
"I AM A PERSON OF POOR
IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND
"WHO HAS MADE A SUCCESS.
I'VE ACHIEVED
THE AMERICAN DREAM."
**
Narrator: AND FOR
THE APPROVAL-HUNGRY SIEGEL,
WHAT BETTER WAY TO IMPRESS
THAN WITH A STRING
OF HIGH-CLASS WOMEN?
Blass: BUGSY SIEGEL IS KNOWN
AS BABY BLUE EYES.
HE'S ALSO IRRESISTIBLE.
HE OWNED THE ROOM
WHEN HE WALKED IN,
AND THAT'S WHAT WOMEN
LOVED ABOUT HIM.
**
Narrator:
BUT FOR ALL THE GOOD TIMES,
BUGSY WILL NEVER ESCAPE
THE STONE-COLD REALITY
OF MOB LIFE.
**
BUGSY SIEGEL IS TAKING A DRIVE
WITH HIS BOYHOOD PAL,
BO WEINBERG.
**
THEY REMINISCE ABOUT
MAKING THEIR BONES
ON THE MEAN STREETS
OF NEW YORK'S LOWER EAST SIDE.
BO WEINBERG,
HAVING STEPPED OUT OF LINE
AND DISRESPECTED HIS BOSS,
DOESN'T KNOW THAT HIS OLD FRIEND
BUGSY IS ON A MISSION.
**
IF BUGSY IS TO MAINTAIN
THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
OF THE MAFIA'S TOP BRASS,
HE NEEDS TO DEMONSTRATE
HE KNOWS LOYALTY
TO THE BOSS IS MORE IMPORTANT
THAN A LIFELONG FRIENDSHIP.
[ SPEAKING INAUDIBLY ]
BEN WAS A GUY WHO UNDERSTOOD
THIS IS THE WAY
THE ORGANIZATION WORKS.
THE ORGANIZATION SAYS,
"GET RID OF YOUR BEST FRIEND,"
YOU GOT RID OF YOUR BEST FRIEND.
**
[ CROW CAWING ]
[ STABBING CONTINUES ]
BUSINESS IS BUSINESS.
THAT'S THE WAY IT WORKS.
YOU PUT YOUR PERSONAL
FEELINGS ASIDE.
[ CROW CAWING ]
Narrator: BO WEINBERG IS JUST
ONE OF A STRING OF HITS
THAT EARN BUGSY,
EVERY MOBSTER'S FRIEND,
A WHOLE LOT OF ENEMIES.
**
BY 1937, BUGSY IS A MAN
WITH A PRICE ON HIS HEAD...
[ GUNSHOTS ]
...AND WANTED BY RIVAL GANGS.
Volkman: HERE WAS THE PROBLEM.
BUGSY HAD BECOME
A LITTLE TOO NOTORIOUS.
Dezenhall: THERE WAS A LOT
OF HEAT IN NEW YORK.
THERE WERE GANG WARS,
AND HE WAS VULNERABLE.
Narrator: CHIEF AMONGST HIS
ENEMIES IS WAXEY GORDON,
THE EAST COAST BOOTLEGGING KING.
SIEGEL HAS RUBBED OUT
SIX OF HIS MEN,
AND NOW, WAXEY
IS GUNNING FOR REVENGE.
**
BUT GETTING TO BUGSY
WON'T BE EASY.
[ SPORTS BROADCAST PLAYS
ON RADIO ]
AND HE'S HITTING HIM
WITH A LEFT,
HE'S HITTING HIM
WITH A RIGHT...
BUGSY'S OFFICES IN MANHATTAN
ARE HEAVILY PROTECTED...
SAVE ONE FATAL WEAK SPOT.
**
THE ROOF IS NOT GUARDED.
**
AS BUGSY LISTENS
TO A PRIZE FIGHT...
**
A HIT MAN CLIMBS ONTO
THE ROOF...
[ RADIO CONTINUES
INDISTINCTLY ]
...AND TOSSES A BOMB
DOWN THE CHIMNEY STACK.
[ RADIO CONTINUES
INDISTINCTLY ]
[ EXPLOSION ]
[ CLATTERING ]
[ SIREN WAILING ]
MIRACULOUSLY, BUGSY SURVIVES.
**
OUT FOR REVENGE,
BUGSY LEAVES HOSPITAL
AGAINST DOCTORS' ORDERS.
Volkman: BUGSY LOST HIS TEMPER
AND SNUCK OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.
HE GOT SO ANGRY THAT SOMEBODY
TRIED TO BLOW HIM UP.
[ MEN CHATTERING ]
Narrator: AND IT DOESN'T TAKE
LONG FOR HIM
TO HUNT THE BOMBER DOWN.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
**
Volkman:
HE SHOOTS THE GUY IN FRONT OF
TWO WITNESSES IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.
EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD KNEW
THAT BEN SIEGEL HAD DONE IT.
Narrator: BUGSY'S GOT
HIS SWEET REVENGE,
BUT THE VIOLENCE IS THREATENING
TO GET OUT OF CONTROL.
**
LUCIANO KNOWS HIS TOP MAN
MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY NEXT TIME.
[ SIRENS WAILING ]
Dezenhall:
NEW YORK WAS GETTING TOO HOT,
AND THE BEST THING TO DO
WAS GET OUT OF TOWN.
[ CLICKS ]
Narrator: LUCIANO SENDS
BUGSY TO CALIFORNIA,
PUTTING 3,000 MILES BETWEEN HIM
AND THE VENGEANCE OF RIVAL
EAST COAST MOBSTERS.
**
BUT LUCIANO HASN'T
SENT BUGSY OUT WEST
JUST TO WORK ON HIS SUNTAN.
THE TOP MOBSTER HAS A BIGGER
PLAN FOR HIS PROTEGE.
Volkman: LUCIANO AND THE
NEW YORK MAFIA HAVE THE IDEA,
"LET'S EXPAND OPERATIONS
IN CALIFORNIA."
**
Narrator: BEN SIEGEL
IS ABOUT TO MAKE
A BIG IMPRESSION IN HOLLYWOOD,
BUT IT WON'T TAKE LONG FOR
HIS PAST TO CATCH UP WITH HIM.
[ SIRENS WAILING ]
Narrator: MOBSTER BUGSY SIEGEL'S
REIGN OF TERROR
ON THE EAST COAST
HAS GOTTEN OUT OF HAND.
[ EXPLOSION, CLATTERING ]
HIS BOSS, LUCKY LUCIANO,
HAS DISPATCHED HIM
ACROSS THE COUNTRY
FROM NEW YORK TO CALIFORNIA.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
HIS NEW MISSION -- TO MUSCLE IN
ON THE WEST COAST RACKETS.
**
BUGSY'S IMMEDIATE TARGET
IS JACK DRAGNA,
THE AL CAPONE OF LOS ANGELES.
HE DIDN'T CARE THAT
HE WAS STEPPING
ON TOES OF JACK DRAGNA.
HE JUST DID WHAT
HE WANTED TO DO.
Narrator: BUGSY'S MURDEROUS
REPUTATION HAS FOLLOWED HIM,
AND A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED THREAT
IS ENOUGH TO MAKE DRAGNA
HAND OVER CONTROL OF HIS
GAMBLING OPERATION.
**
[ ANNOUNCER SPEAKING
INDISTINCTLY ]
BUGSY'S TAKEOVER IS SOON
GENERATING ENORMOUS PROFITS
FOR LUCIANO AND THE MOB,
TOTALING BY 1942
SOME $8 MILLION A YEAR,
NEARLY $120 MILLION
IN TODAY'S MONEY.
Announcer:
...WILL WIN BY A LENGTH!
**
Narrator: BEFORE LONG,
BUGSY SIEGEL IS CALIFORNIA'S
MOST POWERFUL GANGSTER,
AND RUMORS SURROUNDING
THIS NOTORIOUS BAD BOY
CAPTIVATE HOLLYWOOD'S A-LIST.
IMAGINE BUGSY WALKING INTO
THESE HOLLYWOOD PARTIES,
THE ULTIMATE VIP.
EVERYBODY WANTED TO TALK TO HIM
BECAUSE HE WAS SO MYSTERIOUS,
AND HE JUST HAD
THIS CHARISMA ABOUT HIM.
Zoeller:
HOLLYWOOD ACTUALLY THOUGHT
THEY SAW A STAR IN BUGSY SIEGEL.
BUGSY SIEGEL WAS A HIT MAN,
A MAFIA GUY.
THEY LOVED IT.
THEY LOVED HIM.
**
Narrator: IF HOLLYWOOD
IS ENTHRALLED BY BUGSY,
IT SEEMS THE TINSELTOWN LURE HAS
ALSO RUBBED OFF ON THE MOBSTER.
**
BUGSY SIEGEL ACTUALLY
DID A SCREEN TEST AT ONE TIME.
Narrator:
WHILE BUGSY'S ACTING FAILS TO
IMPRESS STUDIO PRODUCERS,
THE RUGGED GANGSTER
WITH BABY-BLUE EYES IS A HIT...
[ CORK POPS ]
...WITH HOLLYWOOD'S
LEADING LADIES.
Blass:
HE WAS THAT HOLLYWOOD GANGSTER,
AND WOMEN LOVED HIM FOR THAT.
-[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: BUGSY SIEGEL'S
SEXUAL APPETITE IS RAVENOUS.
[ LAUGHS ]
Blass: BUGSY WAS THE ULTIMATE
ALPHA MALE.
HE WAS DRIVEN BY POWER,
MONEY, STATUS...
AND SEX.
**
Narrator: THE GLAMOROUS LIFE
OF A GANGSTER'S GIRLFRIEND,
KNOWN AS A MOLL,
ATTRACTS MANY WOMEN,
AND THE QUEEN OF THEM ALL,
GREEN-EYED VIRGINIA HILL,
IS ABOUT TO STOP BUGSY
IN HIS TRACKS.
Volkman:
A MOLL IS A PARTY GIRL.
VIRGINIA HILL IS
THE ULTIMATE MOLL.
NOT ONLY WAS SHE A MOLL,
SHE WAS A TRUSTED MOLL.
SHE WAS A MOLL WHO THEY COULD
GIVE MONEY TO TO BE HIDDEN,
TO BE TRANSFERRED,
AND THEY KNEW, TO THE PENNY,
SHE WOULD DO IT.
SHE LOVED THAT WORLD,
THE EXCITEMENT, THE DANGER.
SHE BELIEVED "LIFE IS SHORT.
ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN."
**
Blass: WHEN BUGSY AND
VIRGINIA HILL MET, SPARKS FLEW.
BUGSY WAS SO INTRIGUED
BY VIRGINIA.
HERE IS SOMEBODY WHO'S
CONFIDENT AND RICH
AND VERY DIFFERENT
THAN THE HOLLYWOOD GIRLS
HE WAS USED TO
GETTING HIS WAY WITH.
**
Narrator: VIRGINIA'S
BRASH SEXUAL CONFIDENCE
IS A BIG HIT WITH BUGSY,
AND THE PAIR SOON START
A TEMPESTUOUS LOVE AFFAIR.
**
Dezenhall: BEN SIEGEL BECAME
OBSESSED WITH HER,
AND THE OBSESSION WAS FUELED BY
THE FACT THAT SHE MADE NO BONES
ABOUT SPENDING TIME
WITH OTHER PEOPLE,
WHICH WAS A PERVERSE TURN-ON.
