It started with a cab ride in New York City. In the early 90s, I was trying to gain foothold as a young journalist ? and I got a lead that the owner of Plato?s Retreat, the infamous night spot, was now driving a taxi. I figured I would write a short glossy magazine article ? and move on to another story. Then, I met Larry, Plato?s owner, in Greenwich Village and I accompanied him on his shift as he picked up fares. He was warm, kind and hilarious ? not at all what you would expect from the owner of a swingers club, where public sex takes place nightly.  I wanted to know everything about him. I interviewed gregarious Larry for hundreds of hours. He told me about how he went from being an unemployed brisket wholesaler to being ?The King of Swing? ? and then how he lost it all and wound up driving a cab. What is it like to have the virtual k ey to the city ? the world by the balls ? and lose it all? Larry told me. From our very first interview, I knew there was a movie. Now, many years since that fateful cab ride, here?s American Swing, the untold story of the world?s most notorious club. Mathew Kaufman, my collaborator, and I invite you to enjoy the ride.