Machine Gun Kelly: podcast appearances and interviews

George Kelly Barnes, known by the nickname Machine Gun Kelly, was an American gangster active during the Prohibition era. Born on July 18, 1895, in Memphis, Tennessee, he earned his nickname from his preferred weapon, a Thompson submachine gun. Kelly is most widely recognized for orchestrating the kidnapping of oil tycoon and businessman Charles F. Urschel in July 1933. The kidnapping resulted in a ransom payment of 200,000 dollars, equivalent to approximately 4.89 million dollars in 2025. The victim had left substantial evidence that supported the investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which ultimately led to Kelly's arrest in Memphis on September 26, 1933. Besides the kidnapping, his criminal activities included bootlegging and armed robbery. Kelly’s actions and subsequent capture marked a significant chapter in the criminal history of the era.