**
Narrator: LOVE AND CRIME
FUELED BUGSY'S HIGH LIFE,
BUT HIS NOTORIETY IS ABOUT
TO BRING UNWANTED ATTENTION.
**
1935 --
NEW YORK SPECIAL PROSECUTOR
THOMAS DEWEY
LAUNCHES A CRUSADE
AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME.
[ TYPING ]
**
AND HIS FIRST HIGH-PROFILE HIT
IS BUGSY'S GANGLAND PATRON,
LUCKY LUCIANO, WHO GOES DOWN
ON A 30-TO-50-YEAR
PRISON SENTENCE
FOR PROSTITUTION.
**
DEWEY IS DETERMINED
THAT THERE WILL BE MORE.
[ TYPING ]
Dezenhall:
THEN THE BIG QUESTION WAS,
AFTER LUCIANO, WHO'S NEXT?
**
WELL, ONE BIG POSSIBILITY
WAS A FLASHY PERSONALITY
LIKE BUGSY SIEGEL.
**
Narrator: AS DEWEY TURNS UP
THE HEAT, PEOPLE START TO SING.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
[ SNAPS FINGERS ]
PEOPLE LIKE NOTORIOUS TOUGH GUY
AND MOB INSIDER
GREENIE GREENBERG.
[ SPEAKING INAUDIBLY ]
THE MAFIA IMMEDIATELY DECIDES
GREENIE MUST BE SILENCED.
**
AND BUGSY INSISTS ON
OVERSEEING THE DIRTY WORK.
**
GREENIE'S MOUTH
IS SHUT FOR GOOD...
**
[ LAUGHS ]
...BUT HE'S NOT THE ONLY CANARY.
IT ISN'T LONG BEFORE
SOMEONE ELSE SINGS,
AND BASED ON
AN INFORMANT'S TESTIMONY,
DEWEY BUSTS BUGSY WITH
A HIGH-PROFILE MURDER RAP.
[ HANDCUFFS CLICKING ]
Volkman:
NOW BEN'S IN BIG TROUBLE.
CHICAGO GOT NERVOUS.
A LOT OF PEOPLE IN NEW YORK
GOT NERVOUS.
THAT KIND OF PUBLICITY IS NOT
WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR.
**
Narrator: BUT LUCIANO'S MAFIA
IS NOW SO POWERFUL
IT CAN OUTWIT U.S. JUSTICE.
[ SPEAKING INAUDIBLY ]
LUCIANO'S INFLUENCE EXTENDS
RIGHT INTO THE PRISON SYSTEM,
AND NOW HE'S GOING TO USE IT TO
SAVE THE MAFIA'S PRIZED ASSET...
[ CLICKING ]
...BUGSY SIEGEL.
HE'S PUT IN JAIL,
AND HE DECIDES
HE WANTS TO HAVE
A COMFORTABLE EXISTENCE.
HE GETS A SETUP WHERE
HE HAS CATERED MEALS,
AND HE'S ALLOWED TO HAVE
WOMEN VISIT HIM IN HIS CELL.
[ ROMANTIC MUSIC PLAYING ]
Narrator: BUGSY'S DEFENSE
IS MOUNTED
BY THE BEST LAWYER IN TOWN...
[ GIGGLES ]
...AND WHEN THE PROSECUTION'S
STAR WITNESS
MYSTERIOUSLY FALLS
FROM A HOTEL WINDOW,
HE HAS NO PROBLEM IN GETTING
BUGSY SIEGEL ACQUITTED.
**
BUGSY MIGHT HAVE
ESCAPED JUSTICE,
BUT HE CAN'T SILENCE
HOLLYWOOD GOSSIP.
**
Dezenhall:
THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
CARRYING THE WHIFF
OF GANGLAND
AND BEING PINNED FOR
A VERY SPECIFIC MURDER.
Narrator: THE LAST THING THE
SMOOTH-TALKING LADIES' MAN WANTS
IS FOR THE WORLD TO BE
REMINDED OF HIS TRUE NATURE.
SEEING HEADLINES THAT SAID
"BUGSY" DROVE HIM NUTS.
BEN SIEGEL'S NICKNAME IN YIDDISH
WAS [SPEAKS YIDDISH],
WHICH MEANS "A WILD ANIMAL,"
AND THE AMERICAN
TRANSLATION OF THAT WAS
"CRAZY AS A BEDBUG."
THAT'S WHERE THE NICKNAME
"BUGSY" CAME FROM.
**
HE HATED IT.
HE WANTED TO BE CALLED
BEN OR MR. SIEGEL.
**
Narrator: HOLLYWOOD
TURNS ITS BACK ON BUGSY,
LEAVING HIS PRIDE IN TATTERS.
**
Blass: HE'S USED TO BEING
THE LIFE OF THE PARTY,
THE ONE WHO GOT
ALL THE LADIES,
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN,
THAT STOPPED,
AND HE COULDN'T HANDLE IT.
**
Narrator:
BUGSY'S GOING TO SHOW THE WORLD
THAT THE JEWISH GANGSTER
RAISED IN NEW YORK'S
EAST SIDE GHETTO
IS NOT TO BE SNEERED AT.
Dezenhall:
THE LEVEL OF INSECURITY
AT THE CORE OF BEN SIEGEL'S
SELF-ESTEEM
IS A REAL KEY PART
TO UNDERSTANDING HIM.
BECAUSE NO MATTER
HOW SUCCESSFUL THEY GOT,
SOMEBODY LIKE BEN SIEGEL
WAS VERY, VERY AWARE
THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE
LOOKING DOWN THEIR NOSE AT HIM.
Narrator: WITH HIS LOVER,
VIRGINIA, IN TOW,
BUGSY TAKES THE BIGGEST
GAMBLE OF HIS LIFE
AND HEADS
TO A ONE-HORSE DESERT TOWN
THAT WILL MAKE HIM A LEGEND
BUT ULTIMATELY LEAD
TO HIS DOWNFALL --
LAS VEGAS.
**
Narrator: BUGSY SIEGEL
HAS BEATEN THE RAP
FOR THE MURDER
OF GREENIE GREENBERG.
[ DOOR SLAMS ]
ONCE THE TOAST OF HOLLYWOOD,
TINSELTOWN HAS TURNED ON HIM,
BUT BUGSY'S GOT A PLAN.
**
300 MILES EAST OF L.A.,
BUGSY SEES A BIG FUTURE
FOR A SMALL TOWN.
LAS VEGAS MAY LACK
HOLLYWOOD GLITZ,
BUT IT HAS ONE THING THAT
L.A. DOESN'T --
LEGAL GAMBLING.
IT WAS JUST A DESERT TOWN,
PRETTY EMPTY.
IT WAS NOT THE GLAMOROUS WORLD
THAT HE'S LEAVING BEHIND,
BUT HE HAD A VISION FOR IT,
AND HE WAS OUT TO MAKE IT
THE NEXT DESTINATION
THAT HE COULD BE THE KING OF.
Narrator: HIS PLAN
IS AUDACIOUS AND BRILLIANT.
IN THE HANDS OF THE MOB,
LAS VEGAS COULD BECOME
A GOLD MINE.
HE WANTED TO BRING THE HOLLYWOOD
GLAM TO THE DESERT.
**
Narrator: BUGSY PLANS TO BUILD
A LUXURY RESORT,
INCLUDING A 105-ROOM HOTEL,
SWIMMING POOL AND LAVISH
ENTERTAINMENT VENUE.
Volkman: IT'S ON THE MAIN
HIGHWAY FROM CALIFORNIA,
AND GUESS WHAT?
AMERICANS, THEY LOVE TO GAMBLE.
GOD HELP US,
THEY LOVE TO GAMBLE.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
Narrator: AND IF BUGSY'S WILD
GAMBLE PAYS OFF,
EVERY HIGH-ROLLER
AND MOVIE STAR IN TINSELTOWN
WILL BE LINING UP AT HIS DOOR
TO SPEND THEIR MONEY.
AND BUGSY'S GOING TO NAME
HIS GLITZY RESORT
THE FLAMINGO, IN HONOR
OF HIS LOVER, VIRGINIA HILL.
BUGSY SIEGEL CALLED HER
A FLAMINGO
BECAUSE OF HER LONG LEGS,
SO SHE WAS HIS FLAMINGO.
**
Narrator:
IF BUGSY'S GOING TO BUILD
A GAMBLING MECCA FOR THE MOB,
HE'S GOING TO NEED INVESTORS.
**
IN ORDER FOR BEN SIEGEL TO MAKE
THE FLAMINGO WHAT HE WANTED,
HE NEEDED CAPITAL,
AND HE NEEDED A LOT OF IT.
AT FIRST, THE FIGURE
WAS $1 MILLION.
**
Narrator:
BEN SIEGEL'S IN LUCK.
LUCIANO'S TREASURER,
MEYER LANSKY,
IS BUGSY'S CHILDHOOD BUDDY.
AND HE APPROVES BUGSY'S LOAN.
**
LUCIANO WAS ALL BUSINESS,
AND HE AND LANSKY
ARE ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED
THEY HAVE A WINNER.
[ INSECTS CHIRPING ]
Narrator: DECEMBER 1945 --
CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLAMINGO
GETS OFF TO A FLYING START.
**
BUT IT SOON BECOMES OBVIOUS
THAT WHILE BUGSY EXCELS
IN KILLING AND LOVING,
RUNNING A MASSIVE
BUILDING PROJECT
IS SOMETHING ELSE.
**
HE NOW HAD TO BE
A PROPERTY DEVELOPER,
AND THIS COMES WITH
A WHOLE DIFFERENT SKILL SET
THAT HE SIMPLY DID NOT HAVE.
**
Narrator:
WEEKS AFTER BREAKING GROUND,
IT'S CLEAR BUGSY SIEGEL'S DESIGN
PLANS ARE GOING TO COST BIG.
[ FLAMINGOS SQUAWKING ]
Volkman:
HE HAD THESE CRAZY IDEAS.
"I WANT FLAMINGOS.
GET A WHOLE BUNCH OF FLAMINGOS.
PUT THE FLAMINGOS IN THERE."
SO AT GREAT EXPENSE,
THEY HAD TO GO TO FLORIDA,
BUY THESE FLAMINGOS,
PUT THEM IN THE MOAT,
AND, OF COURSE, WITHIN
THREE DAYS, THEY ALL DIED.
Narrator: AS THE FINANCIAL
PRESSURES MOUNT,
THE CONSTRUCTION CREW SOON LEARN
HOW BUGSY EARNED HIS REPUTATION.
[ SHOUTS INAUDIBLY ]
BEN WOULD ERUPT IN
ONE OF THESE RAGES,
AND HE WOULD START, AS HE OFTEN
DID, START TO SCREAM AND YELL,
"I'LL KILL YOU. I'LL KILL YOU.
I'LL KILL YOU."
Narrator: BUGSY GIVES THE MADLY
EXTRAVAGANT VIRGINIA
A FREE REIGN
ON FURNISHINGS,
AND THINGS GO
FROM BAD TO WORSE.
**
IT ISN'T LONG BEFORE
BUGSY IS FORCED
TO GO BACK TO HIS
UNDERWORLD INVESTORS.
Dezenhall:
WHEN YOU'RE ASKING SOMEBODY
FOR MULTIPLE MILLIONS
IN THE 1940s,
THAT WAS REAL SERIOUS MONEY.
Narrator: IN THE MOB,
EYEBROWS WERE RAISED,
BUT LANSKY COMES THROUGH
FOR HIS OLD PAL BUGSY.
