Dalton Trumbo Biography

Salvatore Lucania was born on November 24, 1897 in Sicily, Italy; almost ten years later, he began a new life of crime and prosperity in New York City’s lower east side. Upon arrival, he could not speak english; he bullied the other kids into paying him for protection and participated in drug dealing. One day, Lucania was abducted, beaten, stabbed, and left for dead; miraculously, he survived. This rather fortunate recovery led him to become known as Lucky Luciano (“Lucky Luciano Biography.com.” Edited by Biography.com, The Biography.Com website, A&E Television Networks, 17 June 2015, www.biography.com/people/lucky-luciano -9388350). In 1916, he became the leader of the Five Points Gang and continued to make a name for himself. During these early years, Luciano was in and out of jail-- mostly for getting caught dealing drugs.

He is also portrayed as being more than a ruthless criminal only seeking to destroy his enemies with the use of bullets. In the novels he is a father, grandfather, and husband that loves his family deeply, coming home at the end of a workday to spend time with them. This is what makes him more human and possibly even adding complexity to his character. In fact, he had hoped his son, Michael, would have taken on the life of a politician rather than one of a member of the Mafia. It isn’t until his son, Sonny, dies that he gives power to Michael as he had stepped up to protect his father when he was shot.

Saving Private Ryan is a movie that generates strong responses from most people that see it. While interviewing four individuals and reading three movie reviews, I found that each of my subjects would recommend it, not one of the individuals interviewed felt the violence was senseless, and all of them left the movie with a strong emotional response of some kind. It appears that Saving Private Ryan is the kind of movie to which many can relate.

Renee Zellweger (Roxie Hart) gave a truly believable performance. I really felt her drive to become a performer when watching the movie. Her dance numbers were incredible, and I really did enjoy watching her in the film. Catherine Zeta-Jones was wonderful in her supporting role as the highly successful showgirl turned murderer Velma Kelly. I felt that she earned her Academy Award for this role. Richard Gere gave a strong performance as the ace attorney Billy Flynn.

While the movie’s interpretations aren’t perfect and parts of it are works of fiction, the core story and beyond are accurate. The representation of reasoning for desertion, the way that they achieved the Free State of Jones, and how even black members were put down after the war by the state government leads this film to being a true

His rags to riches life represents many ideals associated with the American Dream, but through his illegal actions he is the opposite of a dream. He achieved his status through gang violence and sale of illegal substances (The Income Tax Law is a lot of Bunk). These illegal actions began as a result of Italian oppression in Chicago where Capone lived for a majority of his life (Corsino). In an article pertaining to the start of organized crime, “Italians in Chicago heights experienced an abiding social, economic, and political discrimination” (Corsino). The isolation of a social group forces them to find an outlet to success. The success of crime groups in the 1920s does not correlate with initial violence due to it being inefficient for running illegal operations (Corsino). Instead of initial violence Italian crime groups manipulated the sale of illegal substances, which created successful ventures. In relation to Capone, society was set up for his success after prohibition and Italian

The only thing that I can say wasn’t accurate from a historical perspective was the story of Benjamin and his sons. I don’t believe there was actually a man named Benjamin in the Revolutionary War that carried the reputation of being the “ghost” of the rebellion. I also don’t believe that he found his true love and was married during the Revolutionary War. I also don’t think there was any type of persistent conflict between him and the British leader Tavington historically. Other than the personal life and stories of Benjamin in the movie, I believe there is nothing else incorrectly depicted in the movie from a historical

Facts were dismissed in court, their rights under the first amendment were violated. They all refused to testify and they were sentenced to serve time in federal prison. The court stated that the movie industry became a powerful  platform that could have the potential to influence Americans to think differently.  Although none were convicted of an actual felony, they were put into the blacklist, which deprived them of making a living and made them targets for harassment. The blacklist did not only affect Trumbo, it targeted hundreds in Hollywood. Teachers, soldiers and government workers were among those who suffered and lost work. The list did not stop Trumbo and friends, their talent continued to spread they continued writing under different names, “Robert Rich”  the name that Trumbo used and won an award for best film for “The Brave

In The Gangster Squad, the squad means to protect the people of Chicago, but to protect the people of Chicago The Gangster Squad must go up against and subdue the crime boss Mickey Cohen. The movie The Gangster Squad shows a very accurate portrayal of the historical events which had transpired, the only difference between the movie and history is the how Mickey Cohen’s personality is portrayed.

How does the film shown reflect the time in which it was made, and satirise American stereotypes, views, and society?

“Now the truth of the matter is that there are a lot of things people don’t understand. Take the Einstein theory. Take taxes. Take love. Do you understand them? Neither do I. But they exist. They happen.” ― Dalton Trumbo. Dalton Trumbo was on the hollywood blacklist and in jail but he did not stop writing and his famous book was written in jail. While Trumbo was trying to make it as a writer in Los Angeles he got a job at night wrapper at a bread bakery to help him make him make enough cash while he started selling his work. He held his bakery job for nearly a decade,from 1925 to 1934 he diligently wrapped bread at night and worked during the day.

After some bad moments in her acting career, Melissa McCarthy returned with a fresh, new look. Her acting was also on point throughout the whole movie, she does not over exaggerate her acting, which is pretty common in these types of movies, which was something I really enjoyed. But for me, the person who made an outstanding job on the acting was Jason Statham, who usually does not show a funny side of him. He is usually portrayed as a fighter/murderer in movies, so it was great to see a new side of him, which he did splendidly. It just shows how good of an actor he really is.

Trumbo creates a sacred place, far from the realities of the real world when he describes the campsite that Joe and his father venture to every year. This peaceful place is removed from civilization, and the background noises of rushing water and falling pine needles add to the serene atmosphere. This special place characterizes the sacred bond shared by Joe and his father. This bond is echoed by the beauty and tranquility of the campsite they go to. It is untarnished, and untouched by harmful forces, and reaches heavenly heights, as it it nine thousand feet

“American Gangster” is based on the true story of Frank Lucas’ life. It is the story of how he cut out the middleman in the heroin business and the story of how Ritchie Roberts caught him. Throughout the film we see the parallel between a cop and a criminal as we inch forward to see their lives finally meet.

Johnny Got His Gun was written by Dalton Trumbo in 1938 but was not published until late 1939. Johnny Got His Gun won The Most Original Book of 1939 which is a National book award. This book was set during World War I. The book itself is fiction but was based off a Canadian man who lost all of his limbs and senses to a bomb blast. Trumbo first heard about the Canadian man when he read an article over the Prince of Wales arranging a visit to meet the wounded soldier at a Canadian veterans hospital. Trumbo was not only an author of American history but American history himself. Trumbo was born in Montrose, Colorado on December 9, 1905. He was married to Cleo Beth Fincher. He also had three children, two daughters and one son which included, Christopher Trumbo, Mitzi Trumbo, and Nikola Trumbo. Trumbo’s work was greatly influenced by social issues going on in the world. He was a successful author and screenwriter resulting in him being one of the highest paid film writers in the business. Some of his other books and movies include Spartacus, A Man to Remember, Lonely are the Brave, Kitty Foyle, and many others. Trumbo was blacklisted during the McCarthy era and became the most famous member of “The Hollywood Ten”. Unlike many celebrities blacklisted during the McCarthy era Dalton Trumbo was in fact a communist. Trumbo was brought before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947 and refused to answer their questions which resulted in him being jailed. For thirteen