The REAL St. Louis Bank Robbery - On You Tube! (Spoilers)
While trying to find out more information on the real incident that inspired this 1959 feature film, I uncovered this interview with one of the police officers involved in the original robbery - Mel Stein. Stein later played himself in the film.
Parts of the film that were true to life were: the leader of the robbers getting shot through the spine as he comes out of the bank holding a hostage; and one of the bank robbers committing suicide in the bank, bacause he won't go back to prison.
Interesting that the current bank owners/employees seem to take such pride in having this notoriety. At certain times, they've shown this film in the bank lobby, and served popcorn.
Here is the link. If you've seen the film, you may find this interview fascinating.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEoVFGvsvbU&feature=related
Additional info:
http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/page.html?ArticleID=164642
http://www.listal.com/video/2732120
http://www.newspaperarchive.com/LandingPage.aspx?type=glp&search="southwest%20bank"%201953%20robbery&img=\\na0038\6773657\30845628.html