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"Havana Nocturne" bibliography notation.
#652503
06/21/12 01:40 AM
06/21/12 01:40 AM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 839
Elmwood Park, Illinois
YoTonyB
OP
Neighborhood Guy
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OP
Neighborhood Guy
Underboss
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 839
Elmwood Park, Illinois
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I'm reading Havana Nocturne by T.J. English and it's a good read! I bought the book primarily because of his willingness to document his sources by footnoting virtually every factual statement made throughout the entire book. Whether or not his sources are reliable is a discussion for another day...
One of the more compelling stories involves Frank Ragano who was visiting Santo Trafficante in Havana in 1958. Ragano was Trafficante's attorney and later authored the book "Mob Lawyer." Trafficante took Ragano to one of the live sex shows that just happened to feature the real-life "Superman", famously showcased in GFII when Fredo arranges a night on the town for his brother Michael, Sen. Geary and others in Havana.
According to the book, "Ragano asked if he could use his Super-8-millimeter camera to film the show. Using existing light, the lawyer captured Superman on film. The finished product is grainy and dark, but in a room surrounded by paintings of nudes, Superman's appendage is on display. He and the women followed the same routine as before. It is the only known footage of Cuba's most renowned sex performer from the era of the Havana Mob."
And according to the footnotes, "Footage of the famous Havana sex performer -- made by Frank Ragano in 1958 -- was viewed by the author on March 1, 2007, in Tampa, courtesy of Chris Ragano, Frank Ragano's son."
In the acknowledgments, T.J. English indicates that he viewed other 8-millimeter home movies taken in Havana by Frank Ragano. Presumably the footage isn't entirely of the sex clubs...and it would be an interesting glimpse into late-1950's Havana if the footage is any good.
I have not read Ragano's book. Does anyone know if he mentions the existence of the "Superman" home movie in his own book?
Also, if you were T.J English and you were on the way to Chris Ragano's house to see home movies like this...do you pick-up a pizza and beer?
tony b.
"Kid, these are my f**kin' work clothes."
"You look good in them golf shoes. You should buy 'em"
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Re: "Havana Nocturne" bibliography notation.
[Re: YoTonyB]
#652588
06/21/12 06:06 PM
06/21/12 06:06 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 578
danielperrygin
Underboss
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Underboss
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 578
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Re: "Havana Nocturne" bibliography notation.
[Re: YoTonyB]
#695972
02/12/13 01:15 AM
02/12/13 01:15 AM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 282
Nuevo Mexico
Vigil
Capo
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Capo
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 282
Nuevo Mexico
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I want to read that soon. Is Jack Ruby mentioned in it?
*** il capo di tutti capi ***
"You'll never meet another guy like me if you live to be 5, 000." -John Gotti
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Re: "Havana Nocturne" bibliography notation.
[Re: YoTonyB]
#696060
02/12/13 02:17 PM
02/12/13 02:17 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 211
ScottD
Made Member
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Made Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 211
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I'm reading Havana Nocturne by T.J. English and it's a good read! I bought the book primarily because of his willingness to document his sources by footnoting virtually every factual statement made throughout the entire book. Whether or not his sources are reliable is a discussion for another day...
One of the more compelling stories involves Frank Ragano who was visiting Santo Trafficante in Havana in 1958. Ragano was Trafficante's attorney and later authored the book "Mob Lawyer." Trafficante took Ragano to one of the live sex shows that just happened to feature the real-life "Superman", famously showcased in GFII when Fredo arranges a night on the town for his brother Michael, Sen. Geary and others in Havana.
According to the book, "Ragano asked if he could use his Super-8-millimeter camera to film the show. Using existing light, the lawyer captured Superman on film. The finished product is grainy and dark, but in a room surrounded by paintings of nudes, Superman's appendage is on display. He and the women followed the same routine as before. It is the only known footage of Cuba's most renowned sex performer from the era of the Havana Mob."
And according to the footnotes, "Footage of the famous Havana sex performer -- made by Frank Ragano in 1958 -- was viewed by the author on March 1, 2007, in Tampa, courtesy of Chris Ragano, Frank Ragano's son."
In the acknowledgments, T.J. English indicates that he viewed other 8-millimeter home movies taken in Havana by Frank Ragano. Presumably the footage isn't entirely of the sex clubs...and it would be an interesting glimpse into late-1950's Havana if the footage is any good.
I have not read Ragano's book. Does anyone know if he mentions the existence of the "Superman" home movie in his own book?
Also, if you were T.J English and you were on the way to Chris Ragano's house to see home movies like this...do you pick-up a pizza and beer?
tony b.
I live near and talk with Chris Ragano for time to time and I still forget to ask to see them. I might email him today. PIzza and Cigar City beer (local brewery) Frank mentions it briefly from what I recall.
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Re: "Havana Nocturne" bibliography notation.
[Re: danielperrygin]
#696063
02/12/13 02:23 PM
02/12/13 02:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 211
ScottD
Made Member
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Made Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 211
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How is "Sally Burns" completely mssing from the book? Thom Jones says he was "the mob's point man in Cuba", if that is true how is he missing from thie book. I know he was one of the owners of the racetrack. I would argue that Granello was but one of many mob figures with financial interests in Havana and not a majorly significant figure. Among his interests in Havana was a cigar concession at the Sevilla Biltmore.
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Re: "Havana Nocturne" bibliography notation.
[Re: EastHarlemItal]
#696064
02/12/13 02:24 PM
02/12/13 02:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 211
ScottD
Made Member
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Made Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 211
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Thought it was a great read!
This English is almost as good as that Silent Don author! LOL. One of the cooler things that happened as a result of my books has been becoming friends with TJ English, a HUGE influence on my writing.
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