life exploits of grifter brothers  Charley and Fred Gondorf, whose experiences culminated in a scam  similar to the one shown in the film, known in 1914 as "the wire" or  "the big store." Unlike the movie, however, the actual "mark" was  more than happy to testify against Charley Gondorf, the front man of  the scam, and he spent time in Sing Sing, as did his younger brother  a year later for running another scam. Both served a few years and  were released. As late as 1924, when Charley was 65 and Fred 60,  they were still active, and running new scams.