Mob Movie Monday "Kill The Irishman" Review | Michael Franzese | Danny Greene Irish Mafia 

This guy was a legend for us Irish workers in Cleveland. When everyone else spat on us with stereotypes and atrocious Union conditions, he literally took to the streets to fight for a fair wage for us. This movie still remains a classic for me and my family

Kill the Irishman is a great movie. It never got the credit it deserved until today.

Danny had a tough reputation didn't back down. Made Irish guys proud.

My grandfather was a Cleveland police officer at the time and had arrested Danny Green. He said he wasn’t even in booking for 10 minutes until his bosses came from downstairs and released Danny Green back onto the street. He was pissed to say the least.

Just noticed that the union boss is the same actor that plays the Warden in Shawshank

What lent itself to the legend of Greene seemingly being invincible was that he believed he was driven by the spirit of a Celtic Warrior.

Ray Stevenson played a great Danny Greene, being an Irishman himself. May he rest in peace!

Nice Mike Danny Green was unreal, he really had a true warrior spirit. They don’t make guys like this anymore.

A couple of things about this movie. My grandmother grew up in Collinwood with Danny Greene, she said that while he was a juvenile delinquent and usually in trouble, he was always polite with her an her sisters. As far as getting the union presidency goes, he was already working with Nardi at that point so it's possible Nardi went to the boss at the time and talked Danny up for the presidency, knowing he'd still let them do whatever they wanted in the container yard. Also the actual biker story is even more insane. What Danny actually did was take a stick of dynamite, stand in the doorway of their clubhouse, light the fuse, and make them promise to keep things quiet in HIS neighborhood. Obviously they agreed, so he pulled the fuse out and left.

Hi Michael, John from Tennessee here hope all is well w you and your great family. I am hoping to get a place to live and get out of the shelter soon. Love and prayers as always. Your friend, John from Tennessee

Listening to Michael share his life stories brings me back. My Grandfather from Bari (I'm Barese and Sicilian) was a Long Shoreman and Union Boss in Brooklyn. He started as a worker, became a picker and worked his way up to Union Boss and shylocker. He was also undefeated as a professional boxer until he got knocked out. At age 16! They lied about their ages to fight from a young age back then. For certain, the long shoremen were all tough guys. I remember seeing a gangster movie poster from the 70's, I think it was the Valachi papers, and he shoed it to me, pointing at the characters one by one, Genovese, Mad Hatter, Luciano..."I worka for dat a guy...I worka for dat a guy...dat guy a sumna beach..." Michael's Movie reviews are the best thing about Monday's. Brings me back. God Bless.

Micheal Franzese is really one of the best youtubers, he puts out high quality, informative and interesting content while always being positive and nice.

For your next review, I recommend State Of Grace(1990). Ed Harris' character is loosely based on Jimmy Coonan, and Gary Oldman's character is loosely based on Mickey Featherstone.

I was happy you emphasized that the organized crime lifestyle does not pay and that crime is a dead end street, Keep up the good work, regards from Ireland...

Being from Cleveland Ohio, and him being my great uncle I’m so happy to see you over this.

John Scalish was head of Cleveland Mafia when he died unexpectedly it left a vacuum that Nardi and Greene thought they could take over, Licavoli was made boss but many wanted Angelo Lonardo to fill the seat. Cleveland was a place that everyone knew each other from growing up together. Cops, gangsters all knew each other.

The real interview green gave when he was told there was a hit out for him.. “ if these maggots in this so-called Mafia want to come after me, I'm over here by the Celtic Club. I'm not hard to find” 😂😂😂😂

Nothing on this planet I wouldn’t give for a sit down with Michael Franzese. Your story telling, personal experiences and life are second to none, you are definitely a legend.

My irish mother, while still in her late teens, was waiting at a bus stop across the street from where she worked. Brother's Lounge. Green stopped by and started talking to her and eventually asked her out. She recounted how he was treated with respect at restaurants, etc. However, it didn't last long. She found out he was married and ended the relationship.

Ray Stevenson is such an under-rated actor; it's amazing he's not an A-List superstar. He's the best part of HBO's ROME.

Every time I look at the poster for this movie, I see Pablo Escobar for some reason.

Because of the timezone he releases his videos in I can never comment early enough to get a like from good ole Franzese. Guess we'll find out if its my lucky day 300 view gang where you at

My father was a Deputy Sheriff in Cleveland from 1973-1988. He has told me stories about all the people he knew or ran into during those years. Some of the people he would run into were in this movie! He had known John Nardi, Shondor Birns, Danny Greene, Anthony Libatore, etc!

Mike I never knew some Italian mafia guys had relationships with Irish guys on the street and respected them..I thought they didn’t get along..always look forward to Monday’s for your excellent movie reviews..

