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John Dillinger, infamous 1930s gangster, jail breaker, bank robber and brawler, earned himself a new title on 22nd June, 1934 - when he became the FBI\u2019s first ever \u2018Public Enemy Number One\u2019.\nThe authorities were intent on disabusing Americans of their love affair with the \u2018Robin Hood\u2019-style gangsters as portrayed in the movies. But the new title didn\u2019t dissuade Dillinger\u2019s admirers from continuing to idolise his illegal pursuits.\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly trace Dillinger\u2019s career from teenage tearaway to the world\u2019s most-hunted fugitive; explain how he used his preposterous \u2018wooden gun\u2019 to escape from one of the USA\u2019s most \u2018inescapable\u2019 prisons; and reveal how, decades after his death, his relatives are still trying to claim his honour\u2026\xa0\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 John Dillinger - Public Enemy No. 1 (ThoughtCo, 2020): https://www.thoughtco.com/john-dillinger-public-enemy-no-1-104610\n\u2022 \u2018Retouching Dillinger's Reputation\u2019 (The New York Times, 2009): https://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/03/19/arts/20090319-dlillinger-slideshow_index/s/20090319-dlillinger-slideshow_slide6.html\n\u2022 \u2018How John Dillinger Went from Pesky Thief to Public Enemy No. 1\u2019 (Smithsonian Channel, 2015): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Boubgkq-6M\nBut wait - there\u2019s more! How did the FBI manage to find Dillinger, and gun him down? How did his adoring public react to seeing his corpse in the street? And has the successor to the 'Public Enemy' list, the '10 Most Wanted', helped the U.S. authorities capture more fugitives? Find out in our weekly bonus bit - only available to supporters of the show. \nSubscribe via Apple Podcasts, or visit Patreon.com/Retrospectors\nWe'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts:\xa0podfollow.com/Retrospectors\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Sophie King.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022.\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices