This 2023 documentary: Kennedy, Sinatra and the Mafia It’s all old news. It really doesn’t bring anything new to the table. Director David Harvey introduces the connections and “crossovers” that have been known for years.
What a waste of time and energy.
Although not much effort was put in
This documentary is the cinematic version of a scrap article. It seems someone watched the more inclusive documentary Vegas: Sin City Stories and had an idea.
You can’t think of Las Vegas without immediately thinking of Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack, John F. Kennedy and the mob. The Mafia almost started the Las Vegas seduction. Bugsy Siegel, Lucky Luciano (who also promoted the idea of gambling in Havana, Cuba) and a long list of Mafia members who preyed on casinos.
Wayne Newton, Paul Anka and Showgirls
Vegas “old guy” Newton, Anka and Canadian comedian and impressionist Rich Little join a small group of showgirls to tell it all. Great stuff, but, this has all been said before.
Wayne Newton has spent almost his entire life in Vegas, but he looks disturbingly plasticky. His face was motionless and his eyes were too wide. Of the three “Las Vegas Legends” who appear here, Anka is the only one who looks natural. He doesn’t look his age, but he looks natural.
Apparently, these stories, pushed by Vegas celebrities, lend themselves to a Frank and Kennedy documentary.
Back to Sinatra and Kennedy
The second episode of “Vegas: Sin City Stories” focuses on the Rat Pack, Sinatra’s obsession with JFK, and the gang’s relationship with Frank. *To be fair, you can’t get into the entertainment industry as a performer unless you work for the mob. They own most, if not all, of the clubs where these singers, comics, etc. are honored.
In those days, it was the only way for a performer to progress. Anka, Little, Newton, Sinatra, Martin and others all knew capos, wise men and hitters. It’s all part of the scene and the workplace.
This is common sense.
Judy Campbell
Campbell was a woman shared by at least three men. Campbell was Sam Giancana/Frank Sinatra/maybe Dean Martin’s mistress and serial playboy JFK’s new interest. Here is the link, or more accurately, she is the link between the mob and the newly elected president.
In the words of the documentary, Campbell was “an elegant lady.” She indeed is. There are many stories about Judith Campbell Exner. One story is that after breaking up with Giancana, Judy hid her memoirs under her bed.
Insurance against being murdered in your sleep.
FBI Director J Edgar Hoover learned of the sexual relationship and immediately launched an attack.
Campbell claimed to be a middleman; taking orders from the CIA and the Mafia, among other things. The mission was to assassinate Fidel Castro. Someone whom the mob disliked very much.
Hoover forced Kennedy to “break up” with Sinatra.
waiting for something new
Don’t wait for new content to come out before reading this. This story of a mafioso hanging out with the White House doesn’t make a difference for us. All of this “backstory” is old news.
Back in 1991, Peter Lawford’s biography of James Spada told the story of the helipad and the sledgehammer. It also revealed that the president stayed with singer and actor Bing Crosby when he came to town. He also wrote much about the Mafia and Campbell’s love triangle.
It’s all old news.
Hoover ended the friendship between Sinatra and Kennedy. As a result, Frank brutally removed Peter Lawford from the rat pack. Only Sammy Davis Jr. sided with “the least talented guy in the group.”
assassination
Growing up, that was a thing. “Do you remember what you were doing or where you were when Kennedy died?
I remember it very clearly. I was five and a half years old. We live in Sacramento, California. We are right next to a military base. The cartoon is replaced by a report of Kennedy’s visit to Dallas. When I was younger, I often complained about the lack of animation on television. My mom told me to basically get over it and go out and play.
A woman on the base went door to door telling us the president had been shot. I don’t remember my parents’ reaction. Yet what they sat on the lawn and drank was grasshoppers.
that old conspiracy theory
Kennedy, Sinatra and the Mafia An old theory was put forward that organized crime, also known as the Mafia, was responsible. It raises the question of Lee Harvey Oswald firing bullets in so many seconds, and so on.
The show doesn’t give us old-timers anything new. However, this documentary is a great starting point for young people who may or may not be interested in these ancient news items.
The assassination of John F. Kennedy remains a hot topic today. There are many books on this subject.
a good start
For anyone interested, this is a great place to start. The story, in a nutshell, is about the Mafia and the murder of a president, alongside a famous performer that might interest the viewer to search for more information.
Judgment
I have to give it 2.5 stars out of 5. However, people who are unaware of the Kennedy assassination may find this a welcome introduction. The show is streaming on Apple TV+.
Relevant
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