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Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
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By Gina Vivinetto
Published April 13, 2005
I have long held a theory that rapper Snoop Dogg is largely influenced by Judy Garland and her old Hollywood cohorts. That's right, Judy Garland, sweet little Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz . The puckish teen from those movies with Mickey Rooney .
My friends ridiculed this notion.
Until last year when we were at a club shaking our tails to Snoop's Drop It Like It's Hot. I was validated. I could prove once and for all that Snoop straight up robbed my girl Garland. The gist of Drop It is that folks need to stay cool. Whether it's our friends, a lover, or authorities getting us tense, WE CANNOT LOSE OUR SHIZZLE:
When the pimp's in the crib, ma
drop it like it's hot
When the pigs try to get at ya
Park it like it's hot
If a nigga get an attitude
pop it like it's hot.
In fact, have a drink, "pour some Sean Don," Snoop advises, smoke something, get happy.
"Doesn't this remind you exactly of When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You) -- the song Garland sang in her famous 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall?" I asked my club pals. All immediately nodded.* I belted out:
If you suddenly find out you've been deceived
don't get peeved
If your husband bluntly tells you you're too stout
don't you pout
And for heaven's sake retain a calm demeanor
When a cop walks up and hands you a subpoena
Garland, goes on, like Snoop, to party away the pain. Drink, revel. She sings:
Forget your troubles, have yourself a little fun
have a ball, forget it all!
Forget your troubles, come on, get happy!
Garland, of course, partied too hard, popping amphetamines and barbituates like they were M&Ms. An accidental drug overdose in 1969 killed her at 47. Did Garland's drinking and drugging influence young Snoop?
More likely it was 1940s screen scoundrel Robert Mitchum. The notoriously lidded-looking star of Night of the Hunter and Cape Fear had already lived the hobo life, working on a chain gang, smoking dope and running with playas and shady ladies for years. As an actor, Mitchum now had dough for good times. But, the LAPD had its eye on him. In 1948 two narcs busted a Los Angeles party and hauled brother Bob to jail. (Fans cheered his release two months later).
Why criticize Snoop -- or any rapper -- for running around with gangstas and guns? Many Hollywood stars had ties to the underworld. Frank Sinatra was a mob beloved, scoring early gigs through Mafia connections and being buddies with Lucky Luciano.
However, gangsta rappers today -- when asked -- will tell you they find inspiration in one pivotal Old Hollywood playa. The most bad-assed bitch to ever whack a thug and walk.
That's little Cheryl Crane. Crane was just 14 years old in 1958 when her mom, screen star Lana Turner was trying again to break up with her gangster boyfriend Johnny Stompanato. Crane got fed up with hearing Stompanato telling Mom in the bedroom that he would "cut her good" if she dumped him. So, Crane did what any dutiful daughter would do. She went to the kitchen, got a 10-inch carving knife, went upstairs, pounded on the door until Stompanato stormed out and she stabbed him in the chest. He died in a fit of bloody gurgles.
As far as Snoop's $25 million lawsuit accusing him of rape? Three words: in like Flynn. Swashbuckling screen legend Errol Flynn was charged with raping two underage girls in a sensational 1943 trial. (He was such a notorious womanizer the "in like Flynn" phrase had already been coined in his honor.) An all-female jury acquitted charming Flynn and he became even more popular at the box office.
UPCOMING: More connections. R. Kelley 's obsession with Charlie Chaplin : Did Kelley's love for the silent screen star compel him to seek underage dates? (Though we're pretty certain Chaplin didn't, you know, tinkle on his.)
* An unlikely scenario at best. What are the odds my friends are schooled in the music of both Snoop Dogg and Judy Garland?
[Last modified April 15, 2005, 14:07:19]
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