Leopold & Loeb and the crime of the century 

The speech Leopold gives after his release...if that isn't an exhibit A example of a narcissistic psychopath, I don't know what is.

Such an infuriating case because imprisonment was too good for these killers. And the nerve of Leopold saying that "I hope all of you feel that a third of a century spent in prison has been severe punishment, and are happy to see me free.".......spoken like a true sociopath.

We lived in that community in the early 1950s, less than a block away. Even though a generation had passed, there was still an aura of sadness in the neighborhood, and people still talked about the sensational and disturbing crime.

Wow 100 years. RIP Bobby Franks.

My father was seven at the time and my mother was five. This crime made their parents (they were living in Chicago at the time) turn very strict for several years after. And when I was growing in Denver in the 1950s, they were equally strict with me. Long scary memories for them.

I wrote my first ever term paper in 8th grade about this case. Definitely a disturbing story, made even more so in my opinion by the fact that the two actually considered choosing Dickie Loeb’s own brother as their victim.

It should be pointed out that they are hardly alone in American history

So creepy. It reminds me of two young women I used to work with. On their own, they seemed nice enough but when they got together they became mean, sarcastic and horrid people.

The inspiration for Hitchcock's "Rope" and Orson Welles' "Compulsion"...

They were psychopaths and the one should never have been released.

I get the shivers to think how many more creeps act on this same notion today.

I do feel for the distant relative of Loeb who's interviewed in this piece. He shouldn't feel any guilt about just having been related to Loeb, which is hardly something he could choose or control. In addition, he is doing the best he can by donating the family papers to a university where, perhaps, some day, sufficient study of cases like this one might lead to better prevention of them.

Folie à deux (French for "madness of two"), also known as shared psychosis or shared delusional disorder (SDD), is a rare psychiatric syndrome in which symptoms of a delusional belief, are "transmitted" from one individual to another. The disorder, first conceptualized in 19th century French psychiatry by Charles Lasègue and Jules Falret, is also known as Lasègue-Falret syndrome. Recent psychiatric classifications refer to the syndrome as shared psychotic disorder (DSM-4 - 297.3) and induced delusional disorder (ICD-10 - F24), although the research literature largely uses the original name. The same syndrome shared by more than two people may be called folie à trois ('three') or quatre ('four'); and further, folie en famille ('family madness') or even folie à plusieurs ('madness of several'). This disorder is not in the current, fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which considers the criteria to be insufficient or inadequate. DSM-5 does not consider Shared Psychotic Disorder (folie à deux) as a separate entity; rather, the physician should classify it as "Delusional Disorder" or in the "Other Specified Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorder" category. Source Wikipedia

The Leopold and Loeb case remains a chilling reminder of the darkest corners of human nature and the allure of committing the "perfect crime." Despite their privileged upbringing and intelligence, their heinous act shook society to its core. It's a timeless tale of hubris, arrogance, and the terrifying consequences of unchecked ambition.

I was living near Houston and a similar story happened 15 years ago. They just wanted to know how it felt to take a life.

Glorifying these two monsters! Disgusting! My grandparents told me some of the details of what they did to this poor innocent boy, torturing him as he screamed and moaned inside some large canvas bag they put him in the back seat of the car. They thrilled as they heard him cry his last breath. These were spoiled rich kids who were never disciplined by their parents and allowed to do as they please. Read about some of the killers recently whose parents let them torture animals while growing up. It's in the news. Some people never learn and should never have children.

Congratulations to Aaron Warr & production crew on the release of AMERICAN CRIMINALS FILM! This is a monumental achievement, depicting this story. We attended the Chicago premiere just last weekend and we are incredibly proud of you. Your creativity, dedication, and hard work have culminated in something truly remarkable.

Loeb's 1957 statement is quite odd: "I hope all of you are happy to see me free." Wtf?

Richard Loeb's family owned Castle Farms mansion in Charlevoix MI, where I lived for almost 20 years. There's still a road with the name Loeb, there to this day.

Two can be much more dangerous than one! They egg each other on to worse and worse deeds! Neither one feels they can back down because they will disappoint the other! Any hesitation is immediately pushed through!

Chilling! Not much different from some of the murders that occur today. Poor Bobby Franks and his family.

So thankful I could be a part of the film American Criminals! It was put together so well. American Criminals is a beautiful movie depicting this exact story in an intimate, comedic, serious & in depth sense.

There's a great 1959 film, "Compulsion", based on this case.

Thank You CBS and Erin Moriarity. This ecellent 100 year report should be part of the hx record at NU. I first read of this case 40 years ago when I read the commentary by Clarence Darrow. It was bone-chilling then as it is now, same as capitol punishment.

