The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight

The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight is a 1971 American crime comedy film directed by James Goldstone and written by Waldo Salt, based on the 1969 novel of the same title by Jimmy Breslin, which in turn was based on the life of gangster Joe Gallo. The film stars Jerry Orbach, Leigh Taylor-Young, Jo Van Fleet, Lionel Stander, Robert De Niro and Irving Selbst. The film was released on December 22, 1971, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Plot Kid Sally Palumbo (Jerry Orbach) grows jealous of his older, mobster boss Baccala (Lionel Stander), who has little respect for the crew Palumbo commands. Baccala allows Kid Sally to supervise a six-day bicycle race (for the purposes of keeping the money generated), and among the 12 Italian cyclists brought into the city is Mario Trantino (Robert De Niro), a budding thief. When the bicycle race does not take place due to outside interference, Sally is demoted to serving Baccala as a chauffeur, and Trantino stays in New York City to run his own cons, including masquerading as a priest. Kid Sally's mother Big Momma (Jo Van Fleet) urges him to take down the old, entrenched mobsters in power, but it appears the only fatalities are in his own camp, and the increase in violence draws the attention of the city police. Cast Jerry Orbach as Salvatore 'Kid Sally' Palumbo Leigh Taylor-Young as Angela Palumbo Jo Van Fleet as Big Momma Palumbo Lionel Stander as Baccala Robert De Niro as Mario Trantino Irving Selbst as 'Big Jelly' Catalano Hervé Villechaize as Beppo 'The Dwarf' Joe Santos as Ezmo Carmine Caridi as Tony 'The Indian' Frank Campanella as Water Buffalo Harry Basch as Joseph DeLauria Sander Vanocur as Television Commentator Phil Bruns as Gallagher Philip Sterling as District Attorney Goodman Jack Kehoe as Bartender Despo Diamantidou as Mourner Sam Coppola as Julie DiBiasi James Sloyan as Joey Paul Benedict as 'Shots' O'Toole Lou Criscuolo as Junior George Loros as Jerry Harry Davis as Dominic Laviano Burt Young as Willie Quarequio Jackie Vernon as Herman Ted Beniades as A Black Suit Fat Thomas as A Black Suit Roy Shuman as The Mayor Alice Hirson as The Mayor's Wife Michael V.