THINGS IMPROVE,
BUT NOT FOR LONG.
HE WAS IN OVER HIS HEAD.
HE HAD NO IDEA HOW TO
BUILD UP A WHOLE CASINO,
SO HE BORROWED MORE
AND MORE MONEY,
AND HE GOT MORE
AND MORE OVER HIS HEAD.
**
Narrator: WITHIN MONTHS,
THE PROJECTED COSTS
FOR THE FLAMINGO
JUMP FROM THE ORIGINAL
$1.5 MILLION
TO A JAW-DROPPING $4 MILLION.
[ LAUGHING ]
DEVELOPING LAS VEGAS
IS STARTING TO BURN
A SERIOUS HOLE
IN THE MOB'S POCKET,
AND BUGSY IS STARTING
TO RUFFLE FEATHERS.
AT THE SAME TIME
HE WAS OUT OF HIS DEPTH,
HE WAS ALSO TALKING TO HIS
INVESTORS VERY DISRESPECTFULLY.
HE WAS TELLING THEM, "YOU KNOW
WHAT? MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
YOU GAVE ME THE MONEY.
LET ME DO MY JOB. LET ME DO IT."
[ SPEAKING INAUDIBLY ]
Narrator: 1946 --
SIX MONTHS INTO
THE FLAMINGO'S CONSTRUCTION,
BUGSY'S INVESTOR, LUCKY LUCIANO,
IS RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE.
Zoeller: THEY THOUGHT
THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST
SOMEWHERE AROUND $1 MILLION,
AND HE WAS ALREADY
AT $6 MILLION FOR THIS PROJECT.
Narrator: BUGSY KNOWS THAT
LUCIANO AND HIS ASSOCIATES
ARE STARTING TO THINK
HE'S A BAD BET.
WITH HIS DREAM SLIPPING AWAY,
BUGSY MAKES A DESPERATE GAMBLE.
[ SPEAKING INAUDIBLY ]
HE ASSURES LUCIANO THE FLAMINGO
WILL BE READY TO LAUNCH
JUST AFTER CHRISTMAS,
GUARANTEEING A GRAND GALA
OPENING NIGHT.
[ SPEAKING INAUDIBLY ]
**
LIVING ON BORROWED TIME,
BUGSY RACES
TO FINISH HIS CASINO.
**
DECEMBER 26th, 1946 --
THE FLAMINGO IS FINALLY
READY TO OPEN ITS DOORS,
BUT THE DICE ARE LOADED
AGAINST BUGSY,
AS FREAK RAINS
BEAT DOWN ON LAS VEGAS.
**
ONE OF THE WORST STORMS
IN 150 YEARS BLOWS UP.
PLANES ARE GROUNDED.
ALL THE HOLLYWOOD STARS
CAN'T COME.
Dezenhall: IT'S RAINING.
THE ACTS AREN'T THERE.
NOBODY SHOWS UP.
IT IS AN ABSOLUTE DEBACLE
AND, NOW,
THE BOYS BACK EAST
ARE VERY UPSET.
THE DEAL IS NOT PAYING OFF.
**
Narrator: AND THERE'S MORE
DISTURBING NEWS.
ON TOP OF THE
DISASTROUS OPENING,
LANSKY GOES OVER THE BOOKS
AND DISCOVERS PART
OF THE CONSTRUCTION BUDGET
HAS BEEN GOING STRAIGHT
INTO BUGSY'S POCKET.
THE MOB DOES NOT LIKE
TO BE SCREWED OVER.
Narrator: FAT CAT BUGSY SIEGEL
IS RUNNING OUT OF LIVES,
AND HE'S ABOUT TO BE BETRAYED
BY THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE.
[ SOBBING ]
Narrator: BUGSY SIEGEL'S PLAN
TO TURN LAS VEGAS
INTO A GAMBLING MECCA
IS IN JEOPARDY.
**
HE'S NOW $6 MILLION IN DEBT
TO THE MOB BOSSES
WHO'VE BEEN
BANKROLLING THE PROJECT.
**
BUGSY WAS IN THE MOB,
AND WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MOB,
THE MOB OWNS YOU.
IT'S NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
**
Narrator: THAT ALONE IS ENOUGH
TO GET MEN KILLED,
BUT SIEGEL HAS AN EVEN
DARKER STAIN TO HIS NAME.
Volkman:
THE MOB BECAME CONVINCED
THAT SOMEBODY WAS STEALING,
AND THAT SOMEBODY
HAD TO BE BEN SIEGEL.
**
VIRGINIA HILL WAS MAKING
FREQUENT TRIPS
TO ZURICH, SWITZERLAND,
ALTHOUGH SHE WAS NOT KNOWN
TO BE FOND OF SKIING.
AND, FROM THAT,
THEY EXTRAPOLATED
BEN WAS SKIMMING,
SHE WAS HIDING THE MONEY
IN A SWISS BANK ACCOUNT.
**
Narrator: BUGSY'S CELEBRITY
AND CONNECTIONS
HAVE GONE TO HIS HEAD.
NOW A LAW UNTO HIMSELF,
THE RENEGADE GANGSTER
HAS BLATANTLY BRUSHED ASIDE
A MAFIA CARDINAL RULE.
Dezenhall: BEN SIEGEL CAME TO
THINK OF HIMSELF
AS A BREAKOUT CHARACTER.
AND THAT'S A REAL PROBLEM,
BECAUSE, IN THAT WORLD,
THERE ARE NO
BREAKOUT CHARACTERS.
YOU ARE STILL A PART
OF AN ORGANISM,
AND IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU.
IT'S ABOUT THEM.
**
Narrator: UNKNOWN TO BUGSY,
LUCIANO AND LANSKY
MAKE HIS GIRLFRIEND, VIRGINIA,
AN OFFER SHE CAN'T REFUSE.
**
Volkman: THEY TOOK HER
ASIDE ONE DAY
AND PRESENTED HER
WITH A STARK CHOICE.
**
"EITHER TELL US WHAT'S REALLY
GOING ON THERE...
**
...OR YOU GET ACID
THROWN IN YOUR FACE."
**
AHH!
AND AT THAT POINT,
SHE FELT SHE HAD NO CHOICE
BUT TO BETRAY
THE LOVE OF HER LIFE,
BEN SIEGEL.
**
[ SOBBING ]
Narrator:
VIRGINIA SPILLS THE BEANS.
BUGSY IS A BRAZEN THIEF
AND A TRAITOR,
AND A MAJOR LIABILITY
FOR LUCIANO'S
CAREFULLY STRUCTURED
CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION.
**
BUGSY SIEGEL WAS
DISRESPECTING THE MOB
BECAUSE HE THOUGHT
THAT HE WAS ABOVE ALL THAT.
HE DEFINITELY FORGOT THAT
THERE WAS A CODE OF CONDUCT
AND A PECKING ORDER
IN THE MAFIA,
AND BUGSY THOUGHT THAT
HE WAS THE TOP ON BOTH.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ]
Narrator: YET BUGSY'S
STANDING IN THE MAFIA
AS THE MAN WHO HELPED
LUCIANO CREATE IT
MEANS NOT EVEN VIRGINIA'S
CONFESSION GUARANTEES HIS DEATH.
AT THE 11th HOUR,
BUGSY'S CHILDHOOD FRIEND,
MEYER LANSKY,
INTERVENES ON HIS BEHALF,
PERSUADING LUCIANO
TO GIVE BUGSY ONE LAST CHANCE.
**
[ WOLF WHISTLE ]
[ DANCE MUSIC PLAYING ]
Narrator: BY MAY OF 1947,
THE FLAMINGO FINALLY CLEARS
A $300,000 PROFIT.
BUGSY'S GLAMOROUS VISION
OF A GAMBLING PARADISE
FINALLY SEEMS TO BE PAYING OFF.
BUT BUGSY IS WRONG TO ASSUME
HE'S IN THE CLEAR.
Dezenhall: THE FLAMINGO BEGAN
TURNING A PROFIT,
BUT, BY THAT POINT, A LOT
OF THE DAMAGE HAD BEEN DONE.
[ FILE SCRAPING ]
**
THE EASTERN RACKETEERS
HAD BEN SIEGEL FATIGUE.
[ FILING CONTINUES ]
ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH.
MR. SIEGEL, YOU HAVE
BEAUTIFUL HANDS.
**
Narrator:
AN EXASPERATED LUCKY LUCIANO
REACHES OUT TO BUGSY.
[ DIALS ]
**
[ PHONE RINGS ]
SO LUCKY LUCIANO
CALLS UP BUGSY AND SAYS,
"HEY, IT'S TIME TO PAY UP.
WE LOANED YOU THIS MONEY.
WE'RE GOING TO
NEED IT BACK NOW."
Narrator:
MOST MEN WOULD QUAKE,
BUT BUGSY'S REACTION
TO THE MAFIA'S FEARED
AND RESPECTED BOSS
IS EXTRAORDINARY.
Blass: BUGSY HAD THE AUDACITY
TO SAY TO HIM,
"CALM DOWN. GO TO HELL.
I'LL PAY YOU
WHEN I FEEL LIKE IT"...
-AH, GO TO HELL.
[ RECEIVER SLAMS ]
...WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY SUICIDAL
IN THE MOB WORLD.
YOU KNOW, THE MOB OWNS YOU.
YOU DO NOT SAY THIS
TO YOUR MOB BOSS.
**
Narrator: BUGSY SIEGEL HAS JUST
SIGNED HIS OWN DEATH WARRANT.
**
[ SPEAKING INAUDIBLY ]
Volkman:
IT'S TOTALLY UNFORGIVABLE.
HE MIGHT AS WELL PUT
A GUN TO HIS HEAD.
THAT'S AN ABSOLUTE
DEATH SENTENCE.
**
**
Narrator: BUGSY SIEGEL'S
GRANDIOSE DREAM
OF A LUXURY CASINO
RISING FROM THE NEVADA DESERT
HAS GONE TO HIS HEAD.
HE'S ESCAPED THE WRATH
OF HIS BOSSES FOR THE LAST TIME
AND, NOW, HE'S CROSSED THE LINE.
**
ACTING LIKE A CRIME CZAR
IN HIS OWN RIGHT,
BUGSY, WITH THE HELP
OF HIS LOVER VIRGINIA,
IS SKIMMING OFF THE CASH
THE MAFIA HAS LOANED HIM.
**
Volkman: THE MOB HAS
A VERY STRANGE ETHOS.
THEY'LL STEAL THE PENNIES
OFF A DEAD MAN'S EYES,
BUT GOD HELP YOU
IF YOU STEAL FROM THEM.
**
Narrator: AND NOW, BUGSY'S DONE
THE UNIMAGINABLE,
DIRECTLY DISRESPECTING HIS BOSS,
LUCKY LUCIANO,
THE MOST SENIOR
AND DREADED FIGURE
IN THE CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD.
Volkman: BEN HAD VIOLATED
THE A-NUMBER-ONE CARDINAL RULE.
IT'S DEATH.
**
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
**
Narrator: BUGSY, KNOWING THAT
TROUBLE IS COMING FOR HIM,
HIRES MORE MUSCLE,
AND TURNS HIS PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
AT THE FLAMINGO
INTO A FORTRESS.
**
Volkman: SIEGEL HAD A SPECIAL
SUITE BUILT FOR HIMSELF,
WALLS THICK ENOUGH
TO WITHSTAND A HOWITZER SHELL,
AND A SAFE IN THE FLOOR,
BULLETPROOF WINDOWS
AND A TRAPDOOR
IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CLOSET,
WITH A SET OF STAIRS
LEADING TO A BACK ENTRANCE.
