The document summarizes research conducted on the gangster genre in order to create an authentic gangster film. Key aspects researched include gangster conventions, common symbols and themes, and the history of gangster films. Through this research, the essential components of a good mob film were identified. Common themes included rivalry, morality, betrayal, ambition and materialism. Symbols such as money, guns, women and police were also discussed. An overview of important gangster films from the 1930s to 1990s was provided.

2. Commonly overlapped with film noir.

3. Focus on the rise to power of an organized gang, sometimes focusing on the gang's leader, as well as their fall. The message is almost always crime doesn't pay, though sometimes it focuses on their humanity making it more about a means to an end.

4. Widely regarded as the best crime films.

5. Developed around the sinister actions of criminals or gangsters, particularly bank robbers, underworld figures, or ruthless hoodlums who operate outside the law, stealing and murdering their way through life.

6. First introduced in 1932 with ‘Scarface’ starring Paul Muni and George Raft.

7. In the later thirties, the mob movies were tamer and focused on how crime never pays. A notable example is Angels with Dirty Faces. They always lead to a tragic ending for the main mobster through a fatal mistake which the police using it to their advantage.

8. In the forties and fifties the genre died down and was replaced by film noir.

9. In the seventies, there was a revival of mob films, notably with ‘The Godfather’ by Mario Puzo. It was purposefully shot with hard lighting top give it a grim feel. What made it different was their portrayal as humans.

10. Most famous example are from the late 1970’s – 1990, including ‘Scarface’, ‘Goodfellas’, ‘The Godfather’, ‘Carlito’s way’, ‘Once Upon A time In America’ and ‘Casino’. Many of these films are considered timeless classics, showing the popularity and critical acclaim of the genre at one time.

11. The tradition mob film has died out, with the latest 2007 release ‘The Departed’ showing a less grim and realistic portrayal of the mob.

13. Morality, as religion is used as a key aspect, usually used as dramatic irony or to highlight their lack of morals.

14. Betrayal, huge theme of giving up information to crime families or police. Can be to do with frustration or most commonly, will go to prison otherwise.

15. Fierce ambition, protagonist is usually full of desire, sometimes resulting in his death or attaining ultimate power.

16. Materialism, all focus on material aspects e.g. cars, represent ultimate fantasy of rags to riches.

17. Self destruction, obtain everything they desire but they become complacent and bored, leading to big downfall.

18. Evil, the protagonist can appears evil, clinical and sinister as death is portrayed as a business with no care or doubt.

19. Loyalty, undying loyalty between the mob, shown with how they consider them to be ‘family’

21. Guns, represents violence and most prevalent weapon used by gangsters, can often seem clinical and businesslike.

22. Women, used as a symbol of wealth and thus appears to be more of a possession, hardly ever true love.

23. Police, represent the law which is everything the mob hates and fights against, epitomise the ultimate enemy.

24. Grimy Locations, highlights unglamorous aspect of crime and can be used to represent that crime doesn’t pay.

25. Jail, representation of the notion crime doesn’t pay, but also can be a symbol of disloyalty. Timeline of gangster films<br />30'sScarface (’38), Doorway to Hell ('30), East is West ('30), Outside the Law ('30), Sinner's Holiday ('30), Widow from Chicago ('30), Blond Crazy ('31), Five Star Final ('31), Little Caesar ('31), Public Enemy ('31), Smart Money ('31), Taxi! ('31) Hatchet Man ('32), Crowd Roars ('32), Two Seconds ('32), Winner Take All ('32), Hard to Handle ('33), Lady Killer ('33), Little Giant ('33), Mayor of Hell ('33 ), Picture Snatcher ('33), Dark Hazard ('34), He Was Her Man ('34), Jimmy the Gent ('34), St Louis Kid ('34), Barbary Coast ('35), Frisco Kid ('35), G - Men ('35), Bullets or Ballots ('36), Great Guy ('36), Kid Galahad ('37), Last Gangster ('37), Angels with Dirty Faces ('38),Boy Meets Girl ('38), I Am the Law ('38), Slight Case of Murder ('38), Blackmail ('39), Confessions of a Nazi Spy ('39), Each Dawn I Die ('39),Oklahoma Kid ('39), Roaring Twenties ('39)<br />40'sBrother Orchid ('40), City for Conquest ('40) , Dr Ehrlich's Magic, Bullet ('40 ), Torrid Zone ('40), Manpower ('41) , Sea Wolf ('41) , Larceny, Inc ('42) , Double Indemnity ('44) Scarlet Street ('45), Key Largo ('48) , White Heat ('49), This gun for hire (‘42), I Walk Alone (‘48), Gun Crazy (‘49), Cloak and Dagger (‘46), Force of Evil (‘48) <br />50's Goodbye ('50), Vice Squad ('53), Black Tuesday ('54), Hell on Frisco Bay ('55), Illegal ('55) , Tight Spot ('55), Hole in the Head ('59), Machine Gun Kelly (‘58), Al Capone (‘59), The Big Heat (‘53), The Big Combo (‘55), On The Waterfront (‘54), The Killing (‘56), New York Confidential (‘54) <br />60s<br />Torn Curtain (‘66), The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond (‘60) King of the Roaring 20s (‘61) The St. Valentine's Day Massacre (‘67) Bloody Mama (‘69), Bonnie and Clyde (‘67) Point Blank (‘67)<br />70s <br />Dillinger (‘73), The Godfather (’72), The Godfather part II (’74), The Getaway (‘72), Mean Streets (‘73), The Seven-Ups (‘73), Badge 373 (‘73), Dirty Harry (’71) <br /> 90s<br />The Godfather, Part III (‘90), Carlito's Way (‘93), Goodfellas (’90), True Romance (1993) Natural Born Killers (1994), Reservoir Dogs (1992) Pulp Fiction (1994), Once upon a Time in America (’90), Scarface (’90), Casino (’94) <br /> <br />In conclusion, I have learnt a range of gangster conventions, themes and symbols, reinforced through learning the history of gangster films. The most prevalent themes I must include are betrayal, materialism and fierce ambition, and I have realised that these can be furthered through the use of symbols and motifs. Thus, this gangster genre research has been critical in the development of my coursework. <br />