As long as we're on the subject of this film, I occasionally get emails to my web site about it. One person wanted to know whether Gordon Parks was responsible for taking the publicity stills himself. (I haven't the slightest clue, but I doubt it.) Usually, though, the questions are about what happened to the real-life cops upon which the film is based.
Robert Hantz, portrayed in the film by David Selby, was charged with possessing marijuana cigarettes while on vacation, I believe outside the country, and subsequently resigned his position with the NYPD in 1975. Greenberg and Hantz always maintained that they were the subject of various threats and conspiracies because of jealousy within the NYPD over their success and unorthodox methods and, obviously, because their conviction rate made them unpopular with some segments of the community.
David Greenberg, portrayed by Ron Leibman, went on to serve in the NY State Assembly. He was convicted in 1990 on federal conspiracy and fraud charges because of inflating loss claims following burglaries and a fire at a video distribution company he owned and sentenced to serve four years in prison. At the time, he intended to appeal the conviction, but I don't know what became of the appeal.
The real Greenberg and Hantz had cameos in the film and were involved in MGM's press events when the film was released. There are some stills, grabs, and additional stuff related to the film on
my site.
