by Lou Rountree

Created on: July 01, 2007

Just as there was a time of Camelot, there was a time of Hollywood in all it's glory.
The impact it has had on the world could be compared to a meteorite the size of Hawaii colliding with earth. But, Hollywood has spent the energy in small doses over it's history. Early on, they specialized in comedy and it was beneficial to all. Next, Hollywood zeroed in on the cowboy hero's. This too, was beneficial as the guys with the black hats usually met their demise. The guys with the white hats got the girl.

Paralleling the social conditions in the United States the movie makers discovered the gangster and mafia criminals and began to glorify them to the public as a pit bull owner would give testimonial to his beloved cur. Did not matter that he ate a guy. Did not matter that citizens were collateral damage along with targeted opposition of the Dillinger's, Baby Face Nelson, Al Capone and the bunch.

Times were tough in these days and there were plenty of shady characters around to mimic. The public was also to blame as they took the Dillinger types to be Robin Hoods. This was their outlet from the days of the great depression and a chance to, for once, not have to follow the eight to five routine and the strict rules of law. These movies were clearly their break out from the demanding routine.

Unfortunately, the influence of the movies also had their impact on the producers, the actors, the writers and movie land personnel. Movies have a much greater impact when given in ocular presentations and sound manipulations than most other media. Even to the influence upon their creators. The trend in Hollywood was to hire ex convicts, ex gangsters and mafia members to lend authenticity to the movies. Also, the movie group, especially the producers and actors got to emulate the bad guys that they admired. Herein, lies one of the main prime movers for the gross bad effect of Hollywood on the world. Hollywood never outgrew this fascination with the mafia and gangster types. The result has been a long repetitive presentation of the God Father, God Father II, etc., Scar Face, and the modern day Soprano movie and TV presentations. So much so that they have grossly influenced our citizenry to becoming cop haters in a time when all law enforcement personnel should be commended. Of course, there is always a bad apple or two, and those who have the Hollywood gangster influence, amoung the law enforcement personnel. The net result is a disrespect for the law of the land among many of our

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