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The Formation of the 5 Families of New York

The 5 Families of organized crime in New York, also known as the Five Families of New York City, were formed in the early 20th century.

The formation of the 5 Families is attributed to Charles "Lucky" Luciano, who is considered one of the most powerful and influential gangsters in American history.

In the 1930s, Luciano, who was a prominent figure in the Italian-American Mafia, recognized the need for a more organized and structured approach to organized crime in New York City. He brought together the leaders of the various Italian-American gangs and formed the 5 Families, which were:

  • Gambino Crime Family
  • Genovese Crime Family
  • Bonanno Crime Family
  • Lucchese Crime Family
  • Colombo Crime Family

Luciano's vision was to create a more efficient and profitable system of organized crime, with each family having its own territory and specialties. He established a system of governance, known as the "Commission," which was responsible for resolving disputes and making decisions for the benefit of all the families.

The formation of the 5 Families marked the beginning of a new era in organized crime in New York City, and Luciano's leadership played a significant role in shaping the course of American Mafia history.

It's worth noting that Arnold Rothstein, who was mentioned earlier, was a mentor and associate of Luciano's, and his influence can be seen in the formation of the 5 Families. However, it was Luciano who ultimately brought the families together and established the modern structure of organized crime in New York City.

Give me the original heads of the 5 crime families in New York

Original Heads of the 5 Crime Families in New York

The original heads of the 5 Crime Families in New York, as established by Charles "Lucky" Luciano in the 1930s, were:

  • Gambino Crime Family: Vincent Mangano (1888-1951) - Mangano was a powerful and respected gangster who became the first boss of the Gambino Family.
  • Genovese Crime Family: Charles "Lucky" Luciano (1897-1962) - Luciano, who is considered one of the most influential gangsters in American history, became the first boss of the Genovese Family.
  • Bonanno Crime Family: Charles "Carlo" Bonanno (1903-2002) - Bonanno, also known as "Joe Bananas," was a Sicilian-born gangster who became the first boss of the Bonanno Family.
  • Lucchese Crime Family: Gaetano "Tom" Lucchese (1899-1967) - Lucchese, also known as "Tommy Three-Finger Brown," was a powerful and respected gangster who became the first boss of the Lucchese Family.
  • Colombo Crime Family: Joe Profaci (1892-1962) - Profaci, also known as "The Olive Oil King," was a Sicilian-born gangster who became the first boss of the Colombo Family.

These five men were the original heads of the 5 Crime Families in New York, and they played a significant role in shaping the course of organized crime in the city.

It's worth noting that the leadership of the families has changed over the years, with new bosses emerging and old ones being replaced. However, the original heads of the 5 Families remain an important part of American Mafia history.

What are the best known Mafia movies? When were they made?

Best Known Mafia Movies

Some of the best known Mafia movies include:

  • The Godfather (1972) - Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino.
  • The Godfather: Part II (1974) - Also directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.
  • Goodfellas (1990) - Directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Ray Liotta.
  • The Untouchables (1987) - Directed by Brian De Palma, starring Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, and Sean Connery.
  • Donnie Brasco (1997) - Directed by Mike Newell, starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp.
  • Carlito's Way (1993) - Directed by Brian De Palma, starring Al Pacino and Sean Penn.
  • Analyze This (1999) - Directed by Harold Ramis, starring Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal.
  • The Departed (2006) - Directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson.
  • American Gangster (2007) - Directed by Ridley Scott, starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.
  • The Irishman (2019) - Directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci.

These movies are widely regarded as some of the best and most influential Mafia films of all time, and have helped to shape the public's perception of organized crime.

Many of these movies are based on real-life events and figures, and offer a glimpse into the world of organized crime and the Mafia.

Was The Godfather based upon a true story?

The Godfather: Fact and Fiction

The Godfather, a novel by Mario Puzo and a film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is a work of fiction, but it is loosely based on real-life events and figures from the world of organized crime.

The story is inspired by the lives of several Italian-American Mafia families, including the Bonanno, Gambino, and Lucchese families. The character of Don Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando, is believed to be based on several real-life Mafia bosses, including:

  • Carlo Gambino: A powerful and respected Mafia boss who led the Gambino crime family.
  • Joe Bonanno: A Sicilian-born Mafia boss who led the Bonanno crime family.
  • Vito Genovese: A notorious Mafia boss who led the Genovese crime family.

The film's plot, which revolves around the Corleone family's rise to power and their struggles with rival families, is also inspired by real-life events, including:

  • The Castellammarese War: A bloody conflict between the Masseria and Maranzano factions of the Mafia in the 1930s.
  • The Apalachin Meeting: A real-life meeting of Mafia bosses in 1957, which was raided by law enforcement and led to a significant crackdown on organized crime.

However, it's worth noting that the film and novel take significant creative liberties with the facts, and many of the characters and events are fictionalized or composites of real people and events.

Overall, while The Godfather is not a strictly true story, it is deeply rooted in the history and culture of organized crime, and its portrayal of the Mafia and its inner workings has had a lasting impact on popular culture.