Post by Anthony on May 22, 2015 23:53:55 GMT
NEW YORK has given us some of film's toughest, most cunning and murderous gangsters, and here are some of our favourites.
the movies have taught us anything, it’s that the gangster is king on the streets of New York – whether he’s hustling a backroom card game, “whacking” his friends and enemies alike, or just slurping up a massive bowl of spaghetti and saying ‘Capiche?’ a lot.
So with Martin Scorsese’s classic New York crime flick Mean Streets re-released on Special Edition DVD next week, we take a look back at the city’s greatest mobters, menaces and Mafioso. Now surely that’s an offer you can’t refuse. Capiche?
Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando)
As Seen In: The Godfather
Criminal Profile: Well, he’s the Godfather, obviously.
Known Associates: As head of New York’s powerful Corleone family, he’s the most connected mobster going. That doesn’t stop rival gangsters gunning him down in the street, mind you. And he still survives. That’s why they call him the ‘Don’.
Trademark Scam: Best known for his “severed horse’s head on the pillow” calling card.
Greatest ‘Hits’: In hospital after the attempt on his life, Vito’s business affairs transfer to his son Michael (Al Pacino), who does the family proud by murdering everyone who’s ever dared cross paths with them.
Charlie (Harvey Kietel)
As Seen In: Mean Streets
Criminal Profile: Low-level hood and debt collector for his uncle. Torn between being a devout Catholic and hardened Mafioso. Always a toughie.
Known Associates: His good friend Johnny Boy (Robert de Niro), a small-time troublemaker who’s racked up a gambling debt with some serious villains.
Trademark Scam: Having it away with Johnny Boy’s cousin Teresa (Amy Robinson) while no one’s looking.
Greatest ‘Hits’: More into “roughing people up” than actual hits. Though he’d do himself a favour by whacking Johnny Boy before they all end up supporting a flyover somewhere.
Nino Brown (Wesley Snipes)
As Seen In: New Jack City
Criminal Profile: Ambitious drug pusher-turned-bona fide crime lord.
Known Associates: His own crew of dealer and degenerates, the Cash Money Brothers. He’ll be disappointed when he discovers its newest recruit Scotty (Ice T) is an undercover rozzer.
Trademark Scam: Building a drugs empire from the profits of a Harlem apartment block transformed into a giant, money-spinning crack den. Like the worst Changing Rooms job ever.
Greatest ‘Hits’: His own friend and fellow gang member, Gee Money (Allen Payne). It’s a silly name, sure, but that’s no reason to shoot him.
Frank White (Christopher Walken)
As Seen In: King of New York
Criminal Profile: Self-styled good-guy gangster who wants to clean up New York and become mayor. While still making a packet on the drugs trade, obviously.
Known Associates: Jimmy Jump (Lawrence Fishburne) and Test Tube (Steve Buscemi), who set about eliminating the competition the second Frank’s out of prison and back in business.
Trademark Scams: He wants to scam the scammers by cornering the drugs marketing and distributing the profits to the poor.
Greatest ‘Hits’: Wipes out rival mobster Arty Clay (Frank Gio) for weeing on someone’s shoes. Which, to be fair, is asking for trouble.
Carlito Brigante (Al Pacino)
As Seen In: Carlito’s Way
Criminal Profile: Reformed mobster trying his best to go straight. Not easy when all your mates are gangsters.
Known Associates: His friend and lawyer Dave Kleinfeld (Sean Penn) – possibly the most crooked, dodgy-dealing, cocaine-hoovering villain New York has ever seen.
Trademark Scams: No, he really is on the straight-and-narrow these days. Though Kleinfeld is pulling scams all over the shop, which poor old Carlito can’t help but get sucked into.
Greatest ‘Hits’: Allows rival mobsters to “whack” Kleinfeld when he learns his old lawyer pal has sold him out to the feds. Seems fair.
