The Sound of Violins (Violence)

Thompson Submachinegun Stored in Violin Case

Gangsters carrying Tommy guns in violin cases is a stereotype as old as the hills, well, okay, as old as Thompson submachine guns. I always thought that the guns were stored in the case fully assembled, ready to go. Perhaps one with a shorter barrel could be, but this one is broken down. Also, it has a drum magazine, and that wouldn't fit in a violin case if it was attached to the gun.

Two movies that touch on this subject spring to mind. Public Enemies with Johnny Depp and El Mariachi (and its sequel Desperado), though these last two used guitar cases instead of violin cases.

Cuban Baseball

What a posse taking in a Havana ballgame: (Che’ Guevera (1928-1967) with beret); to his left is Raul Castro, to Che’s right is baseball player and revolutionary hero Camilo Cienfuegos (1932-1959), Fidel Castro is to the right of Cienfuegos. 

I'm reading Cuba Straits, a novel by Randy Wayne White, and I come across this passage:

On December 31, 1958, three American pitchers playing for the Havana Sugar Kings were delayed by extra innings and accidentally trapped when Castro's army came to power. . . . Cuba's recent dictator, flaunting Caribbean League rules, had personally signed their contracts after bribing them with cash and presents. Bribes included new Harley-Davidson motorcycles and three gold-plated Thompson machine guns, each personalized and engraved LOYAL BEYOND DEATH - FULGENCIO BATISTA. 

I go looking for pictures of Cuban baseball players and I found this one (above). The bearded ones even formed their own baseball team.