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Actually in the original "Threepenny Opera" there were some suggestions of "Jack the Ripper" in "Mack the Knife". He enjoys reading about his exploits in the newspapers, and his weapon of choice is the knife (such as his disposal in one song of a robbery victim named "Louis Miller"*). And one of the reasons for his long success is he is a friend of the head of Scotland Yard (whose name is "Jackie" - in fact they were known years earlier when partners as "Macky and Jackie".
*In some recent recordings of the song, because Louis' body has disappeared, his name has been changed to that of missing band leader "Glenn Miller".
Jeff
P.S. Not related really but in the original "Beggar's Opera" of the 18th Century by John Gay, "Peachum" the criminal gang head who betrays MacHeath due to the latter having an affair with Peachum's daughter Polly, is based on the contemporary figure of Jonathan Wild, the so-called "Thief - taker General" of England and receiver of stolen goods from his criminal gang (he was hanged in 1725).
*In some recent recordings of the song, because Louis' body has disappeared, his name has been changed to that of missing band leader "Glenn Miller".
Jeff
P.S. Not related really but in the original "Beggar's Opera" of the 18th Century by John Gay, "Peachum" the criminal gang head who betrays MacHeath due to the latter having an affair with Peachum's daughter Polly, is based on the contemporary figure of Jonathan Wild, the so-called "Thief - taker General" of England and receiver of stolen goods from his criminal gang (he was hanged in 1725).
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