Al Capone's Scarface: The Shame Of The Nation

Scarface: The Shame of the Nation was released in 1932. Loosely based on Al Capone, Scarface tells the story of the rise and fall of a great gangster. The screenplay was written using newspaper articles for inspiration, the novel Scarface by Armitage Trail, and the actors and events depicted in the movie correlated with events from the early 20’s. The films portrayal of the gangsters embodied the ruthlessness of these people. Due to the graphic nature and representation of the gangsters the film cause controversy within Hollywood. Many changes were made before its final release to meet the approval of the MPAA, Motion Picture Association of America (Dirks Scarface Web). The film was not incredibly popular at the time of its release because

The Time Magazine described the film as having “the dynastic sweep of an Italian-American “Gone with the Wind’” (Malta Web).The movie begins with a call for revenge and follows the acts of the Corleone family. Don Corleone, the head of the Corleone family, is the mafia boss known as the Godfather. In the opening of the film, we are introduced to an image of a clean cut respectable man, as the leader of this large crime family. In the opening scenes Corleone is approached by Bonasera and Jonny Fontane for help because as we quickly realize, Corleone is a powerful man. The movie is infused with family values, adequately demonstrating the strict code of conduct followed by crime families. The films focus on loyalty and values softening the image of these corrupt smugglers and killing “business” men. Coppola and Puzo were effective in creating a “good guy” image for the Corleone family gaining the audiences support for the characters. The strength of the family is central to The Godfather, as Coppola said "I always thought of The Godfather as the story of a great king with three sons. The oldest was given his sweet nature and childlike qualities; the second, his passion and aggressiveness; and the third, his cunning and coolness.”. (Malta Web). The Godfather has had lasting success because along with the crime of the family, the plot traces the “journey from immigration

Gambino was a small man who did not have the appearance of a powerful mob boss as did Marlon Brando, the actor for Don Corleone. He was, however, smart and quick. Gambino was cutthroat and had the ability to remain ahead of his competitors. He was also known for his willingness to create bonds between families, which is paralleled in Corleone’s character (Bruno Gambino Web). Puzo pulled from Costello the raspy voice and the model for the family business (IMDb Web). Costello was a “low key executive-style mobster” known as the “prime minister of the underworld”(Bruno Offer Web). A combination of styles, motives, and values from Costello and Gambino were added to Don Corleone’s character, creating the powerful mob boss audiences have grown to