**
Narrator: SIEGEL'S WEAKNESS
IS NOW VIRGINIA.
DESPITE ALL THE FORTIFICATIONS
AT THE FLAMINGO,
VIRGINIA WILL BE THE ONE
WHO LEADS HIM TO HIS DEATH.
BEN IS SO FAR GONE, HE'S SO FAR
OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY,
HE DOESN'T GET IT,
AND IT IS FOR THAT REASON
THAT HE TOOK NO PRECAUTIONS.
BUGSY WAS BUGSY,
AND HE RAN THE SHOW
AND DIDN'T CARE
ABOUT ANYBODY ELSE.
**
Narrator: JUNE 20th, 1947 --
BUGSY SIEGEL HAS ESCAPED
THE PRESSURES OF THE FLAMINGO,
FLYING TO L.A.
TO SEE HIS LOVER.
BUT VIRGINIA HILL HAS
MYSTERIOUSLY LEFT FOR PARIS.
Volkman: SHE DIDN'T WARN BEN.
SHE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING TO BEN.
AND SHE LET
WHAT HAPPENED HAPPEN.
**
Narrator:
BUGSY SIEGEL HAS THE KEYS
TO VIRGINIA'S 16-BEDROOM MANSION
IN BEVERLY HILLS.
**
AND IT'S THERE HE MEETS
MOB ASSOCIATE ALLEN SMILEY.
**
AS THE TWO MEN ENJOY A DRINK,
THE EXECUTIONER IS
PREPARING HIS HIT.
**
Zoeller:
ALLEN SMILEY AND BUGSY SIEGEL
WENT INTO THE LIVING ROOM
AND SAT IN THE SOFA
AND THEY WERE CHATTING.
BUGSY SIEGEL WAS READING
THE EARLY EDITION
OF THE "L.A. TIMES."
[ CLICKS ]
**
Narrator:
THE HIT MAN MAKES HIS MOVE.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
[ SHATTERING ]
[ GUNSHOTS CONTINUE ]
**
[ GLASS SHATTERS ]
[ BULB POPS ]
**
Zoeller:
THE SHOTS HIT BUGSY SIEGEL --
TWO IN THE HEAD
AND TWO IN THE UPPER TORSO.
FIVE OTHERS MISSED, BUT ONE
SHOT ACTUALLY EXPLODED
HIS LEFT EYE OUT OF THE SOCKET.
**
Narrator: BEN "BUGSY" SIEGEL'S
LUCK HAS FINALLY RUN OUT.
**
BUGSY'S CORPSE IS NOT
EVEN COLD WHEN,
IN VEGAS, THREE OF LUCIANO'S MEN
STORM INTO THE FLAMINGO
TO ANNOUNCE
THEY ARE TAKING OVER.
AT THE TIME THESE THREE MEN
CAME INTO THE FLAMINGO HOTEL,
I DON'T EVEN THINK
THE POLICE HAD IDENTIFIED
BENJAMIN SIEGEL AS THE VICTIM
OF THIS MURDER.
**
Narrator: WITH HIS EXECUTION,
BUGSY'S DISRESPECTING OF
LUCIANO HAS BEEN DEALT WITH...
...AND THE MOB'S
$6 MILLION STAKE
IN THE FLAMINGO CASINO
SAFEGUARDED.
BUGSY SIEGEL ACTED
LIKE HE WAS THE BOSS,
AND HE DIDN'T CARE
IF THERE WERE BOSSES ABOVE HIM,
AND HE SHOULD HAVE CARED.
**
Narrator: EVEN IN DEATH,
SIEGEL CLINGS
TO THE GLAMOROUS LIFE.
WHEN BUGSY DIED, HIS FUNERAL
STILL HAD A TOUCH OF GLAM.
HE WAS BURIED IN A $5,000
SILVER-PLATED CASKET.
**
Narrator: BUT THE MOB'S BRUTAL
EXECUTION OF ONE OF THEIR OWN
HAS KEPT FEARFUL MOURNERS AWAY.
**
THE RUSHED FIVE-MINUTE SERVICE
IS ATTENDED BY ONLY FIVE PEOPLE.
Dezenhall: BEN SIEGEL
HAD BECOME TOO HOT.
A BIG MURDER
OF A BIG GANGSTER --
NOBODY WANTS
THEIR FINGERPRINTS ON THAT.
[ FLASH BULBS POPPING ]
Narrator: CONSPICUOUSLY ABSENT
IS BUGSY'S LONG-STANDING LOVER,
VIRGINIA HILL.
VIRGINIA KNEW WHERE
HER BREAD WAS BUTTERED.
SHE WASN'T ABOUT TO SHOW UP
TO THAT FUNERAL
AND POSSIBLY BE THE LATEST ENEMY
TO HAVE HIT MEN AFTER HER.
**
Narrator: BUT BUGSY SIEGEL'S
LAS VEGAS DREAM
FINALLY CAME TRUE.
**
IF HE'D LIVED TO SEE IT,
THE POOR BOY FROM BROOKLYN
MIGHT HAVE ENDED UP ONE OF
THE RICHEST MEN IN THE WORLD.
HE BOUGHT 800 ACRES OF DESERT
NEAR HIS FLAMINGO RESORT.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT
THAT 800 ACRES IS NOW?
IT'S THE LAS VEGAS STRIP.
**
Narrator: AT ITS PEAK VALUE,
THAT MUCH OF THE STRIP
COULD HAVE BEEN
WORTH OVER $27 BILLION.
**
THAT WAS PART OF BENNY'S VISION.
HE SAW IT.
HE SAW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
THAT'S WHY HE BOUGHT THE LAND.
Narrator: SIN CITY
WILL FOREVER BE LINKED
TO THE LEGEND OF A BLUE-EYED
AND CHARMING KILLER
WHO THOUGHT HE WAS ABOVE
THE MAFIA CODE
AND OUT OF REACH
OF ITS MOST HEINOUS BOSSES.
LAS VEGAS SHOULD HAVE
A GIANT STATUE OF BENNY SIEGEL
RIGHT SMACK DAB
IN THE LAS VEGAS STRIP
BECAUSE, WITHOUT HIM,
IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN.
**
THE PLAYBOY MOBSTER...
YOU DIRTY RAT.
...WITH MOVIE-STAR LOOKS...
[ GUNSHOTS ]
Blass: HE'S KNOWN
AS BABY BLUE EYES.
HE HAD THIS ROUGH EDGE
AROUND HIM,
AND THAT'S WHAT WOMEN
LOVED ABOUT HIM.
Narrator:
BUGSY IS NO MATINEE IDOL.
[ GUNSHOT ]
HE'S A VICIOUS GANGSTER
WITH A PSYCHOPATH'S
LUST FOR MURDER.
Dezenhall: BEN SIEGEL WASN'T
A MAKE-PRETEND TOUGH GUY.
HE WAS AN OUT-AND-OUT KILLER.
Blass: BUGSY WAS THE ULTIMATE
ALPHA MALE.
HE WAS DRIVEN BY POWER,
MONEY, STATUS AND SEX.
Narrator: THIS MOBSTER VISIONARY
WILL TRANSFORM A DUSTY TOWN
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
INTO A GLITTERING SYMBOL
OF THE MAFIA.
HE WANTED TO BECOME THE KING
OF THIS NEW, GLAMOROUS LAND.
Narrator: BUT HE STOPS PLAYING
BY THE MAFIA'S RULES.
Zoeller: THERE WAS
A PECKING ORDER IN THE MAFIA,
AND THE MOB DOES NOT LIKE
TO BE SCREWED OVER.
Narrator: BUGSY STUMBLES
INTO HIS OWN DEADLY NIGHTMARE.
THAT'S AN ABSOLUTE
DEATH SENTENCE.
IT'S TOTALLY UNFORGIVABLE.
Narrator: BUT BUGSY'S LEGEND AS
THE FOUNDER OF LAS VEGAS
LIVES ON FOREVER.
[ GUNSHOT ]
**
[ GUNSHOTS ]
**
[ GUNSHOT ]
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS ]
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
[ GUNSHOT ]
Narrator: JUNE 20th, 1947 --
NOTORIOUS GANGSTER
BUGSY SIEGEL
HAS FLOWN FROM
HIS NEW CASINO IN VEGAS
TO HIS LOVER'S MANSION IN L.A.
**
THAT EVENING, HE MEETS WITH
MOB ASSOCIATE ALLEN SMILEY.
ALLEN SMILEY AND BUGSY SIEGEL
WENT INTO THE LIVING ROOM
AND SAT IN THE SOFA,
AND THEY WERE CHATTING.
Narrator: BUT AS THEY ENJOY
A DRINK, A HIT MAN LURKS.
**
[ GUNSHOTS ]
[ GLASS SHATTERING ]
SMILEY DIVES TO THE FLOOR.
[ GUNSHOTS CONTINUE ]
A BULLET TEARS
THROUGH BUGSY'S HEAD.
[ GUNSHOTS CONTINUES ]
**
[ BULB POPS ]
**
Zoeller:
THE SHOTS HIT BUGSY SIEGEL,
TWO IN THE HEAD
AND TWO IN THE UPPER TORSO.
FIVE OTHERS MISSED, BUT ONE
SHOT ACTUALLY EXPLODED
HIS LEFT EYE OUT OF THE SOCKET.
Narrator:
BUGSY SIEGEL,
THE GANGSTER
RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING
THE GLITZY LAS VEGAS
WE KNOW TODAY,
NOW LIES IN A POOL
OF HIS OWN BLOOD.
[ SLOT MACHINE DINGS ]
WHY DID THE MOB TURN ON THE MAN
WHO WOULD EARN THEM
SO MUCH MONEY?
**
BENJAMIN SIEGEL GROWS UP
IN JEWISH BROOKLYN.
**
DESTINED TO BE A CRIMINAL,
HE HAS A REPUTATION FOR VIOLENCE
AND A BRAIN FOR BUSINESS.
**
BUT IN THE 1920s,
AMBITIONS FOR JEWISH HOODLUMS
ARE SEVERELY LIMITED.
**
Volkman: YOU HAD
VERY STRICT DIVISIONS
BETWEEN THE VARIOUS
ETHNIC GANGS.
JEWS DIDN'T EVEN GO INTO
ITALIAN NEIGHBORHOODS.
ITALIANS DIDN'T EVEN GO INTO
JEWISH NEIGHBORHOODS,
MUCH LESS COOPERATE ON CRIME.
**
Narrator: BUT IN 1929, THE WORLD
OPENS UP FOR YOUNG SIEGEL
WHEN AN UP-AND-COMING
ITALIAN-AMERICAN MASTERMIND,
CHARLES "LUCKY" LUCIANO,
REALIZES THAT SEGREGATION
IS SIMPLY BAD FOR BUSINESS.
Dezenhall:
A TRUE CAPITALIST DOESN'T CARE
ABOUT RACE OR RELIGION,
AND LUCIANO RECOGNIZED
THAT IF YOU KEEP THE RACKETS
JUST TO ITALIANS,
YOU CUT OUT A LOT
OF GREAT EARNERS.
**
[ TIRES SCREECH ]
Narrator:
WITH HIS MULTIETHNIC GANG,
LUCIANO BLAZES A BLOODY TRAIL
TO THE TOP OF THE UNDERWORLD.