I just watched this movie yesterday ,funny.Great movie.I stay tuned on your channel till end of days mr Franzese.

I’m from Cleveland, I’m 37 now and I been hearing these names all my life from my father , my grandmother . Wayyy before the movie came out

I found you and sub'd about 4 days ago. I've never binged so many videos in mu life so quickly! I've watched ALL of them. Your a legend Michael and such a humble, and classy guy. Can't get enough.

I remember when it came out on netflix in 2011 and thought it looked like a cheap indie project, watched it 2 years ago and was pleasantly surprised.

I absolutely love what you had to say about Unions and Unions being needed. I'm always happy to pay Union dues. You get so much in return for your Union dues money. Better wages, better retirement, better medical, dental, better benefits. It's like paying for protection plus interest, plus profit, plus benefits. Thank You for supporting Unions.

I love how Michael describes movies by mixing the character names with the actor names the same way I do and my dad used to do. “Danny Greene winds up working for Christopher Walken while Val Kilmer chases them around.” 😂 it’s just great I really do love it

Did the Cleveland mob really think going into a car bombing campaign against an Irishman was a good idea?😂😂. Great movie! I would love to see your review on "State of Grace" with Sean Penn and Gary Oldman

Union boss, ' JOE BUKKA!' Joe's glasses hit the floor. Danny quietly murmurs, ' Joe's not here.' Awesome.

Hey Michael, great review and breakdown brother. Thank you. This was a movie that gave me some joy in my darkest year 2011. Danny's character being respectful to the elder lady by taking his hands off her fence when asked was so great. God bless brother 👍

One thing the movie doesn't cover is that before he got a job on the docks, Danny had been a Marine where he excelled at boxing, marksmanship and taught junior marines how to be artillery men. Just in case you wondered where he got the skills he used later in life.

Danny Greene's dislike for Italians actually started while attending Collinwood High School which had a large percentage of Italians. 15210 St Clair, Cleveland. My alma mater too which is still there. His "home" that got blown up was actually a small apartment building on S. Waterloo Rd, Cleveland. He was a neighborhood Robinhood in that at Thanksgiving/Christmas he would buy turkeys from the area small markets and distribute them to needy families. His run in with the motorcycle gang was with Hells Angels but didn't happen that way. He had a beef with them over drugs or gambling or something and showed up on the gangs porch with a stick of dynamite and lite it threatening to throw it inside. He did drive a green Continental and controlled book making in the area. His demise happened in the parking lot of an office building at the corner of Brainard & Cedar rds, Lyndhurst, oh. Sorry to go on so long.

Eating dessert with Michael at a gun range. “Leave the gun..take the cannoli”

Danny Greene is definitely up there as far as tough guys. No disputing it. As a Scot-Irishman myself I can testify to that being a part of the culture. Being stubborn and not backing down. My grandpa was like that. He ran a business and used to help out his fellow business owners that operated in the same building. He’d eat at the resturant on the ground floor. He sent me to buy comics at the comic shop next door. He believed in working with his neighbors. So one day when the martial arts store down the way was having issues with a customer he intervened on the owners behalf. To really set this scene up so you understand what kind of guy my gramps was. He was a smaller guy,5’6 and 150 pounds. Not a big guy. The guy hassling the store owner was 6 feet tall and did martial arts. My grandpa didn’t give a shit. He confronted the guy over making a scene, told him to get lost. The guy bragged that he was a martial arts expert and all my gramps said in return was “Take your best shot pal. You’re only getting one”. The guy backed off and left. My grandpa wasn’t a big guy but he was tough as nails and was a no nonsense guy. Old school scot Irish. It’s just how we’re raised. You don’t back down and you stand for what you stand for to the bitter end. Even if it means a beating. Needless to say Danny Greene standing against the mob doesn’t shock me at all. True Irishman through and through. And I’m glad to see this flick getting some attention. God bless my friend and good review.

This is why I have respect for Unions. Grew up in San Pedro Ca, ILWU (Local 13). My Grandfather owned an Areospace Company opened circa 1951). He would never Unionize yet allowed the Union to come in and go through his books. He stayed within a dollar and provided all benefits to his employees. His company ran from 1951 until his passing in 2004. He had sit downs with the Union 2 times a year to make sure he was within “standard” and could remain “privatized.

