Scarface.

Published in 1930, Armitage Trail's controversial novel Scarface served as the basis for both the 1932 film directed by Howard Hawks and the 1983 remake directed by Brian De Palma. Set in Prohibition-era Chicago, the book followed Antonio “Tony” Camonte, a violent and ambitious gangster whose rapid ascent through the criminal underworld reflected broader themes of power, corruption, and the darker side of the American Dream. Trail depicted Tony as a figure driven by an unrelenting desire for dominance, wealth, and recognition—qualities that ultimately led to his downfall. The novel was heavily influenced by contemporary organized crime, particularly the rise of figures like Al Capone, and was notable for its candid portrayal of violence and moral ambiguity. Trail’s prose was spare and direct, mirroring the urgency and brutality of the world he described. While the book received limited attention compared to the films it inspired, it played a significant role in shaping early American gangster fiction. Scarface introduced a prototype of the antihero that would later become central to the genre, laying the groundwork for future depictions of criminal ambition and societal collapse.