Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller was no stranger to the spotlight. Born on May 21, 1904, in Harlem, New York, Waller became a towering figure in the jazz and swing eras, known for his electrifying performances and pioneering work in the Harlem stride piano style. His compositions, including “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “Honeysuckle Rose,” are timeless classics, […]
On January 10, 1952, an event steeped in grandeur and divine reverence unfolded in Rome. Pope Pius XII blessed two gold crowns encrusted with 500 diamonds and other precious stones. These opulent symbols of faith, destined for the Regina Pacis Votive Shrine in Brooklyn, were not merely artifacts; they were beacons of hope and devotion
The Dark Tale of the Regina Pacis Robbery and the Shadows of Joe Profaci Read More »
On a grim autumn night in October 1954, the shadow of judgment loomed over Albert Anastasia as the Newark courtroom pulsed with tension. Presided over by the stern Honorable Alfred E. Modarelli, the trial began, cloaked in the dry technicalities of tax law. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frederick B. Lacey delivered a mechanical dissection of finances—gross
A Doorbell to Doom: Anastasia’s Wrath and the Disappearance of the Ferris Read More »
102-11 Queens Blvd. in Forest Hills September 22, 1966 What’s the big f’in deal, huh? Families go out for a fancy dinner every damn night, and that’s the perfect opportunity to handle some business, you know what I’m sayin’? Discussing our D&D – differences and smoothing out any friggin’ difficulties. And now the cops got
La Stella Restaurant Read More »
So here’s how it went down, see? April 15, 1931, a sunny afternoon in Coney Island. Giuseppe “Joe the Boss” Masseria, big shot from Sicily, walks into his favorite joint, Nuova Villa Tammaro, for some cards and seafood. This guy started climbing the mob ladder soon as he hit New York in 1902. By the
Murder at the Nuovoa Villa Tammaro Restaurant: The Hit on “Joe the Boss” Masseria Read More »
The Rise and Fall of Little Augie Pisano: Unveiling the Unfold Chronicles of Organized Crime In the shadowy annals of organized crime during the mid-20th century, the name Anthony Carfano, or “Little Augie Pisano,” looms large as a symbol of power, ambition, and the tumultuous underbelly of the Luciano crime family. This comprehensive exploration seeks
ST. VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE: MY AL CAPONE INSPIRATION – THANK YOU, MR. DE NIRO He owns the telephone from Capone’s Miami Beach home – the one that supposedly received the call from Chicago before and after the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in 1929. He owns one of the bricks from the infamous wall.* He owns a couple
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ROSE MARIE: AT HOME WITH “UNCLE AL” A CHILD SINGING STAR, ROSE MARIE MET THE CHICAGO CRIME BOSS AL CAPONE IN 1931 Even hardened gangsters have a soft spot for adorable little girls. Rose Marie found that to be true with the notorious Al Capone, whom she remembers as “Uncle Al.” Most people remember Rose
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DEAN O’BANION, BUGS MORAN AND THE ST. VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE Movies have a peculiar way of inspiring people to do things they’ve never considered before. Author Rose Keefe explained how a movie started her on a path of becoming a renowned expert of 1920s crime and its colorful players. What inspired you to write
DEAN O’BANION, BUGS MORAN AND THE ST. VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE Read More »
THE ACTUAL TOMMY GUNS USED IN THE ST. VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRECOMMISSION TRIAL LIFTED THE LID ON THE NEW YORK MAFIA Hours after the Massacre in the Clark Street garage, Major Fred Silloway’s statement that he would “have the killers that night’ hit local and national newspapers. But as hours turned into days, and days
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