Gangsters have grown to occupy a mythological place in American culture. Like the nineteenth century outlaw legends of the old Western American frontier, tales of gangster lore continue to ignite public imagination; they live as inextinguishable bonfires illuminating the darkest caverns of the collective consciousness. The tragic cinematic epic of the Godfather, and the televised melodrama of the Sopranos, have served as psychological keys unleashing the darkest fantasies locked away in the Pandora’s crypt of America’s collective id.

In keeping with the prevailing philosophy that the concept of history represents nothing more than a scripted stage play, one felt an examination of America’s twentieth century gangster mythology was in order, and the story of J. Edgar Hoover, one of America’s most legendary crime fighters, shall figure prominently in this latest installment. Though the fact Hoover was a character played by a host actor shall not surprise loyal readers here at Newsspellcom.org, the premise put forth in explanation of the reason for the creation of gangland mythology, and the true identity of the seemingly larger than life character of Hoover, shall no doubt surprise many. Continue reading “Actors in history’s grand stage play (part XV)” →