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Scope Note:

Fictional work telling a crime story concentrating on the lawbreaker, utilizing his point of view, often portraying and glorifying his rise and fall. The criminal may be either an individual or part of a gang; their rivalry with other criminals is as significant to them as their concern about police apprehension. Gangsters are often excessively ambitious, materialistic, street-wise, and immoral, and suffer from megalomania and various complexes that help lead to their destruction; they fail to understand that they are living an inversion of the dream of wealth and success, and are doomed to failure. Feature examples: ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES; BONNIE AND CLYDE (with Biographical); DARK MANHATTAN (with Ethnic); THE GODFATHER (with Adaptation); GOODFELLAS; HIGH SIERRA (with Adaptation); LITTLE CAESAR (with Adaptation); MANHATTAN MELODRAMA; MARRIED TO THE MOB (with Comedy); THE PUBLIC ENEMY; SCARFACE; WHITE HEAT. TV examples: BLOOD VOWS: THE STORY OF A MAFIA WIFE; THE DON; THE GANGSTER CHRONICLES; GANGSTERS; LADY MOBSTER; OUR FAMILY BUSINESS.

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