Benjamin 'Lefty' Ruggiero (Al Pacino)
As Seen In: Donnie Brasco
Criminal Profile: Over-the-hill hitman and member of the Bonanno crime family. Looks a bit like Carlito.
Known Associates: Donnie Brasco (Johnny Depp), who Lefty befriends as brings into the family. Little does he know, Donnie’s actually an undercover FBI agent.
Trademark Scams: Attempts to take over the running of a mafia-owned nightclub in Miami, which causes tension between him and his crime boss and the usual police raids, snitching, and assassinations. Such is the life of a mobster.
Greatest ‘Hits’: He’s more worried about the one put out on his own life, after his associates discover Lefty’s new bestie mate Donnie is a rat.
Jimmy ‘The Gent’ Conway (Robert de Niro)
As Seen In: GoodFellas
Criminal Profile: Charismatic thief with an aptitude for hijacking. The kind of mobster who tips his victims for keeping their mouths shut.
Known Associates: Pint-sized psycho Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci), who’s obsessed with how funny everyone thinks he is, and Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), who eventually turns snitch and brings the whole thing crashing down
Trademark Scams: Jimmy masterminds the infamous ‘Lufthansa heist’ at JFK Airport, which pockets the gang a cool $6million.
Greatest ‘Hits’: Paranoid about getting ‘pinched’ over Lufthansa, Jimmy starts murdering his fellow gang members. Little things like whacking great piles of dirty cash always seem to come between friends.
Johnny ‘Sack’ Sacramoni (Vincent Curatola)
As Seen In: The Sopranos
Criminal Profile: New York underboss who climbs the ranks to become head of his “family”.
Known Associates: Friend and contemporary of New Jersey boss Tony Sporano (James Gandolfini). One minute the pair of best buds, the next they’re organizing hits of each other.
Trademark Scams: More of a backstage player than stick-up man, usually organizing political payoffs and shady business deals.
Greatest ‘Hits’: Once ordered the assassination of associate Ralph Cifaretto (Joe Pantoliano) for making a joke about the size of Johnny’s wife’s arse. Truth hurts, obviously.
the movies have taught us anything, it’s that the gangster is king on the streets of New York – whether he’s hustling a backroom card game, “whacking” his friends and enemies alike, or just slurping up a massive bowl of spaghetti and saying ‘Capiche?’ a lot.
So with Martin Scorsese’s classic New York crime flick Mean Streets re-released on Special Edition DVD next week, we take a look back at the city’s greatest mobters, menaces and Mafioso. Now surely that’s an offer you can’t refuse. Capiche?
Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando)
As Seen In: The Godfather
Criminal Profile: Well, he’s the Godfather, obviously.
Known Associates: As head of New York’s powerful Corleone family, he’s the most connected mobster going. That doesn’t stop rival gangsters gunning him down in the street, mind you. And he still survives. That’s why they call him the ‘Don’.
Trademark Scam: Best known for his “severed horse’s head on the pillow” calling card.
Greatest ‘Hits’: In hospital after the attempt on his life, Vito’s business affairs transfer to his son Michael (Al Pacino), who does the family proud by murdering everyone who’s ever dared cross paths with them.
Charlie (Harvey Kietel)
As Seen In: Mean Streets
Criminal Profile: Low-level hood and debt collector for his uncle. Torn between being a devout Catholic and hardened Mafioso. Always a toughie.
Known Associates: His good friend Johnny Boy (Robert de Niro), a small-time troublemaker who’s racked up a gambling debt with some serious villains.
Trademark Scam: Having it away with Johnny Boy’s cousin Teresa (Amy Robinson) while no one’s looking.
Greatest ‘Hits’: More into “roughing people up” than actual hits. Though he’d do himself a favour by whacking Johnny Boy before they all end up supporting a flyover somewhere.
Nino Brown (Wesley Snipes)
As Seen In: New Jack City
Criminal Profile: Ambitious drug pusher-turned-bona fide crime lord.
