Which gangster invented supermarket sex?

February 6, 2016 8:11 PM

This cover of the Police Gazette magazine references "supermarket sex" (?) being invented by a particular "gangster". Who were they referring to?

I'm aware that this was a tabloid, but was this referencing a real event (I think around 1967)? Were people concerned about supermarket sex at the time, beyond this magazine? Would this be a reference that people would have gotten, or was it just an attention grabbing non-sequitur?

posted by dilaudid to Society & Culture (7 answers total)

I'm afraid I don't have the time to spare to check out the reels myself, but my local university lists the National Police Gazette in its microform catalogue. I'd wager most state schools carry it - it was actually a pretty influential rag in its heyday.

You probably want to go see if there's a reference librarian near you who can help out.
posted by fifthrider at 9:09 PM on February 6, 2016

(I should clarify that, upon further investigation, it looks like my library only has the 19th century issues available. Not sure if anybody has scans of the 1967 ones.)
posted by fifthrider at 9:12 PM on February 6, 2016

I'm guessing it might refer to Times Square or some other American red light district of the time - I've seen the term "sex supermarket" used in '60s publications to describe an area with open peep shows and prostitution.
posted by northernish at 9:29 PM on February 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

I immediately thought of the Lana Turner/Johnny Stompanato tabloid sensation of the late '50s, tabloids being sold in supermarkets.
posted by furtive_jackanapes at 9:31 PM on February 6, 2016 [3 favorites]

I wonder if it is a reference to a publisher, who was also a gangster (or vice versa), who first had the idea if that sex sells, that it would be possible to package it for sale in the corner shop vs a porn shop. This is the front cover of a tabloid and sensational headlines triumph over accuracy. It could be referring to something that happened decades previously.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:44 PM on February 6, 2016

And google lead me to this link, it sounds like the National Enquirer had links to organized crime, early 1950s.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:49 PM on February 6, 2016

Best answer: It's Lucky Luciano: Image link to the beginning spread of the article (via this eBay seller). Apparently "supermarket sex" is just a reference to a network of brothels rather than anything actually sold in a supermarket – probably signifying a chain of outlets, like a supermarket chain, with high volume and central management.

Wikipedia on Lucky Luciano and prostitution, plus a Daily Mail story (sorry!).
posted by taz at 1:27 AM on February 7, 2016 [19 favorites]