I remember getting this on bootleg in 2010. My favorite part was him saying come on you dumb Pollock! 🤣

I actually enjoyed this movie even though it was low budget

Proud to be Irish when you see men like Danny Green 🇮🇪💪🙏

Hey there! Thank you for discussing this film the the Cleveland LCN a bit. I'd recommend folks read the book the movie is based off of as the situation was much more complex than the film showed. Gangsters like Shondor Birns (Christopher Walken) have intriguing stories. Fight promotor Don King was a subordinate of Shondor at one time. The war between the Cleveland LCN and the "Celtic Club" was part of an LCN power struggle after the longtime boss John Scalish died. Because next to nobody was "made" post-Apalachin meeting in Cleveland the organization lacked muscle when the struggle between Licovoli and Nardi kicked off after Scalish's death. Licovoli became boss and Nardi wasn't pleased. Nardi wasn't even made despite a rap sheet going back to the 1930s. He was bitter he was never made and routinely dodged paying tribute to Cleveland LCN in response. One detail from the movie I didn't like was how sweet and innocent they made John Nardi. The real guy isn't so sympathetic. Final Fact: Car bombs at the time were called a "Youngstown Tune Up" due to their heavy use in the midwest, especially in Youngstown and Cleveland.

I can't wait for you to get to the 500k mark just because this is a great channel!!!

Being from Cleveland, I'm glad you finally covered this one. Cleveland is mentioned in passing in a lot of mob movies, probably because the mayfield road gang stayed out of the headlines and kept a low profile, but obviously we in Cleveland have an inferiority complex about all things... if feeling insecure about our comparative lack of organized crime is a thing... still its annoying to me that this was filmed in Detroit . Also the "Theatrical Grill" was an actual restaurant, located on Short Vincent which was a downtown alley with burlesque theaters back in the 40's; torn down and replaced with parking garages for skyscrapers in the 70's and 80's.

Thanks for giving a nod to the Irish. We've been fighting the English for 500 years. I was tired of being a welder, so I went to business school. Just up the block was a pizza shop, so I wandered in one afternoon looking for work under the table. It turned out the owner was "connected". He took a shine to me due to my honesty and trustworthiness. I got paid cash every night no matter how business was that day. I began to involve myself in low level crime, a fence in other words. Sold some dope, did some dope. He gave me very solid advice that I took to heart after learning about the events that shaped his life. I quickly quite my foolishness recognizing that I was far too stupid to be a real criminal and it would only be a matter of time before I got left holding a bag of shit. Rest in Peace, Sam Valastos. My friend and mentor.

One of my favorites. Hits closer to home. Grew up in Youngstown, OH. Heard stories about this way before the movie ever came out. You mentioned all the car bombing and made me laugh. The old timers around here called them a “Youngstown Tune-Up”

Once Again, Mr. Franzese, GREAT JOB with this review, Truly Great Job !!!! I feel honored because I was one of the community members who requested this Movie Review, I hope in a couple of weeks you review on whatever season you finished of The Sopranos. I figure with six seasons of the show, maybe every couple of months you hit the show again :)

My Grandad used to have an Irish boss come and get a haircut every two weeks. He had a special chair for him and everything. I used to get to hold the cigar while he got his haircut back in the 1950s wow time flies fast.

There’s a movie from around 2003 called, “This Thing of Ours”. I didn’t think much of it besides the fact that a couple of guys from the Sopranos and James Cana were in it, but I just found out your father was an Executive Producer.

Outstanding!! So far, this is my favorite Mob Movie Monday review. You sir bring us a professional product with these posts! Please keep them coming and God Bless!!

I loved this movie, growing up in Bklyn i knew a few Irish toughs and they rarely backed down from anything. But you def need to remember those Hells Kitchen boys, they were their own world.

Great movie ray Stevenson was spot on Danny greene was a real tough guy.

Love watching your videos Michael, and listening to the war stories you went through or heard.. love from Ireland 🙏🏼

My mom actually sat on the lap of Licavoli when she was a little girl. These were real people who made a real impact on real communities. We should all be reminded of that.

I was a teenager in Cleveland when all these bombings were happening. I remember Danny being on tv a lot, the guy definitely had a pair.🍻

Promote your pizza business more often, that was classic with the daughters the other day.

Love this movie!! Being half DEGO n half IRISH, the mob movies have always been interesting to me.. it’s worth your time if you are into mob -action movies

Love you content. Good to see you turned your life around. As Jimmy said in good fellas "Keep coming".

Glad you picked this one Michael. I think this is a very under rated mob movie.

Thanks Michael, from an Irishman 🇮🇪👍 Please do State of Grace one day, starring Gary Oldman and Sean Penn.. it's loosely based on the westies.

Excellent movie, excellent insight. Today you are always on camera. If you have a cell phone your being tracked and recorded. I admire men like you who have experienced and survived so much. Your ability to teach lessons from experience is off the chart because you cut through the bull. GOD BLESS

Thanks Michael for sitting down and making time for us viewers... 🙏

Hey Mike!! Gotta love Mob Movie Mondays! Thanks! I hope you have a great day. Support from The Bronx! 👊🙏🇺🇸

I'd love to hear more about the Westies

Very well done! My 96 year old father was associated most of his life. Ray was actually his Cumpari. ( he baptised my older brother for you medigans out there). We all referred to him as "Uncle Ray". Maybe we all could share a few stories and a Sambuca some day. Don't wait to long though..the old man IS 96...lol Salud!!

