On November 2 nd, 2007, Universal Studios will release “American Gangster”, a film about the life of the infamous Harlem drug lord, Frank Lucas. With Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in the lead roles, this film also features a solid supporting cast. This film, while it focuses extensively on Luke’s drug-dealing operation, will also highlight some pretty sharp differences in the work ethic of both Richie Roberts (the detective responsible for bringing Luke down) and American Gangster himself.
Frank Lucas’ story is both fascinating and terrifying. Despite the fact that the teachers and screenplay writers do a lot of research to ensure that the truth of the characters and situations are put in place, there are just some details that the movie has to ignore. By the way, here are some things you might not know about the legendary Frank Lucas…
#1 – “Cordary Connection”
Frank Lucas was best known for his clever way of transporting illegal drugs into the country. In the suitcases of deceased Vietnam veterans returning to the United States, Lucas hid 100 kilos of heroin. . He decorated his pockets with false bottoms, carried the heroin so that it would not slip while being transported, and certain drugs in the pockets of the elders (so as not to arouse suspicion).
#2 – In Million Dollar Man
It is estimated that Frank Lucas earned up to $1 million dollars a day selling heroin on the streets of Harlem. He was known to sell medicine in the streets.
#3 – The last artist left
Despite being sentenced to 70 years in prison in 1975 for his drug dealing efforts, Lucas only served 6 years before being released on condition of helping police arrest over 100 drug lords. (After a short time he was again arrested for drug trafficking).
#4 – Reading, Writing, Arithmetic…< /b>
Frank Lucas began his life of crime shortly after the murder of his cousin Obadiah by the 12-year-old Ku Klux Klan for watching a white woman in North Carolina . When he arrived in New York in 1940, he was already illiterate and used his talent to win over others.
#5 – Heir to the throne
Luke took in the famous gangster “Bumpy Johnson” (Ellsworth Raymond Johnson) after Johnson was killed in 1968. The character Bumpy was portrayed by actor Laurence Fishburne in two different movies (“Cotton Club” and “Hoodlum”)
#6 – “Nellybelle”
Frank Lucas was the ultimate gangster, owning many luxury cars including a Corvette Sting Ray, and also a Royce. However, when they explored, Lucas was leaning on an old dilapidated Chevrolet that he named “Nellybelle”. In addition, he often disguised himself with sunglasses and a false beard.
#7 – Blue Magic
In the early 1970s there were various “brand” drugs that could be bought on the street. Lucas’ “sword” was called Blue Magic, which always sold quickly because it was at least 97 percent pure heroin, unlike the fact that other dealers did.
#8 – Friend Champ
Frank Lucas was a close friend of the famous heavyweight boxer, Joe Louis (also known as “Bromber”). He even once paid a $50,000 tribute for Lucas is said to have wept helplessly on the phone after his friend, Ludovico, died.
#9 – The Henry Kissinger Operation
Lucas admits that he once dropped 125 kilos on the plane of Nobel Peace Prize winner Henry Kissinger, paying $100,000 in prizes and cooking a flight that he knew.
#10 – Dipping into a Cookie Jar
After being caught in a raid in 1975, Lucas claims police stole between $9 and $10 million dollars, compared to the $585,000 police say he collected at his residence in Teaneck, New Jersey. I also incorrectly passed the lie detector test that is also federally administered in this manner.