[ GUNFIRE ]
LUCKY LUCIANO WAS
THE ULTIMATE MOB BOSS.
NOBODY MESSED WITH HIM.
HE RAN THIS HUGE
PROSTITUTION RING.
HE WAS RUTHLESS.
HE WAS BASICALLY AMERICA'S PIMP.
Narrator:
BUT BEFORE LUCIANO CAN BE
CROWNED NUMBER ONE CRIME BOSS,
HE NEEDS TO REMOVE
THE TWO DANGEROUS OBSTACLES
IN HIS PATH...
AND THE SAVVY BUGSY SIEGEL
IS THE PERFECT MAN FOR THE JOB.
Volkman:
LUCIANO SAW IN SIEGEL
SOMEBODY WHO COULD EFFICIENTLY
CARRY OUT THE DIRTY WORK.
**
WANT TO HIJACK A TRUCK?
YOU SEND SIEGEL.
WANT TO HAVE SOMEBODY
TO BEAT UP,
SERVE A LESSON, WHATEVER?
YOU SEND SIEGEL.
Narrator: SIEGEL'S SKILLS
ARE ABOUT TO BE
PUT TO THEIR GREATEST TEST.
**
Dezenhall: THE TWO BIG PEOPLE
STANDING IN LUCIANO'S WAY
WERE THE BOSSES
SALVATORE MARANZANO
AND JOE MASSERIA.
Narrator: THEY'RE THE DONS
HEADING NEW YORK'S
TWO DOMINANT
ITALIAN-AMERICAN MOB FAMILIES,
AND LUCIANO IS ABOUT TO UNLEASH
HIS JEWISH SECRET WEAPON
TO TAKE THESE MEN OUT.
**
APRIL 15th, 1931 --
LUCIANO BAITS THE TRAP
IN A BROOKLYN RESTAURANT,
ALLOWING BUGSY SIEGEL
TO EXECUTE A BRUTAL HIT
ON JOE "THE BOSS" MASSERIA.
**
**
LUCIANO WAITS JUST 5 MONTHS
BEFORE UNLEASHING BUGSY
AND HIS GOONS ON THE LAST
STANDING MOB BOSS IN HIS WAY,
SALVATORE MARANZANO.
**
[ STABBING ]
**
Volkman: CARRYING THAT OUT
ESTABLISHED BEN SIEGEL,
IN LUCIANO'S EYES,
AS SOMEONE WHO COULD BE
TOTALLY RELIED ON.
**
Narrator: HAVING EXTERMINATED
THE OPPOSITION,
LUCIANO TAKES COMMAND,
RESTRUCTURING AND ORGANIZING
THE ENTIRE EAST COAST
CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD
INTO FIVE SEPARATE FAMILIES.
**
IT'S A CRIMINAL REVOLUTION,
ESTABLISHING THE
MODERN MAFIA IN AMERICA,
UNITING FEUDING GANGS
INTO A CRIMINAL EMPIRE
POWERFUL ENOUGH
TO OUTWIT GOVERNMENTS.
**
AND FOR HIS ROLE IN CREATING
THIS HEINOUS LEVIATHAN,
BEN SIEGEL IS ASSURED
A PRIVILEGED POSITION.
BEN SIEGEL WAS A TREMENDOUS
ASSET TO LUCIANO,
AND LUCIANO WAS
A TREMENDOUS ASSET
TO SOMEBODY LIKE SIEGEL.
[ MAN VOCALIZING ]
Narrator: BUGSY'S RISE TO FAVOR
WITH LUCIANO
ISN'T JUST DUE TO
HIS RUTHLESS OBEDIENCE.
HE ALSO STANDS OUT
AMONGST THE CRIMINAL THUGS.
Volkman: BEN, HE WAS CHARMING,
GREAT AT CONVERSATION.
YOU COULDN'T FIND A MORE FUNNY
GUY TO BE AROUND, JUST GREAT.
Dezenhall: HE WAS ALSO HANDSOME,
HAD A SENSE OF STYLE
AND WAS AMBITIOUS.
Narrator: WITH HIS IRRESISTIBLE
CHARM AND SOCIAL SKILLS,
IT ISN'T LONG BEFORE
BUGSY BECOMES LUCIANO'S
RIGHT-HAND MAN.
[ SHATTERS ]
[ WOMEN SCREAM ]
HE TRAVELS THE COUNTRY,
COORDINATING TAKEOVERS
OF LOCAL MOBS AND RACKETS.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ]
AND IF HIS SILVER TONGUE
CAN'T CLOSE THE DEAL,
BUGSY LETS HIS GUN
DO THE TALKING.
[ GUNSHOT ]
[ MAN GROANS ]
[ TIRES SCREECH ]
GANGSTER LIFE SUITS
BEN SIEGEL TO A "T,"
AND IT'S MAKING HIM RICH.
**
FLAUNTING HIS WEALTH,
HE BUYS AN APARTMENT
IN THE WALDORF-ASTORIA,
NEW YORK'S ARCHITECTURAL
ICON OF GLAMOUR AND LUXURY.
FOR BEN SIEGEL, IT WAS ALL
ABOUT THE DISPLAY.
IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE STYLE.
IT WAS ALL ABOUT
WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT.
**
Volkman: BUGSY WANTED TO
ADVERTISE A VERY SIMPLE FACT --
"I AM A PERSON OF POOR
IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND
"WHO HAS MADE A SUCCESS.
I'VE ACHIEVED
THE AMERICAN DREAM."
**
Narrator: AND FOR
THE APPROVAL-HUNGRY SIEGEL,
WHAT BETTER WAY TO IMPRESS
THAN WITH A STRING
OF HIGH-CLASS WOMEN?
Blass: BUGSY SIEGEL IS KNOWN
AS BABY BLUE EYES.
HE'S ALSO IRRESISTIBLE.
HE OWNED THE ROOM
WHEN HE WALKED IN,
AND THAT'S WHAT WOMEN
LOVED ABOUT HIM.
**
Narrator:
BUT FOR ALL THE GOOD TIMES,
BUGSY WILL NEVER ESCAPE
THE STONE-COLD REALITY
OF MOB LIFE.
**
BUGSY SIEGEL IS TAKING A DRIVE
WITH HIS BOYHOOD PAL,
BO WEINBERG.
**
THEY REMINISCE ABOUT
MAKING THEIR BONES
ON THE MEAN STREETS
OF NEW YORK'S LOWER EAST SIDE.
BO WEINBERG,
HAVING STEPPED OUT OF LINE
AND DISRESPECTED HIS BOSS,
DOESN'T KNOW THAT HIS OLD FRIEND
BUGSY IS ON A MISSION.
**
IF BUGSY IS TO MAINTAIN
THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
OF THE MAFIA'S TOP BRASS,
HE NEEDS TO DEMONSTRATE
HE KNOWS LOYALTY
TO THE BOSS IS MORE IMPORTANT
THAN A LIFELONG FRIENDSHIP.
[ SPEAKING INAUDIBLY ]
BEN WAS A GUY WHO UNDERSTOOD
THIS IS THE WAY
THE ORGANIZATION WORKS.
THE ORGANIZATION SAYS,
"GET RID OF YOUR BEST FRIEND,"
YOU GOT RID OF YOUR BEST FRIEND.
**
[ CROW CAWING ]
[ STABBING CONTINUES ]
BUSINESS IS BUSINESS.
THAT'S THE WAY IT WORKS.
YOU PUT YOUR PERSONAL
FEELINGS ASIDE.
[ CROW CAWING ]
Narrator: BO WEINBERG IS JUST
ONE OF A STRING OF HITS
THAT EARN BUGSY,
EVERY MOBSTER'S FRIEND,
A WHOLE LOT OF ENEMIES.
**
BY 1937, BUGSY IS A MAN
WITH A PRICE ON HIS HEAD...
[ GUNSHOTS ]
...AND WANTED BY RIVAL GANGS.
Volkman: HERE WAS THE PROBLEM.
BUGSY HAD BECOME
A LITTLE TOO NOTORIOUS.
Dezenhall: THERE WAS A LOT
OF HEAT IN NEW YORK.
THERE WERE GANG WARS,
AND HE WAS VULNERABLE.
Narrator: CHIEF AMONGST HIS
ENEMIES IS WAXEY GORDON,
THE EAST COAST BOOTLEGGING KING.
SIEGEL HAS RUBBED OUT
SIX OF HIS MEN,
AND NOW, WAXEY
IS GUNNING FOR REVENGE.
**
BUT GETTING TO BUGSY
WON'T BE EASY.
[ SPORTS BROADCAST PLAYS
ON RADIO ]
AND HE'S HITTING HIM
WITH A LEFT,
HE'S HITTING HIM
WITH A RIGHT...
BUGSY'S OFFICES IN MANHATTAN
ARE HEAVILY PROTECTED...
SAVE ONE FATAL WEAK SPOT.
**
THE ROOF IS NOT GUARDED.
**
AS BUGSY LISTENS
TO A PRIZE FIGHT...
**
A HIT MAN CLIMBS ONTO
THE ROOF...
[ RADIO CONTINUES
INDISTINCTLY ]
...AND TOSSES A BOMB
DOWN THE CHIMNEY STACK.
[ RADIO CONTINUES
INDISTINCTLY ]
[ EXPLOSION ]
[ CLATTERING ]
[ SIREN WAILING ]
MIRACULOUSLY, BUGSY SURVIVES.
**
OUT FOR REVENGE,
BUGSY LEAVES HOSPITAL
AGAINST DOCTORS' ORDERS.
Volkman: BUGSY LOST HIS TEMPER
AND SNUCK OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.
HE GOT SO ANGRY THAT SOMEBODY
TRIED TO BLOW HIM UP.
[ MEN CHATTERING ]
Narrator: AND IT DOESN'T TAKE
LONG FOR HIM
TO HUNT THE BOMBER DOWN.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
**
Volkman:
HE SHOOTS THE GUY IN FRONT OF
TWO WITNESSES IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.
EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD KNEW
THAT BEN SIEGEL HAD DONE IT.
Narrator: BUGSY'S GOT
HIS SWEET REVENGE,
BUT THE VIOLENCE IS THREATENING
TO GET OUT OF CONTROL.
**
LUCIANO KNOWS HIS TOP MAN
MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY NEXT TIME.
[ SIRENS WAILING ]
Dezenhall:
NEW YORK WAS GETTING TOO HOT,
AND THE BEST THING TO DO
WAS GET OUT OF TOWN.
[ CLICKS ]
Narrator: LUCIANO SENDS
BUGSY TO CALIFORNIA,
PUTTING 3,000 MILES BETWEEN HIM
AND THE VENGEANCE OF RIVAL
EAST COAST MOBSTERS.
**
BUT LUCIANO HASN'T
SENT BUGSY OUT WEST
JUST TO WORK ON HIS SUNTAN.
THE TOP MOBSTER HAS A BIGGER
PLAN FOR HIS PROTEGE.
Volkman: LUCIANO AND THE
NEW YORK MAFIA HAVE THE IDEA,
"LET'S EXPAND OPERATIONS
IN CALIFORNIA."
**
Narrator: BEN SIEGEL
IS ABOUT TO MAKE
A BIG IMPRESSION IN HOLLYWOOD,
BUT IT WON'T TAKE LONG FOR
HIS PAST TO CATCH UP WITH HIM.
[ SIRENS WAILING ]
Narrator: MOBSTER BUGSY SIEGEL'S
REIGN OF TERROR
ON THE EAST COAST
HAS GOTTEN OUT OF HAND.
