LAS VEGAS — A poignant moment from a childhood playground marked Diane Capone Pette’s realization of her family’s history, notably when another child pointed at her and declared, “That’s a Capone.”
Diane is the granddaughter of Al Capone, a notorious figure in American organized crime, famously known as “Scarface” due to a facial scar he acquired during a fight. Capone’s life was filled with criminal endeavors and violence, coupled with a significant prison sentence during his reign over the Chicago Outfit, which began in the 1920s. His life has served as inspiration for countless films and television shows, including the iconic 1983 movie “Scarface” featuring Al Pacino.
In stark contrast to his public persona, Pette reflects on Capone’s complexity, saying, “He was not one-dimensional. He was a man of many facets.” She acknowledges that while he had a darker side, displaying ruthlessness and aggression, he was also deeply loving and loyal, especially to his family.
A unique opportunity to witness an alternative aspect of Capone’s life will be unveiled in an exhibit titled “The First Public Enemy,” set to open at the Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas. This exhibition will feature personal artifacts of Capone, including his preferred sidearm and a rare home movie he filmed in 1929, allowing the public a rare glimpse into his personal world.
After Capone passed away in 1947 from natural causes, his possessions remained in the family—first with his wife and son and later with his four granddaughters. Today, two of those granddaughters, including Pette, are still alive. At the age of 81, Pette and her sisters made the difficult decision to auction some beloved family items, worried that they might be lost in California’s wildfires or forgotten after their own passing.
Among the cherished heirlooms is Capone’s prized Colt 1911 .45-caliber pistol, a weapon that gained fame during World War I. Pette affectionately refers to the gun as “his sweetheart,” attributing to it the role of a faithful companion that may have saved his life on multiple occasions.
Geoff Shumacher, a historian and vice president of exhibits and programs at the museum, emphasized the uniqueness of the artifacts from the Capone family collection, stating they are irreplaceable. Most of the items the family sold have ended up with private collectors, making this exhibit a rare opportunity for the public to glimpse this authentic slice of history.
The short film, captured on 16mm film at Capone’s Miami mansion in 1929, features footage of a day spent with friends, though Capone himself never appears on screen. The film showcases his interactions with fellow mobsters, including Lucky Luciano and Frank Costello, against a backdrop of leisure, revealing a different side to the infamous mob boss.
The Mob Museum possesses the only physical copy of this 12-minute and 20-second silent film, with a shortened version set to be displayed as part of the exhibit. The footage highlights carefree moments at the pool and aboard a boat, capturing Luciano and Costello enjoying their time together.
After his release from prison in 1939, Capone retreated from organized crime to live out his final years in Miami. Despite being only three years old at the time of her grandfather’s death, Pette treasures her early memories with him—especially the days when they celebrated their January birthdays together, blowing out the candles on a cake.
Pette’s final, most vivid memory of Al Capone occurs shortly before his passing; he was gravely ill, and her father—Capone’s only son—brought her to his bedside for a farewell. Pette kissed her grandfather on the cheek, and his last words to her were, “I love you, baby girl.”
