It wasn't until the 1900's that the Italian American Gangster stereotype began to emerge.
The Italian American Gangster archetype entered cinema round the time Prohibition was introduced to the USA. With the ban on Alcohol in place members of the criminal underworld took advantage and began producing and bootlegging 'hootch'
The US Government were keen to crack down on bootlegging and when they caught those responsible they made examples of them in the media. The majority of the criminals demonised by the state and media were of Italian American descent and as a result, crime (in particular organised crime) was intrinsicly linked to Italian American people.
During Prohibition criminals like Al Capone aka. ScarFace, became public figures and were even idolised by some groups in society. The government saw him and his kind as a threat and ensured that anyone of Italian American desent was seen as a potential criminal.
Hollywood took this demonisation to another level with films such as Little Ceaser (1930) ScarFace(1932) and Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)
These films portray Italian Americans as dangerous criminals with little concern for others.
Obviously the public accepted these representations and took them as real.
Ever since Italian Americans have been marginalised in Hollywood and forced to reinforce the old 'Mobster' Stereotype.
For those researching this project area for their FM3 Coursework option, YOU MUST research the history of Italian Americans in the USA if you are to appreciate HOW and WHY the'Mobster' stereotype came in to existence and is still used today.
The following links / articles should be enough to get you started:
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