Our Story
Quick! Name the most successful bank robbers in North American history! No, not John Dillinger or Bonnie and Clyde. Not Jessie James and his gang. Not even Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
The Stopwatch Gang members were the most infamous bank robbers you've never heard of. The FBI coined the name because their leader, Paddy Mitchell, always wore a stopwatch around his neck. Their heists were planned with such precision that they rarely lasted more than 90 to 120 seconds. In more than 100 bank robberies in the 1970s to 80s, from Ottawa to Miami, these gentlemen bandits never fired a shot or hurt anyone. Before landing in prison, Paddy Mitchell, Stephen Reid and Lionel Wright stole more than $15 million dollars, making them the most successful bank robbers in North American history. They still hold the record for the largest bank robbery in San Diego history-$283,000. In Ottawa, they made off with $750,000 in gold bars which were never recovered.
We'll focus on the gang's hideaway in Oak Creek Canyon where they played poker and bridge with friends using their ill-gotten cash for bets. These gentlemen robbers were so beloved in the Sedona area that their neighbors refused to cooperate with the FBI, saying they couldn't believe Stephen, Paddy and Lionel would ever rob a bank.
The Impact
The impact of this project is to inform the public about the most successful bank robbers in North American history, a story which has never been told in the United States. Because these robberies occurred more than 30 years ago, the opportunity to interview their former neighbors, FBI agents, law enforcement agents, and surviving Stopwatch Gang members, is slipping away. Sadly, Paddy Mitchell died in prison January 15, 2007 from lung cancer at the age of 64. If this project isn't funded, we may lose the opportunity to accurately record their story.
What We Need & What You Get
Our company, All of the Above Productions, is a full-service, state-of-the-art, digital filmmaking company with lightweight, high-definition, digital video and still cameras, professional lighting, digital sound recording, and green screen. Our stated goal of $10,000 would make pre-production and production possible right away. We're positioned to film interviews with individuals connected with the Stopwatch Gang. With additional funding, say, $12,000 total or more, we can seek out more sources and delve into this amazing story in greater detail. We're committed to this project--whether or not we reach our funding goal. Later we'll return with proposals for post-production and distribution as well as a full-budget narrative film project on the Stopwatch Gang. Meanwhile, the main disadvantage of not reaching our fundraising goal would be the inherant delays while we work on other commercial projects (yeah, we have to support ourselves and our families, too) and missed opportunities to connect with important players in the story.
Take a few minutes to glance through our website at AllOfTheAboveProductions.com, including our video samples and team bios. While you're at it, check out our other projects such as our award-winning documentary, Robin Hood of the Bayous. We're confident we can pass your inspection and hope you'll share our passion for The Stopwatch Gang. If so, the next step is to become our IndieGoGo benefactor (no amount is too small or too large) and earn our undying appreciation!
Other Ways You Can Help
Be snitches for the Stopwatch Gang project! Tell your friends, family, coworkers--heck, anyone who will listen--about this amazing story. Ask them to support our Stopwatch Gang fundraising efforts on IndieGoGo as well. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to us on YouTube. We'll be posting regular updates for our accomplices.
