A Pickpocket's Guide to New York

John Turturro trained with renowned pickpocket Apollo Robbins to prepare for his role as an old-school thief named Harry in the film "The Only Living Pickpocket in New York." Robbins, known as "the gentleman thief" for his Vegas performances and famous Secret Service pocket-emptying feat, taught Turturro various theft techniques and pickpocketing terminology while the actor insisted on performing the steals himself rather than using a hand double. The training revealed the "balletic aspect" of pickpocketing and its distinction from violent crime, which intrigued Turturro as he drew parallels between the finesse required and his craft as an actor.