Great insights in all your reviews sir! Have you done "The French Connection", or "The Valachi Papers?". I'd love to hear your ideas on those classics. Thanks for this channel. Excellent! 👍

You need to do two more Irish mob movies: State of Grace and Miller's Crossing!

Loved this movie. Highly underrated. Danny Greene was a tough SOB.

I just thought how fantastic it would have been to have been for u to have a sit down with The Late Danny Aeillo ....I have a huge connection in real life with him and his wife. I was a close friend of their family !! Unfortunately he passed away several yrs ago GREAT ACTOR EVEN BETTER PERSON ....big loss 🙏GOD BLESS

Love you bro!! Thank you for all the insight, these movies need these voices and ppl; we need this with real guys commentating.

It's quite astonishing,at his age. How much memories Michael retains while discussing these topics of his past or movie related..Great video!! Looking forward to the next Installment.

Mr. Franzese, "You Da Man"!!!

Working on the dock of the bay watching the tide roll away... That caddy at 10:43 is sick.

Glad you did this one! This is one of my low-key favorites from the mob genre... I hope you see this, Michael there's an older mob movie, came out a few years before the godfather.. it was called The Brotherhood and it started Kirk douglas I believe but it didn't get good critical reception so I have never heard anyone mention it but I think it's just misunderstood.. I'd love to hear your opinion on it! I understand your a busy man and it isn't high demand like other titles however maybe you'll enjoy it? Or maybe your familiar already? Idk But God bless you Michael! Your an inspiration to all of us Men trying to do the right thing!

Hi Michael hope your keeping well. Have you ever been to Ireland? I'm an irish man and I love my mobster movies

State of Grace is a good movie based on the Westies. Ed Harris and Sean Penn are in it. I'd definitely recommend it for a Mob Movie Monday.

One of the best RU-vid channels, thx again Michael Franzese

I live in cleveland and I work with a guy who’s cousins with Danny Greene’s son and the stories are crazy.

“I gave Mike a piece of the pie in the gas scheme game. Can you believe it?! Huhuhaha 😁” - Gianni Russo

Those baseball bats looked like they were 12 gauge LOL!

Thanks, Mr. Franzese! I tell people to check out your posts. Proud to follow you!

I grew up in Cleveland 1950s to mid 1980s and remember these guys! Worked briefly at a law firm with 2 partners who were in the mob. Got out because I didn’t want that involvement. My sheltered suburban mother said there was no such thing as the Mafia.

Outstanding! Hey, about doing Mob movie Monday on "Hoffa" 1992 with Jack Nickelson, Danny Devito and Armond Assente?

I don't like everyone's stories. However, when Franzese gives a review (or tells a story), I must listen. Thank you for adding the bit about the reporter, Brian Ross.

Due to picking a movie without my reading glasses on, I only saw the word ‘Irishman’ and watched this my mistake, but it was a good movie and I enjoyed it. Thanks for the video. Keep ‘em coming.

So glad you covered this movie. Definitely one of my favorite mob movies

One of the funniest lines from The Sopranos was when AJ asked Tony... "what do you do for a living?... I'm in Waste Management, you know this, what have you heard?"

Bob Gunton gets slapped around just as the inmates would have liked to slap him when he was the warden in Shawshank.

I really like how you add the moral and lessons at the end. It really adds insight that you didn’t have to put in but you did because you felt it was important. Really makes your content genuine which you don’t always see.

do a movie review of “once upon a time in america”

Hey Michael, I’m from cleveland and I would enjoy a video of you talking about your interactions with the cleveland mob

I’ve been sharing this. When I get outta Facebook jail I will share this page.

I felt exactly the same about this flick: Certain scenes didn't work for me knowing the reality of the mob & of the life -- but they worked great in a movie where Danny is the protagonist & hero

i used to waitress for Kenny Kings and he hung out there all day and guys would come in (he used it like an office) but I poured coffee all afternoon and he was very polite. In fact, he even paid for my friends private catholic High School tuition as well as many other Irish kids in the neighborhood.. I have a few stories about his boss, too, lol..

Michael do “once upon a time in America” but only the directors cut version with the original score. Sergio lione masterpiece. It’s 3:45 minutes be ready

That’s my favorite move... slapping someone rather than punching them it’s more insulting to slap them around

Nothing more interesting than a made man reviewing mob movies. Love your work.

The union boss at the beginning, is the same actor that played the prison warden in the, Shawshank Redemption.

Finally caught an upload in 2 minutes that's rare ! G-d bless