The Mystery of Al Capone's Vaults: A Look Back at Geraldo Rivera's Infamous Television Special
The highly anticipated television special "The Mystery of Al Capone’s Vaults" hosted by Geraldo Rivera in 1986 ended in disappointment as the vault turned out to be empty, leaving viewers and Rivera himself underwhelmed. Despite the lack of a significant discovery, the program was well-produced and featured engaging segments on Chicago's gangland history. Rivera reflects on the experience with a mix of amusement, embarrassment, and pride, noting that the show's high ratings surpassed even the Super Bowl that year.
The program, which has since become a symbol of unfulfilled hype, holds a nostalgic charm for some, harkening back to a time before the dominance of the Internet and the fragmentation of television. Author William Hazelgrove, in his book "Capone’s Vault: The Real Story of the Biggest Disaster in Television History," highlights how the show paved the way for reality television by emphasizing the journey rather than the payoff.
Al Capone's association with the Lexington Hotel, where he resided from 1928 to 1931 before his arrest on tax evasion charges, adds a layer of intrigue to the story. Despite his criminal activities in Chicago, Capone never returned to the city after his imprisonment. The Lexington Hotel was eventually demolished in 1995, marking the end of an era.
While the opening of Al Capone's vault may not have lived up to the hype, the legacy of the television special endures as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of live television. Rivera's reflections on the event serve as a testament to the enduring impact of the program, which continues to be a topic of discussion decades later.