Organized Crime's Long History in Hollywood Film Industry

A new three-part documentary series, "Hollywood Crime Story: The Mob Takes Over the Movies," sheds light on the long-standing connection between organized crime and the film industry. According to the series' producer and director, Tom Patterson, the presence of organized crime in Hollywood dates back to its inception. This assertion is supported by historical evidence, which reveals that inventor Thomas Edison employed thugs to intimidate competitors in the early days of motion picture technology. This aggressive tactic forced many of Edison's rivals, primarily Jewish businessmen from the East Coast, to flee to the West Coast, where they eventually established the foundation of the Hollywood studio system.

These early film pioneers, including pioneers such as Carl Laemmle and Adolph Zukor, would go on to build some of the most iconic studios in Hollywood, laying the groundwork for the industry's growth and success. However, as the series "Hollywood Crime Story: The Mob Takes Over the Movies" highlights, organized crime's influence on the film industry did not stop there. In the decades that followed, notorious mob figures such as Meyer Lansky and Bugsy Siegel became increasingly involved in the Hollywood scene, using their power and influence to shape the industry and profit from its success.

The series' exploration of organized crime's role in shaping the film industry serves as a fascinating and often disturbing look at the darker side of Hollywood's history. By examining the complex and often fraught relationship between crime and cinema, "Hollywood Crime Story: The Mob Takes Over the Movies" offers a unique perspective on the evolution of the film industry and the individuals who helped shape it.