The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds

51 - Michael Malloy - Smollop

Jan 20, 2015
Dive into the wild life of Michael Malloy, an indestructible drunkard navigating the chaos of the Great Depression. From absurd speakeasy antics to a comical conspiracy involving his friends' desperate murder plots for insurance money, the storytelling blends dark humor with shocking resilience. Experience the hilarity of a man who, despite being fed poison and even getting hit by a cab, refuses to die. This tale is a rollercoaster of ridiculousness and laughter, showcasing the unpredictability of nightlife and the lengths people will go for a quick buck.
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ANECDOTE

Iron Mike's Barroom Life

  • Michael Malloy, an Irish homeless man in 1932 New York, drank constantly and lived in speakeasies despite being destitute.
  • He became the target of a murder-for-insurance plot after owners tired of unpaid tabs and imagined he would die easily.
INSIGHT

Speakeasy Credit Became Exploitation

  • The speakeasy economy tolerated feeding regulars on credit but exploited vulnerable people via insurance schemes.
  • Owners and criminals used homelessness and desperation as leverage for profit and murder.
ANECDOTE

Earlier Insurance Murder Scheme

  • Marino and accomplices convinced a homeless woman to take out life insurance, then forced her to die by exposure to collect the payout.
  • That earlier scheme emboldened them to try the same tactic on Malloy months later.
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