Bonnie & Clyde
The notorious Depression era gangsters Bonnie and Clyde met their end over eighty years ago on May 23, 1934. An even more bizarre time warp (to me) is that the Warren Beatty / Faye Dunaway movie is almost fifty years old. Stories and productions romanticize Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, and their story does hold fascination. During the few short years of their crime spree, the lawless duo and their gang performed violent, heinous deeds. Here are some things about Bonnie and Clyde you may not know:
The Barrow Gang is thought to have killed thirteen people, most of them law enforcement officers.
The gang robbed banks, but their favorite targets were small gas stations and grocery stores. The take was usually paltry.
Bonnie often drove the getaway car or stayed home rather than going inside with a gun.
Bonnie and Clyde were from Texas and died in Louisiana.
They each remained close with both their families and visited them often.
Bonnie was a small woman, 90 pounds and just under five feet tall.
She posed with guns to bolster her tough image but never really cottoned to them or mastered their use.
She also posed with a cigar but wasn’t a cigar smoker, although she and Clyde did smoke Camel cigarettes.
Bonnie liked whiskey—remember it was bootleg at this time—and swearing.
Clyde didn’t drink much but was known for having a hot blooded temper.
He was a musician, playing the guitar and saxophone, and before turning to crime Bonnie had sung in school productions and at local events.
She enjoyed reading movie magazines and dreamed of being on the silver screen.
She wrote poetry, songs, and stories.
Bonnie and Clyde were set up by one of their gang members and ambushed by the law amid a storm of deadly bullets. She died at 23, he at 24
One of her poems ends like this:
Some day they’ll go down together; And they’ll bury them side by side; To few it’ll be grief, To the law a relief, But it’s death for Bonnie and Clyde.
Legendary outlaws Bonnie and Clyde are remembered as part of the bleak, hardscrabble culture of the 1930s. It’s always disturbing to see young people turn to criminal activities that cause harm to others. Society still has so many problems to solve, doesn’t it? What do you think of Bonnie and Clyde or of the 1930s in general?
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Romance
I remember the Beatty/Dunaway movie, but it’s been so long since I’ve seen it. There’s something about this period in history that has an allure despite the hardness and the violence. It’s so sad that these two people took to this kind of existence, but their legend has lived on with a mystique like so many gangsters of that time period. A very enlightening post, Flossie. I learned a lot I didn’t know about these two infamous people!
Yes, the era does have an allure for me too. The only thing I can say is at least they stuck together. Thanks for commenting, Mae.
Interesting info!
I’ve heard about them but, form the details you gave us here, it’s clear that the myth of the romantic couple in stylish clothes who broke the bonds of convention is far from reality. A pity for their wasted lives and a pity they robbed those small owners who struggled for their existence. Far from the Robin Hood type of outlaws.
The only Robin Hood type vibe I get is that when they were in the gravy they shared the money with their families. They always stayed close with their families.
I remember the house where they lived, it had bullet holes in it. Somewhere near where we grew up. You probably know. Congratulations on winning the Most Informative Blog Award. Well deserved. Thanks so much for posting interesting stuff.
Just a nomination, but thank you, Kay! I appreciate your commenting.
Fascinating. I have always loved Bonnie and Clyde stories
Me too, thanks, Cathy.
Like Mae I remember the movie. I recall being fascinated by the sad story of Bonnie & Clyde. Fabulous you got the award, Flossie, congratulations.
It’s just a nomination, Daisy, but thank you.