Eliot Ness: Untouchable

This episode of Biography offers the true life story of the man behind the myth. Eliot Ness, touted as the man who brought down Al Capone during Prohibition, was actually the product of the media and his own embellishment. While he did play a role in the government's plan to topple Capone, he is not the man, nor was his agency, the ones to do so. The U. S. Treasury Department caused the downfall of Capone by indicting him for income tax evasion, leading to the demise of Capone and his empire. Eliot Ness: Untouchable explores the real Eliot Ness, and the myth that would eventually devour its creator. This Biography would be helpful for classes on American History and Culture, Civics, and Journalism. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• Prohibition
• bootlegger
• crusader
• egotist
• penitentiary
• scruples
• speakeasy
• tax evasion

1. The media nicknamed Eliot Ness's crew "The Untouchables." Why did the media use this name? What is meant by "untouchable."

2. Eliot Ness was one of many government agents. Why was there so much glory surrounding him and how did his actions take on mythic proportions?

3. Eliot Ness was a government agent who enforced the law of Prohibition, known as the Volstead Act. Yet, he was know to take a drink himself even though it was against the law. How do you reconcile these actions?

4. Many people in the 1920s felt that Prohibition was not a "good" law, and that it was somehow OK to violate it. Do people have the right to violate laws they find "bad?" Who gets to decide if a law is "good" or "bad?"

5. Eventually, the myth of Eliot Ness and Al Capone became a source of pain for Eliot Ness. How did this myth hinder Ness's personal life and his professional life?

6. Although the Capone story is of mythic proportions, there are many accomplishments in Eliot Ness's career that are true. As police chief of Cleveland, he was responsible for the drastic drop in crime and auto accidents. But when he ran for mayor, he was defeated by a landslide. Why did the city of Cleveland turn its back on Eliot Ness?

7. At the end of his life, Eliot Ness was an alcoholic. Discuss the irony of this situation, given that he began his career as a Prohibition agent.

8. From Al Capone to John Gotti to The Godfather, Americans are fascinated with organized crime figures. What is it about organized crime and mobsters that Americans find so enthralling?

1. Research the Volstead Act and write an essay explaining the reasons why the United States added an amendment to the Constitution prohibiting the sale and manufacture of alcohol.

2. Imagine that you are a FBI agent and you have been assigned to investigate the crimes of a famous gangster (you can choose any gangster in history you wish). Using primary resources such as newspaper articles for your information, create a diary in which you record the actions of your suspect for a designated time period.

3. Create a 1930's style poster that supports Prohibition. Alternatively, create a poster opposed to this legislation.

4. Make a chart comparing the personality traits of an effective law enforcement agent and a strong figure in organized crime. You may use Ness and Capone specifically, or the general chracteristics of these "types". What do they have in common? What separates them?

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