Even in the present day, there are plenty of people from all walks of life who are enamored with mobsters. I don't know why some people are surprised, but I even know of a situation where someone got the all-star treatment because he looked like a mobster. Whether you like it or not, Hollywood has effectively glorified the mafia
No way they have been glorified by Hollywood, they have been torn apart by movies. Goodfelllas was one big F.U. to gangsters. The rats get glorified.
