Bulldog: Inside the Chicago Mafia – Documentary

Hi, our names are Josh Baker and Peter Lambrinatos, and we’re the filmmakers behind Bulldog: Inside the Chicago Mafia—a true crime documentary.

This isn’t just another mob story. This is the legacy of John “Bulldog” Drummond, a legendary Chicago crime reporter who spent nearly 50 years uncovering the darkest corners of the city’s criminal underworld. Now 95 years old, John has entrusted us with helping him tell his story before it’s lost forever.

We’re asking for your support to bring this project across the finish line—through final editing, archival licensing, sound design, and festival distribution. This isn’t just a documentary. It’s a historical document. A portrait of a city. A tribute to one man’s courage in chasing the truth no matter the cost.

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️‍WWho is John Drummond?

If you grew up in Chicago—or have ever watched CBS—you might already know the name.

John Drummond is a legend. For nearly five decades, he was the face of crime reporting in Chicago. With his unforgettable voice, old-school fedora, and tenacious reporting style, he earned the nickname “Bulldog”—not just from viewers, but from the very mobsters he covered. He walked into courtrooms with hitmen, tracked down corrupt politicians, and knocked on the doors no one else dared to.

He wasn’t just a reporter. He was a witness to history.

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Why This Film Matters

Chicago has always had a reputation—a city of big politics and even bigger crime. But few people have seen it from the inside. John Drummond did. For decades, he built relationships with cops, mobsters, lawyers, and victims. His reporting shaped public perception and helped expose some of the city’s most dangerous players.

But John’s story isn’t just about crime. It’s about journalism in its purest form—in a time before clickbait and hot takes. It’s about courage, obsession, and the human cost of chasing the truth day after day.

John is ready to speak. And we’ve been lucky enough to capture it.

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How This Project Came to Life

This project started with a conversation—and a shared admiration for John’s work. Peter had already worked on several documentaries, including pieces that explored overlooked Chicago stories. Josh had grown up hearing John’s name around the house—watching him on TV, absorbing his voice, his cadence, his fearlessness. To us, John was more than a broadcaster. He was an icon of old-school journalism with grit and integrity.

When we finally sat down with him, it was clear we were sitting on decades of untold stories—some shocking, some tragic, and some surprisingly funny.

We knew immediately these stories had to be told properly.

We took John back to his old stomping grounds—Lower Wacker Drive, Cook County Courthouse, the alleys where mob hits were once routine. It wasn’t easy. John is 95 years old and has trouble walking. But he wanted this. He wanted to go back. He wanted to show us—not just tell us.

We filmed interviews, uncovered old photos, transcripts, and rare news clips. What we’ve captured so far is incredibly rare: a firsthand account of the Chicago Outfit.

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Where the Money Is Going

We’ve completed most of the principal photography, but the most expensive—and essential—work is still ahead. Here’s where your donations will go:

• Archival Footage Licensing – $40,000

(Includes CBS news clips, courtroom footage, and FBI documentation that are crucial to telling the full story)

• Professional Editing – $20,000

(Our current cut needs color correction, story tightening, and score integration to meet festival standards)

• Sound Design and Mixing – $10,000

(We want to honor John’s voice and ensure the gritty atmosphere of the city is felt throughout)

• Legal & Rights Clearances – $7,500

(Necessary for using names, images, and locations tied to active criminal cases)

• Festival Submissions, Marketing & Distribution – $10,000

(Getting this film out to audiences around the country and abroad)

• Contingency & Administrative Costs – $12,500

(Taxes, fees, unforeseen post-production needs)

Total Goal: $100,000

We know it’s a big ask. But this is a once-in-a-lifetime story—and we want to tell it right.

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Why We Need Your Help

This is an independent production. There are no studios or streaming services backing us. Every step of the way has been a labor of love—self-funded, self-shot, and deeply personal. We’re two filmmakers doing everything we can to make this happen, but we’ve reached the point where we need a community behind us.

We’ve poured hundreds of hours into interviews, research, and filming. We’ve built a powerful story that deserves to be told on the highest level possible. Now we need the funding to finish it the right way—so it can live forever and reach the widest audience possible.

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From John (and Us) to You

John has poured his life into this. Despite his age, despite the effort it takes just to sit for interviews or walk across a set, he’s committed to making this film a reality. He wants to leave behind something honest. Something meaningful.

We’re honored to help him do that—and we’re asking you to help us, too.

Whether you contribute $10 or $1,000, every dollar gets us closer to preserving a piece of Chicago history. And if you can’t give, please consider sharing this campaign with someone who might appreciate the importance of a story like this.

We also hope to do a screening of the documentary in Chicago once the project has been completed.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for standing with independent filmmakers. And thank you for helping John Drummond’s voice be heard—one last time.

– Josh, Peter, & John