|
Posts:
1
Registered:
6/2/05
|
|
(1 of 6)
Jun 2, 2005 10:42 AM
|
Yesterday, 1 June 2005, I watched the program "The Godfathers." It was one of the worst examples of history I have seen in a long time. As someone who has been researching the Mob for over 20 years, someone who has traveled the country going through archives, special collections, old newspapers, and conversing with relatives of long-dead Mafia leaders, I was appalled at the bald assertions and fabrications in the show.
Examples of historical errors abound: Vito Cascio Ferro was not the mastermind of the early Mafia, and there is doubt that he was ever a member, based on the testimony of informants. Salvatore Maranzano never worked for Cascio Ferro. Cascio Ferro did not organize and network the various American crime families. By the time Cascio Ferro immigrated to the USA, there were already crime families in New Orleans, St. Louis, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, New York and San Francisco; and they regularly communicated with each other. There are many more errors I could point out, but I think that is sufficient for now.
This program should have utilized a fact-checker or a researcher with a good background in history in general and the history of organized crime in particular. I have enjoyed the shows on the History Channel for a long time, but to watch a show like this seriously undermines its credibility, especially on topics I am less familiar with. I hope when a program on the Mafia is shown on the future, it will be more accurate. "The Godfathers" was atrocious.
Rick
|
|
|
Posts:
1
Registered:
7/24/05
|
|
(2 of 6)
Jul 24, 2005 4:28 PM
|
Watching this program left me with the feeling that it was not well done or researched with regard to the Mafia itself and its associated entities. Some of the facts did not seem to be true from past knowledge.
Of particular note is one totally false statement that the Mafia was associated with any legitimate Masonic Lodge.
Masons and their associated bodies give many millions of dollars per day to charity including our Shrine Children's Hospitals. 13 of the 16 Signers of the Declaration of Independence were Masons as were George Washington and most of the Presidents of the United States. The Boston Tea Party was planned and organized in the Masonic Lodge at Tremont St. on Boston Common.
Your faulty research refers to a criminal group[s] in Italy that illegally expropriated the name and title "Masonic Lodge". This group was composed of criminals who posed as Masons as a cover for their criminal activities for which they were ultimately arrested and convicted.
Get your facts right before you slur the good name of an honorable organization that has supported our country since before it existed.
Publicly retract this erroneous claim on the site where it was made and note the true facts so that people are not misled.
James A. Haigh, PM
Granite Lodge #26 AF&AM
|
|
|
Posts:
20
Registered:
1/7/06
|
|
(3 of 6)
Jan 7, 2006 9:57 AM
|
They re-ran the subject program on Jan,6,'06. I agree it was horrible. Aside form the mentioned inaccuracies in the facts, it was the poorest constructed timeline of any history program I have ever viewed. I too agree with the concerns regarding credibility in areas in which I possess less knowledge. I have seen incorrect statements made in subjects that I am considerably more knowledgeable about regarding frontier history, but these statements usually are in areas that are "murky" to begin with. However, mafia history is a reasonably traceable timeline. In addition to the inaccuracies, huge gaps in the rise of several individuals were present. In example, the ascension of "Lucky" Luciano. For such a pivotal point in mob history the incidents leading to his rise of power were but a footnote.
Comments,,
Randy
|
|
|
Posts:
1
Registered:
5/21/06
|
|
(4 of 6)
May 21, 2006 3:55 PM
|
|
Does anyone know of where I could find a picture of the "L" flag, like the one that the guy held at WWII? I need it for a history project.
|
|
|
Posts:
60
Registered:
9/29/05
|
|
(5 of 6)
May 23, 2006 11:43 AM
|
|
I enjoyed the show, but remember that my Mob knowledge has been gained from the novel "Wiseguy" and its movie counterpart "Goodfellas", the movie "Casino", and two of Henry Hill's books! Thanks for the enlightenment on the inaccuracies. Even false info can be interesting if one doesn't know better!!!
|
|
|
Posts:
1
From:
Kansas City
Registered:
7/6/08
|
|
(6 of 6)
Jul 6, 2008 7:26 AM
|
|
During the views of the maps of the United States, the pinpoint for Denver is way North of where it really is. It's surprising that something so simple would slip, seeing as you view the map multiple times throughout the program.
|
|
|
|
|
