Mean Streets

1973: Martin Scorsese, director; starring Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel. The tragic, gritty and fundamentally realistic narrative focuses on the relationship between a morally conflicted mobster and his friend, a self-destructive gambler. It won critical praise from some of America’s foremost critics. Fun fact: Director Scorsese plays a minor role in the final scenes. Bonus fun fact: Schlockmeister Roger Corman had agreed to fund the production if Scorsese made the major characters black. Scorsese declined.