There’s a movie called American Criminals coming soon to streaming. It’s based on the book 99 years plus life based on Leopold’s life. Can’t wait for it

Wait, you’re telling me rich kids are horrible people? I’m shocked.

I saw the play "Never the Sinner" some years ago. It was really a great show about a dreadful, senseless crime.

I can appreciate the fact that we need to better understand these kinds of criminals. However, it’s almost like we’re honoring their memory, and celebrating them. I want to know more about the victim and less about these murderers. I find it utterly disgusting that they kept a pair of their eyeglasses. I mean for what? What are we doing here? Idk, maybe I’m wrong. 🤷🏽‍♀️

They (Bobby and Loeb) were second cousins. That is not distant and they lived across the street from each other. They played tennis together on the Loeb's property many times.

Had the most memorable time attending the premiere of American Criminals, the story based on Leopold and Loeb, last weekend in Chicago. All cast and crew attended, including myself as I had a two small parts in the movie. Met everyone involved and was honored to be among some very fine talent. Soon to stream. #americancriminalsmovie

What troubles me about high profile, true crime cases such as Leopold and Loeb is that the media and others spend so much time profiling the suspect that the victim or victims are virtually forgotten. Of course, this isn’t always the case. In recent times the murders of individuals such as George Floyd and Matthew Shepard placed the victim’s name front and center. But in many other cases, the suspect ends up getting more press attention than the victims. The danger with that is that the individuals who commit such horrible and senseless crimes become celebrities in their own way, with some even gaining a following. I have read that right up to his death, Charles Manson, for example continued to receive “fan mail” while in prison. And on more than one occasion, planners and perpetuators of mass shootings have stated they were “inspired” to commit their crimes from Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, the Columbine High shooters. We, as a society, are putting people up on a pedestal who don’t deserve it. Killing an innocent person or persons doesn’t make you a “cool” person. It simply means you’re a heartless killer and there should be nothing “cool” about that.

Back in the 90's I saw a chilling stage production (play) about these two murderers.

The motive has never been in question. They did it to prove that they were smarter than everyone else, inspired mostly by Nietzsche's "superman" theory.

The movie American Criminals just premiered in Chicago this past weekend that is based on the book Life Plus 99 Years by Nathan Leopold. It's Leopold's first hand account of the events characterized as the Crime of the Century. Looking forward to seeing it.

This is so fascinating..

The fool didn't realize his eyeglasses were missing ?? Gee, how BRILLIANT

I grew up in Hyde Park, a few blocks away from the Franks house. I recall it being a daycare at some point. Then empty and dilapidated. This was in the late 70’s.

The distance between the Harvard School for Boys and Bobby Franks' home is at least three blocks, possibly 3 and 1/2 blocks, depending on how you figure it, how extensive the playground area adjacent to it was, and above all, where exactly the baseball game that Bobby was umpiring took place (since he departed for home directly from the game, before it was finished). The place where the killers tried to hide Bobby's body was not a trainyard, but an undeveloped area near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana, where Leopold had led bird-watching expeditions. A single set of railroad tracks crossed the area, running above the culvert (drainpipe) in which they placed his body.

My eighth grade teacher during the late sixties told us about the case and urged us to read Compulsion. Compulsion was a page turner, but I could not continue reading it. The Leopold and Lieb characters in the book were just too evil. Sixty years later, I still have the desire to finish reading the book.

I hear there is a movie called American Criminals coming out this summer about this the trailer looks good.

My Father was a prison Guard at Statesville prison in Illinois and said Leopold was a model inmate

"American Criminals" is an excellent film. It tells the story of Leopold and Loeb. The two young college students who in 1924 murdered a 14 year old boy with the idea that they would never be caught. The film is compelling, very well done and absolutely worth seeing.

When they showed us the box on the table I gasped. I knew immediately it was the glasses. I am shocked the glasses still exist.

Not only were Richard Loeb and Bobby Franks cousins but their fathers were or had been vice president of Sears Roebuck and Company.

Did I hear that right he said people want to be like them I don't want to be like that

I saw American Criminals, the indie feature. Very impressive. You get to understand (not sympathize with) the main characters. Excellent performances.

One of them went to Puerto Rico,his father was rich,so no problem,for him,he stay there until his dead.. shame

There is a radio play of Rope with Alan Rickman that I believe you can find on RU-vid. Rope is a good movie, underrated in my opinion. But it based on the English play of the same name.

