GANG BUSTERS: The Crime Fighters of American Broadcasting John Cassavetes * The popularity of crime

* The popularity of crime shows and the 1948 boycott against Gang Busters

– OTRCAT

Jack Packard

Although they were assigned to New York’s fictional 53rd precinct — a run down area of the Bronx not generally considered a hotbead of hilarity — they always seemed to encounter more comedy than crime

Pigskin Romances

GANG BUSTERS: The Crime Fighters of American Broadcasting John Cassavetes * The popularity of crimeWhen Phillips H. Lord created Gang Busters in January of 1936, crime was so rampant that it was almost tolerated. Obedience to the laws and respect for law enforcement agencies was at a low ebb. Criminals and their methods were highly publicized in glamourous episodes. Lord had just finished his G Men series that dramatized FBI case files and wanted something with more action and appeal to radio listeners. He created Gang Busters. At first, Lord