Known Associates: His own crew of dealer and degenerates, the Cash Money Brothers. He’ll be disappointed when he discovers its newest recruit Scotty (Ice T) is an undercover rozzer.
Trademark Scam: Building a drugs empire from the profits of a Harlem apartment block transformed into a giant, money-spinning crack den. Like the worst Changing Rooms job ever.
Greatest ‘Hits’: His own friend and fellow gang member, Gee Money (Allen Payne). It’s a silly name, sure, but that’s no reason to shoot him.
Frank White (Christopher Walken)
As Seen In: King of New York
Criminal Profile: Self-styled good-guy gangster who wants to clean up New York and become mayor. While still making a packet on the drugs trade, obviously.
Known Associates: Jimmy Jump (Lawrence Fishburne) and Test Tube (Steve Buscemi), who set about eliminating the competition the second Frank’s out of prison and back in business.
Trademark Scams: He wants to scam the scammers by cornering the drugs marketing and distributing the profits to the poor.
Greatest ‘Hits’: Wipes out rival mobster Arty Clay (Frank Gio) for weeing on someone’s shoes. Which, to be fair, is asking for trouble.
Carlito Brigante (Al Pacino)
As Seen In: Carlito’s Way
Criminal Profile: Reformed mobster trying his best to go straight. Not easy when all your mates are gangsters.
Known Associates: His friend and lawyer Dave Kleinfeld (Sean Penn) – possibly the most crooked, dodgy-dealing, cocaine-hoovering villain New York has ever seen.
Trademark Scams: No, he really is on the straight-and-narrow these days. Though Kleinfeld is pulling scams all over the shop, which poor old Carlito can’t help but get sucked into.
Greatest ‘Hits’: Allows rival mobsters to “whack” Kleinfeld when he learns his old lawyer pal has sold him out to the feds. Seems fair.
Benjamin 'Lefty' Ruggiero (Al Pacino)
As Seen In: Donnie Brasco
Criminal Profile: Over-the-hill hitman and member of the Bonanno crime family. Looks a bit like Carlito.
Known Associates: Donnie Brasco (Johnny Depp), who Lefty befriends as brings into the family. Little does he know, Donnie’s actually an undercover FBI agent.
Trademark Scams: Attempts to take over the running of a mafia-owned nightclub in Miami, which causes tension between him and his crime boss and the usual police raids, snitching, and assassinations. Such is the life of a mobster.
Greatest ‘Hits’: He’s more worried about the one put out on his own life, after his associates discover Lefty’s new bestie mate Donnie is a rat.
Jimmy ‘The Gent’ Conway (Robert de Niro)
As Seen In: GoodFellas
Criminal Profile: Charismatic thief with an aptitude for hijacking. The kind of mobster who tips his victims for keeping their mouths shut.
Known Associates: Pint-sized psycho Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci), who’s obsessed with how funny everyone thinks he is, and Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), who eventually turns snitch and brings the whole thing crashing down
Trademark Scams: Jimmy masterminds the infamous ‘Lufthansa heist’ at JFK Airport, which pockets the gang a cool $6million.
Greatest ‘Hits’: Paranoid about getting ‘pinched’ over Lufthansa, Jimmy starts murdering his fellow gang members. Little things like whacking great piles of dirty cash always seem to come between friends.
Johnny ‘Sack’ Sacramoni (Vincent Curatola)
As Seen In: The Sopranos
Criminal Profile: New York underboss who climbs the ranks to become head of his “family”.
Known Associates: Friend and contemporary of New Jersey boss Tony Sporano (James Gandolfini). One minute the pair of best buds, the next they’re organizing hits of each other.
Trademark Scams: More of a backstage player than stick-up man, usually organizing political payoffs and shady business deals.
Greatest ‘Hits’: Once ordered the assassination of associate Ralph Cifaretto (Joe Pantoliano) for making a joke about the size of Johnny’s wife’s arse. Truth hurts, obviously.