The Golden Boy of Crime

The story of Norman "Red" Ryan, known as Canada’s Jesse James, unfolds through his notorious criminal exploits in the 1920s and '30s. His daring life, marked by a dramatic escape from Kingston Penitentiary, captured the attention of notable figures like Ernest Hemingway and Morley Callaghan. Despite being celebrated as a model of rehabilitation by Prime Minister R.B. Bennett, Ryan continued his criminal activities, even while mingling with law enforcement at social events, highlighting the duality of his public persona and private life.