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Destroy All Podcasts DX Episode 102 - Getting Any?

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1 comment posted
Bank robbery references

I'm late with this, as I just watched this film the first time today, but I thought I'd clue you in to a couple a cultural references I noticed in the movie. Specifically, two of Asao's attempts at bank robbery are based on actual historical events. I saw a million cultural references, of course, but I think these are pretty obscure so they jumped out at me.

First, the scene in which Asao poses as a doctor seems to be inspired by a robbery which occured at a branch of the Teikoku Bank in Shiinamachi, near Ikebukuro. At closing time, a man identifying himself as Dr. Jiro Yamaguchi of the Ministry of Health and Welfare convinced the management that an outbreak of dysentery had occurred in the area. Sixteen employees consumed a unknown substance under the pretense it was medication. Twelve died as a result, and 180,000 yen was stolen. The hunt for the culprit included the first ever use of a composite sketch in Japan. A tempura artist in Otaru, Hokkaido was eventual convicted of the crime, though the facts and his confession conflict on several points.

Second, the attempt in which Asao is disguised as a motorcycle policeman seems to be based on a robbery that occurred on December 10, 1968. Much like the film parodies it, a motorcycle policeman flagged down a car carrying the payroll of the Nippon Trust Bank's Kokubunji branch in route to a Toshiba factory in Fuchu City with payroll funds. He informed the four employees in the car that a the bank manager's house had been bombed, and asked to check the car. As there had actually been a bomb threat against the bank, they agreed. The false policeman slid under the car, and suddenly smoke began to pour out. The employees ran for it, and the fake cop drove away with 294,307,500 yen. Despite an 8 year manhunt costing over one billion yen, the culprit was never caught. it appears to be a perfect crime.

Anyway, sorry for the poorly written and un-cited comment.

acha's picture
Posted by acha on 6 August, 2009 - 17:03