Underworld Histories

Las Vegas is famous for having the brightest lights and dirtiest cash. Its rise and fall is told first hand by Howard Hughes’ CEO Robert A Maheu, Casino Mastermind Frank ‘Lefty’ Rosenthal, Former Mob Associate Frank Cullotta and FBI agents Joseph Yablonsky, and Dennis Arnoldy.

By the end of the 20th century, the Philadelphia mafia is in big trouble. For two decades, the rules and traditions which for almost a century held together the darkest and most sinister organisation in America, have been slowly unravelling; and nowhere more so than on the streets of South Philadelphia.

Miami in the 1980s: playground of the rich and famous; America’s premier tourist spot. But behind the fun in the sun, bad guys battle in the streets. The prize: control of a massive cocaine industry. At stake: billions of illicit dollars. Yet these are not Mafia hit men. They come instead from Cuba and South America. And they catch the cops by surprise. This new breed of Mobster will turn the US underworld upside down; and change the face of Miami forever.

Montreal is Canada’s second biggest city – and its most colourful. Its geographical location, historical connection with France and language also made it the ideal criminal intermediary between North America and Europe. This programme explores how the Mafia and then biker gangs took advantage of the city’s underworld and how since the 90s forged a business relationship unlike anywhere else in the world.