Based on the real life story of Eleanor Jarman who escaped from prison on August 8, 1940 and has remained missing ever since. The Sunday News and Tribune reported on September 3, 1933 that Jarman had been sentenced to 199 years in prison. She was placed on the FBI's 10 most wanted list.
William Kennedy, who was executed by the state of Illinois for the murder of Gustav Hoeh, was in real life named George Dale. Dale was the only gang member to get the death sentence. One of his last acts was to write Jarman love letters from prison. According to the New York Times Dale was executed on April 20, 1934.
Leo Minnici, like Jarman, was sentenced to 199 years for the August 1933 murder of shop owner Gustav Hoeh, Minnici was paroled in 1954.