No Respect for Merlino: "Corrupt and Dead" Director

By Ed Scarpo

This trailer packs a wallop...


Tigre Hill's new documentary on organized crime features real-life South Philly wiseguys, including Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi, Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino and Angelo Bruno.

On Feb. 2, the "Shame of a City" and "Barrel of a Gun" director released the trailer for "The Corrupt and The Dead," his latest film.

Hill described the forthcoming documentary as focusing on the detrimental effect of organized crime on society, as well as its impact on the economies of its host cities. The film covers the mob's influence in cities across the country, but tightens its focus specifically on the mob's impact on Hill's native city of Philadelphia, Philly.com noted.

"Philly was so unique," Hill said, "even the Mafia was saying, 'What the f--k is going on in Philly?'"

The film bookends with Philly elite, beginning with Salvatore Sabella, who Hill claims is the first known Sicilian Mafia boss in Philly, and it concludes with Merlino's fall.

"A lot of old mobsters have no respect for Merlino," Hill said, "Not that they're worthy of respect."



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