[ EXPLOSION, CLATTERING ]
HIS BOSS, LUCKY LUCIANO,
HAS DISPATCHED HIM
ACROSS THE COUNTRY
FROM NEW YORK TO CALIFORNIA.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
HIS NEW MISSION -- TO MUSCLE IN
ON THE WEST COAST RACKETS.
**
BUGSY'S IMMEDIATE TARGET
IS JACK DRAGNA,
THE AL CAPONE OF LOS ANGELES.
HE DIDN'T CARE THAT
HE WAS STEPPING
ON TOES OF JACK DRAGNA.
HE JUST DID WHAT
HE WANTED TO DO.
Narrator: BUGSY'S MURDEROUS
REPUTATION HAS FOLLOWED HIM,
AND A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED THREAT
IS ENOUGH TO MAKE DRAGNA
HAND OVER CONTROL OF HIS
GAMBLING OPERATION.
**
[ ANNOUNCER SPEAKING
INDISTINCTLY ]
BUGSY'S TAKEOVER IS SOON
GENERATING ENORMOUS PROFITS
FOR LUCIANO AND THE MOB,
TOTALING BY 1942
SOME $8 MILLION A YEAR,
NEARLY $120 MILLION
IN TODAY'S MONEY.
Announcer:
...WILL WIN BY A LENGTH!
**
Narrator: BEFORE LONG,
BUGSY SIEGEL IS CALIFORNIA'S
MOST POWERFUL GANGSTER,
AND RUMORS SURROUNDING
THIS NOTORIOUS BAD BOY
CAPTIVATE HOLLYWOOD'S A-LIST.
IMAGINE BUGSY WALKING INTO
THESE HOLLYWOOD PARTIES,
THE ULTIMATE VIP.
EVERYBODY WANTED TO TALK TO HIM
BECAUSE HE WAS SO MYSTERIOUS,
AND HE JUST HAD
THIS CHARISMA ABOUT HIM.
Zoeller:
HOLLYWOOD ACTUALLY THOUGHT
THEY SAW A STAR IN BUGSY SIEGEL.
BUGSY SIEGEL WAS A HIT MAN,
A MAFIA GUY.
THEY LOVED IT.
THEY LOVED HIM.
**
Narrator: IF HOLLYWOOD
IS ENTHRALLED BY BUGSY,
IT SEEMS THE TINSELTOWN LURE HAS
ALSO RUBBED OFF ON THE MOBSTER.
**
BUGSY SIEGEL ACTUALLY
DID A SCREEN TEST AT ONE TIME.
Narrator:
WHILE BUGSY'S ACTING FAILS TO
IMPRESS STUDIO PRODUCERS,
THE RUGGED GANGSTER
WITH BABY-BLUE EYES IS A HIT...
[ CORK POPS ]
...WITH HOLLYWOOD'S
LEADING LADIES.
Blass:
HE WAS THAT HOLLYWOOD GANGSTER,
AND WOMEN LOVED HIM FOR THAT.
-[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: BUGSY SIEGEL'S
SEXUAL APPETITE IS RAVENOUS.
[ LAUGHS ]
Blass: BUGSY WAS THE ULTIMATE
ALPHA MALE.
HE WAS DRIVEN BY POWER,
MONEY, STATUS...
AND SEX.
**
Narrator: THE GLAMOROUS LIFE
OF A GANGSTER'S GIRLFRIEND,
KNOWN AS A MOLL,
ATTRACTS MANY WOMEN,
AND THE QUEEN OF THEM ALL,
GREEN-EYED VIRGINIA HILL,
IS ABOUT TO STOP BUGSY
IN HIS TRACKS.
Volkman:
A MOLL IS A PARTY GIRL.
VIRGINIA HILL IS
THE ULTIMATE MOLL.
NOT ONLY WAS SHE A MOLL,
SHE WAS A TRUSTED MOLL.
SHE WAS A MOLL WHO THEY COULD
GIVE MONEY TO TO BE HIDDEN,
TO BE TRANSFERRED,
AND THEY KNEW, TO THE PENNY,
SHE WOULD DO IT.
SHE LOVED THAT WORLD,
THE EXCITEMENT, THE DANGER.
SHE BELIEVED "LIFE IS SHORT.
ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN."
**
Blass: WHEN BUGSY AND
VIRGINIA HILL MET, SPARKS FLEW.
BUGSY WAS SO INTRIGUED
BY VIRGINIA.
HERE IS SOMEBODY WHO'S
CONFIDENT AND RICH
AND VERY DIFFERENT
THAN THE HOLLYWOOD GIRLS
HE WAS USED TO
GETTING HIS WAY WITH.
**
Narrator: VIRGINIA'S
BRASH SEXUAL CONFIDENCE
IS A BIG HIT WITH BUGSY,
AND THE PAIR SOON START
A TEMPESTUOUS LOVE AFFAIR.
**
Dezenhall: BEN SIEGEL BECAME
OBSESSED WITH HER,
AND THE OBSESSION WAS FUELED BY
THE FACT THAT SHE MADE NO BONES
ABOUT SPENDING TIME
WITH OTHER PEOPLE,
WHICH WAS A PERVERSE TURN-ON.
**
Narrator: LOVE AND CRIME
FUELED BUGSY'S HIGH LIFE,
BUT HIS NOTORIETY IS ABOUT
TO BRING UNWANTED ATTENTION.
**
1935 --
NEW YORK SPECIAL PROSECUTOR
THOMAS DEWEY
LAUNCHES A CRUSADE
AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME.
[ TYPING ]
**
AND HIS FIRST HIGH-PROFILE HIT
IS BUGSY'S GANGLAND PATRON,
LUCKY LUCIANO, WHO GOES DOWN
ON A 30-TO-50-YEAR
PRISON SENTENCE
FOR PROSTITUTION.
**
DEWEY IS DETERMINED
THAT THERE WILL BE MORE.
[ TYPING ]
Dezenhall:
THEN THE BIG QUESTION WAS,
AFTER LUCIANO, WHO'S NEXT?
**
WELL, ONE BIG POSSIBILITY
WAS A FLASHY PERSONALITY
LIKE BUGSY SIEGEL.
**
Narrator: AS DEWEY TURNS UP
THE HEAT, PEOPLE START TO SING.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
[ SNAPS FINGERS ]
PEOPLE LIKE NOTORIOUS TOUGH GUY
AND MOB INSIDER
GREENIE GREENBERG.
[ SPEAKING INAUDIBLY ]
THE MAFIA IMMEDIATELY DECIDES
GREENIE MUST BE SILENCED.
**
AND BUGSY INSISTS ON
OVERSEEING THE DIRTY WORK.
**
GREENIE'S MOUTH
IS SHUT FOR GOOD...
**
[ LAUGHS ]
...BUT HE'S NOT THE ONLY CANARY.
IT ISN'T LONG BEFORE
SOMEONE ELSE SINGS,
AND BASED ON
AN INFORMANT'S TESTIMONY,
DEWEY BUSTS BUGSY WITH
A HIGH-PROFILE MURDER RAP.
[ HANDCUFFS CLICKING ]
Volkman:
NOW BEN'S IN BIG TROUBLE.
CHICAGO GOT NERVOUS.
A LOT OF PEOPLE IN NEW YORK
GOT NERVOUS.
THAT KIND OF PUBLICITY IS NOT
WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR.
**
Narrator: BUT LUCIANO'S MAFIA
IS NOW SO POWERFUL
IT CAN OUTWIT U.S. JUSTICE.
[ SPEAKING INAUDIBLY ]
LUCIANO'S INFLUENCE EXTENDS
RIGHT INTO THE PRISON SYSTEM,
AND NOW HE'S GOING TO USE IT TO
SAVE THE MAFIA'S PRIZED ASSET...
[ CLICKING ]
...BUGSY SIEGEL.
HE'S PUT IN JAIL,
AND HE DECIDES
HE WANTS TO HAVE
A COMFORTABLE EXISTENCE.
HE GETS A SETUP WHERE
HE HAS CATERED MEALS,
AND HE'S ALLOWED TO HAVE
WOMEN VISIT HIM IN HIS CELL.
[ ROMANTIC MUSIC PLAYING ]
Narrator: BUGSY'S DEFENSE
IS MOUNTED
BY THE BEST LAWYER IN TOWN...
[ GIGGLES ]
...AND WHEN THE PROSECUTION'S
STAR WITNESS
MYSTERIOUSLY FALLS
FROM A HOTEL WINDOW,
HE HAS NO PROBLEM IN GETTING
BUGSY SIEGEL ACQUITTED.
**
BUGSY MIGHT HAVE
ESCAPED JUSTICE,
BUT HE CAN'T SILENCE
HOLLYWOOD GOSSIP.
**
Dezenhall:
THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
CARRYING THE WHIFF
OF GANGLAND
AND BEING PINNED FOR
A VERY SPECIFIC MURDER.
Narrator: THE LAST THING THE
SMOOTH-TALKING LADIES' MAN WANTS
IS FOR THE WORLD TO BE
REMINDED OF HIS TRUE NATURE.
SEEING HEADLINES THAT SAID
"BUGSY" DROVE HIM NUTS.
BEN SIEGEL'S NICKNAME IN YIDDISH
WAS [SPEAKS YIDDISH],
WHICH MEANS "A WILD ANIMAL,"
AND THE AMERICAN
TRANSLATION OF THAT WAS
"CRAZY AS A BEDBUG."
THAT'S WHERE THE NICKNAME
"BUGSY" CAME FROM.
**
HE HATED IT.
HE WANTED TO BE CALLED
BEN OR MR. SIEGEL.
**
Narrator: HOLLYWOOD
TURNS ITS BACK ON BUGSY,
LEAVING HIS PRIDE IN TATTERS.
**
Blass: HE'S USED TO BEING
THE LIFE OF THE PARTY,
THE ONE WHO GOT
ALL THE LADIES,
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN,
THAT STOPPED,
AND HE COULDN'T HANDLE IT.
**
Narrator:
BUGSY'S GOING TO SHOW THE WORLD
THAT THE JEWISH GANGSTER
RAISED IN NEW YORK'S
EAST SIDE GHETTO
IS NOT TO BE SNEERED AT.
Dezenhall:
THE LEVEL OF INSECURITY
AT THE CORE OF BEN SIEGEL'S
SELF-ESTEEM
IS A REAL KEY PART
TO UNDERSTANDING HIM.
BECAUSE NO MATTER
HOW SUCCESSFUL THEY GOT,
SOMEBODY LIKE BEN SIEGEL
WAS VERY, VERY AWARE
THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE
LOOKING DOWN THEIR NOSE AT HIM.
Narrator: WITH HIS LOVER,
VIRGINIA, IN TOW,
BUGSY TAKES THE BIGGEST
GAMBLE OF HIS LIFE
AND HEADS
TO A ONE-HORSE DESERT TOWN
THAT WILL MAKE HIM A LEGEND
BUT ULTIMATELY LEAD
TO HIS DOWNFALL --
LAS VEGAS.
**
Narrator: BUGSY SIEGEL
HAS BEATEN THE RAP
FOR THE MURDER
OF GREENIE GREENBERG.
[ DOOR SLAMS ]
ONCE THE TOAST OF HOLLYWOOD,
TINSELTOWN HAS TURNED ON HIM,
BUT BUGSY'S GOT A PLAN.
**
300 MILES EAST OF L.A.,
BUGSY SEES A BIG FUTURE
FOR A SMALL TOWN.
