I'll Stop the World and Melt with You: Joe Colombo Jr.
Summary
This episode details the absurd 1968 scheme by Joseph Colombo Jr. to illegally melt down silver coins for profit, a crime that led his father, Mafia boss Joe Colombo Sr., to found the Italian-American Civil Rights League. The hosts explore how this civil rights front was used to protest the prosecution and subsequently intimidate the production of *The Godfather* through pickets and threats. The story culminates in a chaotic courtroom scene where Colombo Sr. slaps a prosecutor, resulting in an acquittal for his son despite the ridiculous nature of the underlying crime.
Topics discussed
Intro and Ad Breaks
Dick Van Dyke's Hot Dog Macaroni Salad Recipe
History of Coin Melting and the Pittman Act
Joe Colombo Sr., The Mafia, and Coin Melting Scheme
Ad Breaks
The Chaotic Courtroom Trial and Verdict
Ad Breaks
The Italian-American Civil Rights League and The Godfather
Ridiculous Takeaways and Listener Talkback
Outro and Final Ad Breaks
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