Growing up in the city of the Big Shoulders I have a fascination with all of it’s historical drama.

Good or bad, Chicago is notorious for it’s share of gangsters and kings of crime.

In the 1920′s and 30′s there were hundreds more gang related public shootings than today.  Battles between criminals and police were fought on the main streets without much regard to innocent bystanders.

My grandmother was present when women soaked up the blood of John Dillinger with their hankies as he lay dying in a Chicago alley.

I can’t imagine that women would do that today, but it was a very different time when criminals were somewhat public heroes to some, especially ones that provided illegal liquor to a thirsty public.

Boardwalk Empire, the HBO fictional series about Atlantic City and Chicago’s real gangsters of the time is one of my favorite shows EVER!

We are into Season 2 (started last Sunday) and it is promising to be as gripping as the first one.

Steve Buscemi is fantastic as “Nucky Thompson” as well as the rest of the cast.  It is really well written and usually has Mr. V and I on the edge of our seats.

Being that it is about Prohibition and gangsters, it is quite violent but this was one of the bloodiest times in American history.

The set design and costumes definitely are stars in their own right and I watch every week to see who is wearing what and in which locale.

Bob Shaw – production design and Debra Schutt- set design just cleaned up at the Emmys for their efforts.

Building the Boardwalk and the interiors required models, plans and months of construction.

Here are some pictures (courtesy of HBO) of the set etc.

Also this Sunday (my DVR will be busy) is the premiere of Ken Burn’s newest film on PBS:

This is like my Super Bowl!

Hard to believe that from 1919 to 1933, America was involved in “the Great Experiment” that pitted “wets” vs. “drys”, created a counter culture of illegal booze and changed society forever through the roaring 1920′s.

As a wise man said,  ”you cannot legislate morality.”

Yet that’s what we tried to do.

And for fourteen years the statement, “to pass a law means nothing…to enforce it, means everything” was never more true.

Cheers!

Happy Weekend!

Enjoy,

@

Thanks for reading,

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