LAS VEGAS MAY LACK
HOLLYWOOD GLITZ,
BUT IT HAS ONE THING THAT
L.A. DOESN'T --
LEGAL GAMBLING.
IT WAS JUST A DESERT TOWN,
PRETTY EMPTY.
IT WAS NOT THE GLAMOROUS WORLD
THAT HE'S LEAVING BEHIND,
BUT HE HAD A VISION FOR IT,
AND HE WAS OUT TO MAKE IT
THE NEXT DESTINATION
THAT HE COULD BE THE KING OF.
Narrator: HIS PLAN
IS AUDACIOUS AND BRILLIANT.
IN THE HANDS OF THE MOB,
LAS VEGAS COULD BECOME
A GOLD MINE.
HE WANTED TO BRING THE HOLLYWOOD
GLAM TO THE DESERT.
**
Narrator: BUGSY PLANS TO BUILD
A LUXURY RESORT,
INCLUDING A 105-ROOM HOTEL,
SWIMMING POOL AND LAVISH
ENTERTAINMENT VENUE.
Volkman: IT'S ON THE MAIN
HIGHWAY FROM CALIFORNIA,
AND GUESS WHAT?
AMERICANS, THEY LOVE TO GAMBLE.
GOD HELP US,
THEY LOVE TO GAMBLE.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
Narrator: AND IF BUGSY'S WILD
GAMBLE PAYS OFF,
EVERY HIGH-ROLLER
AND MOVIE STAR IN TINSELTOWN
WILL BE LINING UP AT HIS DOOR
TO SPEND THEIR MONEY.
AND BUGSY'S GOING TO NAME
HIS GLITZY RESORT
THE FLAMINGO, IN HONOR
OF HIS LOVER, VIRGINIA HILL.
BUGSY SIEGEL CALLED HER
A FLAMINGO
BECAUSE OF HER LONG LEGS,
SO SHE WAS HIS FLAMINGO.
**
Narrator:
IF BUGSY'S GOING TO BUILD
A GAMBLING MECCA FOR THE MOB,
HE'S GOING TO NEED INVESTORS.
**
IN ORDER FOR BEN SIEGEL TO MAKE
THE FLAMINGO WHAT HE WANTED,
HE NEEDED CAPITAL,
AND HE NEEDED A LOT OF IT.
AT FIRST, THE FIGURE
WAS $1 MILLION.
**
Narrator:
BEN SIEGEL'S IN LUCK.
LUCIANO'S TREASURER,
MEYER LANSKY,
IS BUGSY'S CHILDHOOD BUDDY.
AND HE APPROVES BUGSY'S LOAN.
**
LUCIANO WAS ALL BUSINESS,
AND HE AND LANSKY
ARE ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED
THEY HAVE A WINNER.
[ INSECTS CHIRPING ]
Narrator: DECEMBER 1945 --
CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLAMINGO
GETS OFF TO A FLYING START.
**
BUT IT SOON BECOMES OBVIOUS
THAT WHILE BUGSY EXCELS
IN KILLING AND LOVING,
RUNNING A MASSIVE
BUILDING PROJECT
IS SOMETHING ELSE.
**
HE NOW HAD TO BE
A PROPERTY DEVELOPER,
AND THIS COMES WITH
A WHOLE DIFFERENT SKILL SET
THAT HE SIMPLY DID NOT HAVE.
**
Narrator:
WEEKS AFTER BREAKING GROUND,
IT'S CLEAR BUGSY SIEGEL'S DESIGN
PLANS ARE GOING TO COST BIG.
[ FLAMINGOS SQUAWKING ]
Volkman:
HE HAD THESE CRAZY IDEAS.
"I WANT FLAMINGOS.
GET A WHOLE BUNCH OF FLAMINGOS.
PUT THE FLAMINGOS IN THERE."
SO AT GREAT EXPENSE,
THEY HAD TO GO TO FLORIDA,
BUY THESE FLAMINGOS,
PUT THEM IN THE MOAT,
AND, OF COURSE, WITHIN
THREE DAYS, THEY ALL DIED.
Narrator: AS THE FINANCIAL
PRESSURES MOUNT,
THE CONSTRUCTION CREW SOON LEARN
HOW BUGSY EARNED HIS REPUTATION.
[ SHOUTS INAUDIBLY ]
BEN WOULD ERUPT IN
ONE OF THESE RAGES,
AND HE WOULD START, AS HE OFTEN
DID, START TO SCREAM AND YELL,
"I'LL KILL YOU. I'LL KILL YOU.
I'LL KILL YOU."
Narrator: BUGSY GIVES THE MADLY
EXTRAVAGANT VIRGINIA
A FREE REIGN
ON FURNISHINGS,
AND THINGS GO
FROM BAD TO WORSE.
**
IT ISN'T LONG BEFORE
BUGSY IS FORCED
TO GO BACK TO HIS
UNDERWORLD INVESTORS.
Dezenhall:
WHEN YOU'RE ASKING SOMEBODY
FOR MULTIPLE MILLIONS
IN THE 1940s,
THAT WAS REAL SERIOUS MONEY.
Narrator: IN THE MOB,
EYEBROWS WERE RAISED,
BUT LANSKY COMES THROUGH
FOR HIS OLD PAL BUGSY.
THINGS IMPROVE,
BUT NOT FOR LONG.
HE WAS IN OVER HIS HEAD.
HE HAD NO IDEA HOW TO
BUILD UP A WHOLE CASINO,
SO HE BORROWED MORE
AND MORE MONEY,
AND HE GOT MORE
AND MORE OVER HIS HEAD.
**
Narrator: WITHIN MONTHS,
THE PROJECTED COSTS
FOR THE FLAMINGO
JUMP FROM THE ORIGINAL
$1.5 MILLION
TO A JAW-DROPPING $4 MILLION.
[ LAUGHING ]
DEVELOPING LAS VEGAS
IS STARTING TO BURN
A SERIOUS HOLE
IN THE MOB'S POCKET,
AND BUGSY IS STARTING
TO RUFFLE FEATHERS.
AT THE SAME TIME
HE WAS OUT OF HIS DEPTH,
HE WAS ALSO TALKING TO HIS
INVESTORS VERY DISRESPECTFULLY.
HE WAS TELLING THEM, "YOU KNOW
WHAT? MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
YOU GAVE ME THE MONEY.
LET ME DO MY JOB. LET ME DO IT."
[ SPEAKING INAUDIBLY ]
Narrator: 1946 --
SIX MONTHS INTO
THE FLAMINGO'S CONSTRUCTION,
BUGSY'S INVESTOR, LUCKY LUCIANO,
IS RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE.
Zoeller: THEY THOUGHT
THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST
SOMEWHERE AROUND $1 MILLION,
AND HE WAS ALREADY
AT $6 MILLION FOR THIS PROJECT.
Narrator: BUGSY KNOWS THAT
LUCIANO AND HIS ASSOCIATES
ARE STARTING TO THINK
HE'S A BAD BET.
WITH HIS DREAM SLIPPING AWAY,
BUGSY MAKES A DESPERATE GAMBLE.
[ SPEAKING INAUDIBLY ]
HE ASSURES LUCIANO THE FLAMINGO
WILL BE READY TO LAUNCH
JUST AFTER CHRISTMAS,
GUARANTEEING A GRAND GALA
OPENING NIGHT.
[ SPEAKING INAUDIBLY ]
**
LIVING ON BORROWED TIME,
BUGSY RACES
TO FINISH HIS CASINO.
**
DECEMBER 26th, 1946 --
THE FLAMINGO IS FINALLY
READY TO OPEN ITS DOORS,
BUT THE DICE ARE LOADED
AGAINST BUGSY,
AS FREAK RAINS
BEAT DOWN ON LAS VEGAS.
**
ONE OF THE WORST STORMS
IN 150 YEARS BLOWS UP.
PLANES ARE GROUNDED.
ALL THE HOLLYWOOD STARS
CAN'T COME.
Dezenhall: IT'S RAINING.
THE ACTS AREN'T THERE.
NOBODY SHOWS UP.
IT IS AN ABSOLUTE DEBACLE
AND, NOW,
THE BOYS BACK EAST
ARE VERY UPSET.
THE DEAL IS NOT PAYING OFF.
**
Narrator: AND THERE'S MORE
DISTURBING NEWS.
ON TOP OF THE
DISASTROUS OPENING,
LANSKY GOES OVER THE BOOKS
AND DISCOVERS PART
OF THE CONSTRUCTION BUDGET
HAS BEEN GOING STRAIGHT
INTO BUGSY'S POCKET.
THE MOB DOES NOT LIKE
TO BE SCREWED OVER.
Narrator: FAT CAT BUGSY SIEGEL
IS RUNNING OUT OF LIVES,
AND HE'S ABOUT TO BE BETRAYED
BY THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE.
[ SOBBING ]
Narrator: BUGSY SIEGEL'S PLAN
TO TURN LAS VEGAS
INTO A GAMBLING MECCA
IS IN JEOPARDY.
**
HE'S NOW $6 MILLION IN DEBT
TO THE MOB BOSSES
WHO'VE BEEN
BANKROLLING THE PROJECT.
**
BUGSY WAS IN THE MOB,
AND WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MOB,
THE MOB OWNS YOU.
IT'S NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
**
Narrator: THAT ALONE IS ENOUGH
TO GET MEN KILLED,
BUT SIEGEL HAS AN EVEN
DARKER STAIN TO HIS NAME.
Volkman:
THE MOB BECAME CONVINCED
THAT SOMEBODY WAS STEALING,
AND THAT SOMEBODY
HAD TO BE BEN SIEGEL.
**
VIRGINIA HILL WAS MAKING
FREQUENT TRIPS
TO ZURICH, SWITZERLAND,
ALTHOUGH SHE WAS NOT KNOWN
TO BE FOND OF SKIING.
AND, FROM THAT,
THEY EXTRAPOLATED
BEN WAS SKIMMING,
SHE WAS HIDING THE MONEY
IN A SWISS BANK ACCOUNT.
**
Narrator: BUGSY'S CELEBRITY
AND CONNECTIONS
HAVE GONE TO HIS HEAD.
NOW A LAW UNTO HIMSELF,
THE RENEGADE GANGSTER
HAS BLATANTLY BRUSHED ASIDE
A MAFIA CARDINAL RULE.
Dezenhall: BEN SIEGEL CAME TO
THINK OF HIMSELF
AS A BREAKOUT CHARACTER.
AND THAT'S A REAL PROBLEM,
BECAUSE, IN THAT WORLD,
THERE ARE NO
BREAKOUT CHARACTERS.
YOU ARE STILL A PART
OF AN ORGANISM,
AND IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU.
IT'S ABOUT THEM.
**
Narrator: UNKNOWN TO BUGSY,
LUCIANO AND LANSKY
MAKE HIS GIRLFRIEND, VIRGINIA,
AN OFFER SHE CAN'T REFUSE.
**
Volkman: THEY TOOK HER
ASIDE ONE DAY
AND PRESENTED HER
WITH A STARK CHOICE.
**
"EITHER TELL US WHAT'S REALLY
GOING ON THERE...
**
...OR YOU GET ACID
THROWN IN YOUR FACE."
**
AHH!
AND AT THAT POINT,
SHE FELT SHE HAD NO CHOICE
BUT TO BETRAY
THE LOVE OF HER LIFE,
BEN SIEGEL.
