Gangster Floyd’s demise in East Liverpool revisited in new movie

EAST LIVERPOOL — The notorious gangster “Pretty Boy” Floyd met his demise near East Liverpool on Oct, 22, 1934, but his legend lives on.

Versions of exactly how the gangster was killed vary, with both federal and local lawmen taking credit for firing the fatal bullet. The story will be resurrected in the new movie “Public Enemies,” which opens Friday. Will it add yet another version? We’ll know soon enough.

The movie opens with a scene depicting the slaying of Floyd, but it is mainly about the gangster John Dillinger, who is played by Johnny Depp. Channing Tatum plays Floyd, and Christian Bale plays FBI agent Melvin Purvis in the film, which is directed by Michael Mann.

Floyd’s death still looms large in this river town.

Read more in Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com