Like sharks to blood in the water, the mob arrived in Hollywood greedy and ready to tear away huge chunks of cash. Opportunistic mobsters saw labor unions as the means for muscling into the movie industry and extorting millions of dollars from studio bosses. Control the unions to which projectionists, art directors, cinematographers, electricians, scene designers, stagehands, extras belong, and you control the whole industry.
Painting colorful portraits of numerous mobsters, producers, actors, and directors, Tinseltown Gangsters tells the gripping, fast-paced, true story of corruption and greed in Hollywood throughout much of the twentieth century.
Jeffrey Sussman is the author of 16 books, six of which have been published by Rowman and Littlefield, including Sin City Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in Las Vegas and Big Apple Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in New York. Jeffrey lives in New York City.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Joseph Kennedy: The First Shark
Chapter 2: Bugsy Siegel: Dream City Gangster
Chapter 3: Mickey Cohen: Little Tough Guy
Chapter 4: Willie Bioff: Solid Gold Extortionist
Chapter 5: Handsome Johnny Rosselli: Smooth as Silk
Chapter 6: Harry Cohn: White Fang
Chapter 7: Thelma Todd: The Death of the Ice Cream Blonde
Chapter 8: Sidney Korshak: The Outfit’s Fixer in Hollywood
Chapter 9: The Cotton Club Murders
Chapter 10: Lords of Pornography
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
Among the many rackets the mob pursued, controlling the movie industry in Hollywood was one of the longest lasting, starting with Ben "Bugsy" Siegel paving the way for other mobsters like Willie Bioff and Mickey Cohen.
For years, Hollywood has been fascinated by the world of the mafia, but until now, there really hasn’t been a comprehensive look at what role the mob actually played in Hollywood’s formative years. Jeffrey Sussman’s masterpiece changes all that. In vivid detail that’s as well researched as any history book but as captivating as any crime novel, Sussman provides an in-depth look at some of the biggest names in the underworld, Hollywood, and politics, and how those areas so often seemed to intersect with one another. This book is required reading for anyone seeking an answer to the questions of How did Hollywood get this way? or What happened to the mob?
— Frank Morano, nationally syndicated radio talk show host and the host of “The Racket Report” podcast
Tinseltown Gangsters is not just a captivating page turner, but also a valuable historical account that exposes behind the scenes insights into the movies, its scandals and the entertainment industrys long standing involvement with organized crime. Sussmans heavily researched dive into this hidden world is a testament to uncovering the sordid, behind the scenes business of the movie world. This book is a gem for both true crime enthusiasts and Hollywood aficionados alike. Highly recommended.
— Robert A. Santucci, Esq., former chief of the Rackets Bureau, Office of the District Attorney of Bronx County; and special assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Public Corruption Unit. Mr. Santucci prosecuted numerous members of organized crime, many of whom had relationships with celebrities.
In Tinseltown Gangsters, Jeffrey Sussman reveals the dark secrets of the American mafia and the Hollywood film industry. With meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Sussman exposes the mob’s influence over the stars, the studios, and the scandals of Tinseltown. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of crime and cinema.
— Gary Jenkins, producer/host, Gangland Wire Crime Stories podcast
Jeffrey Sussman presents a riveting picture of the most degenerate, immoral characters in the movie industry, included are the sexual behavior of actors and executives, along with their relationships with members of organized crime over numerous decades. Tinseltown Gangsters is concise and well done. Bravo to Mr. Sussman!
— S. M. Chris Franzblau, former federal prosecutor and criminal defense attorney for alleged organized crime figures and professional boxers, in a career that has spanned more than 50 years
Tinseltown, implying a shiny, soft place, was an easy target for organized crime. Jeffrey Sussman again takes us on a harrowing journey, showing how gangsters preyed on the soft targets, big and small, in Tinseltown, USA.
— Joseph Giannini, Esq., former criminal defense attorney for members of organized crime and retired captain of the U. S. Marines Corps
Jeffrey Sussman has established himself as one of the premier writers on La Cosa Nostra and organized crime. Tinseltown Gangsters is another opus that enhances this reputation.
— Ron Chepesiuk, author Bad Henry: The Murderous Rampage of the Taco Bell Strangler and other books, two-time Fulbright scholar, and host of the podcast, Crimebeat
