The Gangster Files

In the movies and popular culture Al Capone is depicted as a cunning mastermind. This episode reveals the ugly truth. In reality Al Capone was a violent cocaine addict who died suffering mental degeneration from two brain destroying venereal diseases.

In the movies and popular culture John Dillinger is depicted as a brilliant criminal mastermind who died while outnumbered in a gunfight. This episode reveals the ugly truth, Dillinger was shot in the back as he ran away from federal officers in an alleyway.

In the movies and popular culture Bonnie and Clyde are depicted as systematic bank robbers. This episode reveals the ugly truth, Bonnie and Clyde were inept crooks, robbing gas stations and grocery stores. They were so short of money they were reduced to living in a car.

In the movies and popular culture Machine Gun Kelly is depicted as a tough no-nonsense gangster. This episode draws on contemporary newsreels and court room film to reveal the prosaic truth. Machine Gun Kelly was in fact, a bungling and boastful coward controlled by his domineering wife.

In the movies and popular culture Alvin Karpis is depicted as a brilliant criminal mastermind who was captured by F.B.I boss J. Edgar Hoover in person This episode draws on Karpis' own first hand TV interviews and autobiography to reveals the ugly truth, Hoover was lying to boost his own public persona.

In the movies and popular culture Ma Barker is depicted as a criminal mastermind running bank robbing and kidnapping scams. This episode draws on Alvin Karpis' first-hand TV interviews contemporary newsreels and autobiographies to reveal the prosaic truth. Ma Barker was in fact, a holy roller from the Ozarks who loved nothing more violent than jigsaw puzzles.