Like the gunslinger, the gangster is a classic American characterand the gangster movie, like the Western, is one of the American cinema's enduring film genres. From Scarface to White Heat, from The Godfather to The Usual Suspects, gangland on the screen remains as popular as ever. Film scholar John McCarty traces the history of mob flicks and reveals why the films are so beloved by Americans. Packed with fascinating behind-the-scenes anecdotes, info about real-life hoods and their cinematic alter egos, insightful analysis, and a solid historical perspective, this will be the definitive book on the gangster movie for years to come. 325 pgs, hardcover, 2004