Recommended reading - Little Caesar by W.R. Burnett (1929 & 1981):

Little Caesar

By W.R. Burnett.

ASIN: B0012363AA

Published by Dial.

Published 1929.

Hardcover.

First edition.

Description:

Rico is a small, pale man, but he has guts, endurance and a steely single-mindedness. When Vettori sends the gang out to rob a local nightclub, Rico shoots a cop who pulls a gun on him. They get away, but Vettori is shocked. He had told Rico, no gunplay. That’s when Rico realizes that Vettori has gone soft. He’s too old to control the gang anymore. So Rico takes over. With the faithful Otero at his side, the rest of them quickly shift their allegiances. Now the world is Rico’s. It’s his gang, and he’s calling all the shots. But there is always a weak link, someone who’s ready to spill when the bulls get tough. And sooner or later the nightclub killing is bound to catch up with him.

Little Caesar

By Gerald Peary.

Edited by Tino Balio.

Published by University of Wisconsin Press.

Wisconsin / Warner Bros. Screenplays.

Published 1981.

First edition.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 029908454X

ISBN-13: 978-0299084547

Description:

Little Caesar, a 1931 Hollywood gangster classic, is viewed in revivals today with nearly as much audience enthusiasm as it enjoyed a half-century ago, in the depths of the Great Depression.

In general, the Hollywood film industry responded to the dark economic conditions of the 1930s with escapist and non-topical films. The fascinating exception was the gangster film, through which the studios joined in the debate over the spiritual and economic health of the nation. Little Caesar, considered by many to be an architype of the genre, is one of the most memorable dramatizations of the discontent and alienation, the deep anxiety and hostility shared by millions of Americans during those dark years.

Jhumpa Lahiri, on writing:

The first sentence of a book is a handshake, perhaps an embrace.

Style and personality are irrelevant.

They can be formal or casual.

They can be tall or short or fat or thin.

They can obey the rules or break them.

But they need to contain a charge.

A live current, which shocks and illuminates.

- Jhumpa Lahiri.

On this day in television history - Justified (2012):

Justified

Season 3. Episode 2.

Episode entitled: Cut Ties.

Released January 24, 2012.

Directed by Michael Watkins.

Written by Graham Yost, Benjamin Cavell, Nichelle Tramble Spellman, Ingrid Escajeda, Ryan Farley and Jon Worley.

Based on the short story Fire in the Hole by Elmore Leonard.

Music by Steve Porcaro.

Cast:

Timothy Olyphant, Nick Searcy, Joelle Carter, Jacob Pitts, Erica Tazel, Natalie Zea, Walton Goggins, Mykelti Williamson, Jeremy Davies, Clayne Crawford, Michael Harding, Damon Herriman, Frank John Hughes, Bonnie Root, Todd Stashwick, Lenny Citrano, Demetrius Grosse, Cleavon McClendon, Carla Gugino, Justin Cuomo, Rachel Eggleston, Mel Fair, David Fernandez Jr., Peter Gantenbein, Derrick L. McMillon, Hector Atreyu Ruiz, Maura Soden.

On this day in movie history - La Notte (1961):

La Notte

aka The Night,

directed by Michelangelo Antonioni,

written by Michelangelo Antonioni, Ennio Flaiano and Tonino Guerra,

was released in Italy on January 24, 1961.
Music by Giorgio Gaslini.

Cast:

Marcello Mastroianni, Jeanne Moreau, Monica Vitti, Bernhard Wicki, Rosy Mazzacurati, Maria Pia Luzi, Guido A. Marsan, Vittorio Bertolini, Vincenzo Corbella, Ugo Fortunati, Gitt Magrini, Giorgio Negro, Roberta Speroni, Valentino Bompiani, Roberto Danesi, Umberto Eco, Giansiro Ferrata, Giorgio Gaslini, Alceo Guatelli, Odile Jean, Ottiero Ottieri, Salvatore Quasimodo, Ettore Univelli, Eraldo Volonté.

On this day in television history - M Squad (1958):

M Squad

Season 1. Episode 18.

Episode entitled: The Long Ride.

Released January 24, 1958.

Directed by David Rich.

Written by Merwin Gerard.

Music by Stanley Wilson.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Joe Maross, Nancy Hale, Benny Baker, Ann Morrison, Tiger Fafara, Frank J. Scannell, William Lally, Gordon Mills, Frank Sully, Clark Howat, David Gorcey, Don Blackman.

Born on this day – Kip Anderson:

Kip Anderson

Blues singer

Pianist

Songwriter

January 24, 1938 – August 29, 2007

Credits:

Music:

A Dog Don't Wear No Shoes (1992); A Knife and a Fork (1993); Blue Moon / Unchained Melody (1967); Frozen Heart / Abide in Me (1969); I Can't / I'll Get Along (1965); I Could'a Been Sleepin' / He Never Left Me Alone (1989); I Feel Good / I Will Cry (1961); I Get Carried Away / Here I Am, Try Me (1965); I Wanna Be the Only One / Making Tracks (1959); I Wanna Be the Only One / The Home Fires Are Brighter After All (1959); If That Don't Make You Cry / Without a Woman (1966); Jesus Sings with Me (Part 1) / Jesus Sings with Me (Part 2) (1988); Letter From my Darling / Watch You Work it Out (1968); Oh My Linda / 'Til Your Love is Mine (1960); Take It Like a Man / A Knife and a Fork (1967); Tell Her I Love Her / Woman How Do You Make Me Love You Like I Do (1965); That's All I Can Do / I Went Off and Cried (1968); That's When the Crying Begins / I Done You Wrong (1964); You'll Lose a Good Thing / I'm Out of Love (1967); Your Sweetness Is My Weakness / A Dog Don't Wear No Shoes (1992).

Born on this day – Coleman Francis:

Coleman Francis

Actor

Writer

Director

January 24, 1919 – January 15, 1973

Credits:

The Dirtiest Game (1970); Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970); Body Fever (1969); The Lemon Grove Kids Meet the Monsters (1968); The Last American Hobo (1967); P.J. (1967); Red Zone Cuba (1966); Motorpsycho! (1965); The Thrill Killers (1964); The Skydivers (1963); Tales of Wells Fargo (1961); The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961); The Rifleman (1961); Spring Affair (1960); Cimarron (1960); The Jailbreakers (1960); From the Terrace (1960); The Man and the Challenge (1960); M Squad (1960); Tombstone Territory (1960); Goodyear Theatre (1960); Highway Patrol (1959); Dragnet (1957–1959); T-Bird Gang (1959); The Book of Acts Series: The Old Testament Scriptures (1958); Twilight for the Gods (1958); Stakeout on Dope Street (1958); The Book of Acts Series (1957); Sergeant Preston of the Yukon (1955–1957); The Phantom Stagecoach (1957); Burden of Truth (1957); Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (1955); This Island Earth (1955); Killers from Space (1954); She Couldn't Say No (1953); Scarlet Angel (1952); The Girl in White (1952); Leadville Gunslinger (1952); The Tattooed Stranger (1950).