John Dillinger may have been "Public Enemy No. 1" in 1933 and '34, but Americans didn't reflexively hate him, and this hour explores reasons why as it chronicles his 14-month bank-robbing spree. Dillinger "represents a rebellious impulse that many people in the Great Depression had good reason to feel," says Tom Doherty, one of the historians interviewed. Morever, "he was a charming guy," says another, Claire Potter. The hour also features a grandnephew of Dillinger and Alston Purvis, the son of Melvin Purvis, the G-Man who finally caught up with the Public Enemy.
Episode 10 of Season 14 from American Experience — available to stream in HD on any device.
Join the conversation
Sign in to leave a comment
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!
Recommended
WWE: Unreal
When Missing Turns to Murder
911: Did The Killer Call?
Last Night Out
Naming the Dead
Mean Girl Murders
Receiver
Formula 1: Drive to Survive
The Yogurt Shop Murders
SEC Football: Any Given Saturday
Search for movies, TV shows, collections, manga, or people
Trending Now