**
[ SOBBING ]
Narrator:
VIRGINIA SPILLS THE BEANS.
BUGSY IS A BRAZEN THIEF
AND A TRAITOR,
AND A MAJOR LIABILITY
FOR LUCIANO'S
CAREFULLY STRUCTURED
CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION.
**
BUGSY SIEGEL WAS
DISRESPECTING THE MOB
BECAUSE HE THOUGHT
THAT HE WAS ABOVE ALL THAT.
HE DEFINITELY FORGOT THAT
THERE WAS A CODE OF CONDUCT
AND A PECKING ORDER
IN THE MAFIA,
AND BUGSY THOUGHT THAT
HE WAS THE TOP ON BOTH.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ]
Narrator: YET BUGSY'S
STANDING IN THE MAFIA
AS THE MAN WHO HELPED
LUCIANO CREATE IT
MEANS NOT EVEN VIRGINIA'S
CONFESSION GUARANTEES HIS DEATH.
AT THE 11th HOUR,
BUGSY'S CHILDHOOD FRIEND,
MEYER LANSKY,
INTERVENES ON HIS BEHALF,
PERSUADING LUCIANO
TO GIVE BUGSY ONE LAST CHANCE.
**
[ WOLF WHISTLE ]
[ DANCE MUSIC PLAYING ]
Narrator: BY MAY OF 1947,
THE FLAMINGO FINALLY CLEARS
A $300,000 PROFIT.
BUGSY'S GLAMOROUS VISION
OF A GAMBLING PARADISE
FINALLY SEEMS TO BE PAYING OFF.
BUT BUGSY IS WRONG TO ASSUME
HE'S IN THE CLEAR.
Dezenhall: THE FLAMINGO BEGAN
TURNING A PROFIT,
BUT, BY THAT POINT, A LOT
OF THE DAMAGE HAD BEEN DONE.
[ FILE SCRAPING ]
**
THE EASTERN RACKETEERS
HAD BEN SIEGEL FATIGUE.
[ FILING CONTINUES ]
ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH.
MR. SIEGEL, YOU HAVE
BEAUTIFUL HANDS.
**
Narrator:
AN EXASPERATED LUCKY LUCIANO
REACHES OUT TO BUGSY.
[ DIALS ]
**
[ PHONE RINGS ]
SO LUCKY LUCIANO
CALLS UP BUGSY AND SAYS,
"HEY, IT'S TIME TO PAY UP.
WE LOANED YOU THIS MONEY.
WE'RE GOING TO
NEED IT BACK NOW."
Narrator:
MOST MEN WOULD QUAKE,
BUT BUGSY'S REACTION
TO THE MAFIA'S FEARED
AND RESPECTED BOSS
IS EXTRAORDINARY.
Blass: BUGSY HAD THE AUDACITY
TO SAY TO HIM,
"CALM DOWN. GO TO HELL.
I'LL PAY YOU
WHEN I FEEL LIKE IT"...
-AH, GO TO HELL.
[ RECEIVER SLAMS ]
...WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY SUICIDAL
IN THE MOB WORLD.
YOU KNOW, THE MOB OWNS YOU.
YOU DO NOT SAY THIS
TO YOUR MOB BOSS.
**
Narrator: BUGSY SIEGEL HAS JUST
SIGNED HIS OWN DEATH WARRANT.
**
[ SPEAKING INAUDIBLY ]
Volkman:
IT'S TOTALLY UNFORGIVABLE.
HE MIGHT AS WELL PUT
A GUN TO HIS HEAD.
THAT'S AN ABSOLUTE
DEATH SENTENCE.
**
**
Narrator: BUGSY SIEGEL'S
GRANDIOSE DREAM
OF A LUXURY CASINO
RISING FROM THE NEVADA DESERT
HAS GONE TO HIS HEAD.
HE'S ESCAPED THE WRATH
OF HIS BOSSES FOR THE LAST TIME
AND, NOW, HE'S CROSSED THE LINE.
**
ACTING LIKE A CRIME CZAR
IN HIS OWN RIGHT,
BUGSY, WITH THE HELP
OF HIS LOVER VIRGINIA,
IS SKIMMING OFF THE CASH
THE MAFIA HAS LOANED HIM.
**
Volkman: THE MOB HAS
A VERY STRANGE ETHOS.
THEY'LL STEAL THE PENNIES
OFF A DEAD MAN'S EYES,
BUT GOD HELP YOU
IF YOU STEAL FROM THEM.
**
Narrator: AND NOW, BUGSY'S DONE
THE UNIMAGINABLE,
DIRECTLY DISRESPECTING HIS BOSS,
LUCKY LUCIANO,
THE MOST SENIOR
AND DREADED FIGURE
IN THE CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD.
Volkman: BEN HAD VIOLATED
THE A-NUMBER-ONE CARDINAL RULE.
IT'S DEATH.
**
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
**
Narrator: BUGSY, KNOWING THAT
TROUBLE IS COMING FOR HIM,
HIRES MORE MUSCLE,
AND TURNS HIS PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
AT THE FLAMINGO
INTO A FORTRESS.
**
Volkman: SIEGEL HAD A SPECIAL
SUITE BUILT FOR HIMSELF,
WALLS THICK ENOUGH
TO WITHSTAND A HOWITZER SHELL,
AND A SAFE IN THE FLOOR,
BULLETPROOF WINDOWS
AND A TRAPDOOR
IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CLOSET,
WITH A SET OF STAIRS
LEADING TO A BACK ENTRANCE.
**
Narrator: SIEGEL'S WEAKNESS
IS NOW VIRGINIA.
DESPITE ALL THE FORTIFICATIONS
AT THE FLAMINGO,
VIRGINIA WILL BE THE ONE
WHO LEADS HIM TO HIS DEATH.
BEN IS SO FAR GONE, HE'S SO FAR
OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY,
HE DOESN'T GET IT,
AND IT IS FOR THAT REASON
THAT HE TOOK NO PRECAUTIONS.
BUGSY WAS BUGSY,
AND HE RAN THE SHOW
AND DIDN'T CARE
ABOUT ANYBODY ELSE.
**
Narrator: JUNE 20th, 1947 --
BUGSY SIEGEL HAS ESCAPED
THE PRESSURES OF THE FLAMINGO,
FLYING TO L.A.
TO SEE HIS LOVER.
BUT VIRGINIA HILL HAS
MYSTERIOUSLY LEFT FOR PARIS.
Volkman: SHE DIDN'T WARN BEN.
SHE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING TO BEN.
AND SHE LET
WHAT HAPPENED HAPPEN.
**
Narrator:
BUGSY SIEGEL HAS THE KEYS
TO VIRGINIA'S 16-BEDROOM MANSION
IN BEVERLY HILLS.
**
AND IT'S THERE HE MEETS
MOB ASSOCIATE ALLEN SMILEY.
**
AS THE TWO MEN ENJOY A DRINK,
THE EXECUTIONER IS
PREPARING HIS HIT.
**
Zoeller:
ALLEN SMILEY AND BUGSY SIEGEL
WENT INTO THE LIVING ROOM
AND SAT IN THE SOFA
AND THEY WERE CHATTING.
BUGSY SIEGEL WAS READING
THE EARLY EDITION
OF THE "L.A. TIMES."
[ CLICKS ]
**
Narrator:
THE HIT MAN MAKES HIS MOVE.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
[ SHATTERING ]
[ GUNSHOTS CONTINUE ]
**
[ GLASS SHATTERS ]
[ BULB POPS ]
**
Zoeller:
THE SHOTS HIT BUGSY SIEGEL --
TWO IN THE HEAD
AND TWO IN THE UPPER TORSO.
FIVE OTHERS MISSED, BUT ONE
SHOT ACTUALLY EXPLODED
HIS LEFT EYE OUT OF THE SOCKET.
**
Narrator: BEN "BUGSY" SIEGEL'S
LUCK HAS FINALLY RUN OUT.
**
BUGSY'S CORPSE IS NOT
EVEN COLD WHEN,
IN VEGAS, THREE OF LUCIANO'S MEN
STORM INTO THE FLAMINGO
TO ANNOUNCE
THEY ARE TAKING OVER.
AT THE TIME THESE THREE MEN
CAME INTO THE FLAMINGO HOTEL,
I DON'T EVEN THINK
THE POLICE HAD IDENTIFIED
BENJAMIN SIEGEL AS THE VICTIM
OF THIS MURDER.
**
Narrator: WITH HIS EXECUTION,
BUGSY'S DISRESPECTING OF
LUCIANO HAS BEEN DEALT WITH...
...AND THE MOB'S
$6 MILLION STAKE
IN THE FLAMINGO CASINO
SAFEGUARDED.
BUGSY SIEGEL ACTED
LIKE HE WAS THE BOSS,
AND HE DIDN'T CARE
IF THERE WERE BOSSES ABOVE HIM,
AND HE SHOULD HAVE CARED.
**
Narrator: EVEN IN DEATH,
SIEGEL CLINGS
TO THE GLAMOROUS LIFE.
WHEN BUGSY DIED, HIS FUNERAL
STILL HAD A TOUCH OF GLAM.
HE WAS BURIED IN A $5,000
SILVER-PLATED CASKET.
**
Narrator: BUT THE MOB'S BRUTAL
EXECUTION OF ONE OF THEIR OWN
HAS KEPT FEARFUL MOURNERS AWAY.
**
THE RUSHED FIVE-MINUTE SERVICE
IS ATTENDED BY ONLY FIVE PEOPLE.
Dezenhall: BEN SIEGEL
HAD BECOME TOO HOT.
A BIG MURDER
OF A BIG GANGSTER --
NOBODY WANTS
THEIR FINGERPRINTS ON THAT.
[ FLASH BULBS POPPING ]
Narrator: CONSPICUOUSLY ABSENT
IS BUGSY'S LONG-STANDING LOVER,
VIRGINIA HILL.
VIRGINIA KNEW WHERE
HER BREAD WAS BUTTERED.
SHE WASN'T ABOUT TO SHOW UP
TO THAT FUNERAL
AND POSSIBLY BE THE LATEST ENEMY
TO HAVE HIT MEN AFTER HER.
**
Narrator: BUT BUGSY SIEGEL'S
LAS VEGAS DREAM
FINALLY CAME TRUE.
**
IF HE'D LIVED TO SEE IT,
THE POOR BOY FROM BROOKLYN
MIGHT HAVE ENDED UP ONE OF
THE RICHEST MEN IN THE WORLD.
HE BOUGHT 800 ACRES OF DESERT
NEAR HIS FLAMINGO RESORT.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT
THAT 800 ACRES IS NOW?
IT'S THE LAS VEGAS STRIP.
**
Narrator: AT ITS PEAK VALUE,
THAT MUCH OF THE STRIP
COULD HAVE BEEN
WORTH OVER $27 BILLION.
**
THAT WAS PART OF BENNY'S VISION.
HE SAW IT.
HE SAW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
THAT'S WHY HE BOUGHT THE LAND.
Narrator: SIN CITY
WILL FOREVER BE LINKED
TO THE LEGEND OF A BLUE-EYED
AND CHARMING KILLER
WHO THOUGHT HE WAS ABOVE
THE MAFIA CODE
AND OUT OF REACH
OF ITS MOST HEINOUS BOSSES.
LAS VEGAS SHOULD HAVE
A GIANT STATUE OF BENNY SIEGEL
RIGHT SMACK DAB
IN THE LAS VEGAS STRIP
BECAUSE, WITHOUT HIM,
IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN.
**