By sheer coincidence, I watched Hitchcock’s “Rope” last week. Of course, it’s a marvel of filmmaking, but the story (based on this story) is sick and psychopathic. It’s disconcerting to see James Stewart among the fine cast. And please, this isn’t a forum for film reviews.

Pyschopaths

Go figure...I found out about one of my thespian friends starring in the upcoming film, and then Sunday Morning covers it! 🎉

Wealth privilege and Brylcreem

American Criminals is the new film about the crime and it is the first to address the men by their real names of Leopold and Loeb and it is based on the book written by Nathan Leopold Life Plus 99 Years

I went to Northwestern University. I h8t3d the school. It was cold and mean, overpriced, fiercely competitive, yet poorly geared to teaching... or learning... anything. My girlfriend at the time worked babysitting one of those little university libraries. As an A+ student, I became so homesick and depressed by the place, I hotwired an abandoned car, making several trips across town to fetch tools all through the night from my girfriend's apartment... fixed the car and got it running, and that morning we left and drove cross country in a stolen car ala Thelma and Louis. It was epic. Later that summer we went to Europe on her Guranteed Student Loan. I never went back, and refused ever to return to any college. Northwestern is truly truly the worst school ever, and Chicago is a cold, unfriendly, dirty city.

Your reporter’s name is Erin Moriarty?

Omg .. just seen the NEW Movie Premier of this in Chicago: American Criminals , directed by Aron Warr. A MUST SEE. *Great cast.. intrigues you into this complex tragidy.

Watch the PBS documentary, stories

Pure evil....that's what it was

Good forensics for 100 years ago.

Should be made into a movie!!! This is a crazy story of narcissist psychopathy.

I never seen anybody with a unibrow like that

*They did it for love.* Leopold and Loeb wanted a lifelong bond that would last through marriage and life's trajectories, and of course - they could never reveal this motive _(their ages and good looks say it all)._ One or both longingly gaze at the other in every image.

How could they possibly parole that guy?

_'Compulsion'_ (1959) movie

So how old was Leopold when he died ? The report didn't say.

Crazy.

Didn’t they both read Nietzsche?

What happened to Leopold after he was released from prison

The marketing comments about “American Criminalsl” are very obvious

Evil in the world. The young men were on a trip to hell...

Both Leopold and Loeb came from wealthy Jewish families. This is shocking because of the proscriptions that their religion placed on crimes of a cold-blooded nature. But Leopold was fascinated by Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of "supermen" (Übermenschen), seeing them as advanced individuals with extraordinary capabilities, whose superior intellects allowed them to rise above the rules that bound the average populace. This attitude was clearly a part of the boys' indifference to the immorality of their action. Why is this not mentioned?

I have read a lot about this case and have seen the movies. “Compulsion,”made in the late 50s, is the best telling of the story. They escaped the death penalty simply because they came from wealthy families.

Regarding the relationship between Leopold and Loeb it's curious how the word homosexual is avoided, clearly they are concerned about offending people which is sort of ridiculous.

The story that inspired Alfred Hitchcock's "Rope"

* Movie COMPULSION dramatized this true story but with fictional names. The 2 killers in Alfred Hitchcock's ROPE were inspired by Leopold & Loeb.

8:40pm

What was the manner of homicide?

06:11 "sex weaker than Loeb" *Boom, roasted*

Eventually there is justice for these fiends. At least I hope so

Is that the original reporter doing the interviews?

It is not a mistery, it is Psychopathy.

Folie a deux.

The “crime of the century”?! By which metrics was this determination made?

Im surprised they didn't blame a Black person.

When this happened?

They look old af to be teenagers

The movie Compulsion.

So we’re they sociopaths?

Northwestern! Go Cats! 💜

They couldn't find a random child, so they settled for ones relative.

Freddy Nachos

4:17 this doofus is touch these letters without gloves?

It remains a mystery, only because you are too frickin sensitive to tead the full confession.

Too many things to say. I feel horrible for the young victim Bobby. I wish more of this story was about him. Yes, rich people do horrible things to this very day. Jan 6 coup attempt is the first thing that comes to mind.

Another pair of geniuses who got caught because they couldn’t keep track of their belongings.

The crime of the century? That would the LIndburgh kidnapping.

VERY VERY odd that their sexuality was not mentioned.

Was the victim S.a'd?

A blameless 14 year old boy. Wow. One aspect of the crime that's never discussed...because people are afraid of being called antisemitic...is how these two wealthy Jewish men felt this young boy, from a Christian Science family, was just not their equal. These revoltingly snobbish men. They should never have been given their freedom.

My Great-Grandmother was the Leopold family’s maid. 😉