’Public Enemies’ a hope for tourism
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AP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 01, 2009 00:00
MILWAUKEE - A new gangster film starring Johnny Depp doesn't open until July 1, but the states of Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois and Arizona are already readying for a hoped-for onslaught of attention related to the movie. It has been created an illustrated map and video guide of film locations in Wisconsin
John Dillinger: America's most notorious criminal or the Robin Hood of the Great Depression? The answer doesn't matter to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, which simply wants people to visit Wisconsin locales related to the Dillinger gang's time in the state in the 1930s, a period portrayed in the film "Public Enemies," starring Johnny Depp. Though the movie doesn't open until July 1, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois and Arizona are already readying for the hoped-for onslaught of attention related to the film, which was shot in Wisconsin and features Dillinger's escapades through those states.
The Wisconsin tourism department has created itineraries on its Web site of locations in the state from the movie and those related to other notorious criminals, such as gangster Al Capone, as well as an illustrated map and video guide.
"Visiting the old battle sites of the war on crime, it's eerie," said author Bryan Burrough, whose book "Public Enemies, America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34" was used to help craft the screenplay for the film.
"Almost all these places still exist," he said. "A few of them have historical markers, but ... if you walk down the pavement where Dillinger was killed, you would never know it. You would have had to read a book or know something about Dillinger." Universal Studios and Film Wisconsin, a group that promotes filming in the state, are planning movie premieres and parties June 30 in Oshkosh, Madison and Milwaukee Ğ cities where crews filmed."Public Enemies" director Michael Mann filmed in the Midwest where Indiana-born Dillinger's gang killed 10 men, wounded seven, robbed banks and police arsenals and staged three jailbreaks, according to the FBI. Crews filmed in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin Dells, Columbus, Darlington, Beaver Dam and around Mirror Lake in Wisconsin; in Crown Point, Indiana; in Chicago and in Los Angeles.
Depp stars as Dillinger, and Christian Bale co-stars as FBI agent Melvin Purvis. Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard plays Depp's love interest, Billie Frechette.
Dramatic events
One of the most dramatic events in the Dillinger story took place at the Little Bohemia Lodge in northern Wisconsin in April 1934. Dillinger and his gang went there to relax and hide from the FBI, but a family member of the owner informed agents, who staged a disorganized and disastrous raid, firing hundreds of bullets. An FBI agent and a bar patron were killed and another FBI agent, a constable and two other guests were wounded. Dillinger and others jumped from a second-floor window and escaped through the woods.
One of the few witnesses still alive is Emil Wanatka, 83, who now lives in Ashland, Wisconsin. He was 8 when the six men and four women came to stay at his father's lodge and restaurant. He remembers playing catch with Dillinger and George "Baby Face" Nelson and having to end the game because Nelson threw too hard. Wanatka said Dillinger gave him a quarter so he could buy everyone ice cream at an upcoming birthday party.
Wanatka, who later took over the lodge for 31 years before selling it, said the building’s history helped business, with "Bullet-hole customers" coming to see the holes Ğ still visible today. "All the other things that have happened in the world and.... this has just never died," he said. "It's been part of my life ever since I can remember."
Though Wanatka is mentioned in Burrough's book, he doesn't know if he will make it into the movie. He was on set last summer and took a photo with Depp and other cast members.
Officials plan to go all out in Oshkosh, where tourists spent an estimated $3.5 million during more than three weeks of setup and filming, said Wendy K. Hielsberg of the Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The Wisconsin tourism department has created itineraries on its Web site of locations in the state from the movie and those related to other notorious criminals, such as gangster Al Capone, as well as an illustrated map and video guide.
"Visiting the old battle sites of the war on crime, it's eerie," said author Bryan Burrough, whose book "Public Enemies, America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34" was used to help craft the screenplay for the film.
"Almost all these places still exist," he said. "A few of them have historical markers, but ... if you walk down the pavement where Dillinger was killed, you would never know it. You would have had to read a book or know something about Dillinger." Universal Studios and Film Wisconsin, a group that promotes filming in the state, are planning movie premieres and parties June 30 in Oshkosh, Madison and Milwaukee Ğ cities where crews filmed."Public Enemies" director Michael Mann filmed in the Midwest where Indiana-born Dillinger's gang killed 10 men, wounded seven, robbed banks and police arsenals and staged three jailbreaks, according to the FBI. Crews filmed in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin Dells, Columbus, Darlington, Beaver Dam and around Mirror Lake in Wisconsin; in Crown Point, Indiana; in Chicago and in Los Angeles.
Depp stars as Dillinger, and Christian Bale co-stars as FBI agent Melvin Purvis. Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard plays Depp's love interest, Billie Frechette.
Dramatic events
One of the most dramatic events in the Dillinger story took place at the Little Bohemia Lodge in northern Wisconsin in April 1934. Dillinger and his gang went there to relax and hide from the FBI, but a family member of the owner informed agents, who staged a disorganized and disastrous raid, firing hundreds of bullets. An FBI agent and a bar patron were killed and another FBI agent, a constable and two other guests were wounded. Dillinger and others jumped from a second-floor window and escaped through the woods.
One of the few witnesses still alive is Emil Wanatka, 83, who now lives in Ashland, Wisconsin. He was 8 when the six men and four women came to stay at his father's lodge and restaurant. He remembers playing catch with Dillinger and George "Baby Face" Nelson and having to end the game because Nelson threw too hard. Wanatka said Dillinger gave him a quarter so he could buy everyone ice cream at an upcoming birthday party.
Wanatka, who later took over the lodge for 31 years before selling it, said the building’s history helped business, with "Bullet-hole customers" coming to see the holes Ğ still visible today. "All the other things that have happened in the world and.... this has just never died," he said. "It's been part of my life ever since I can remember."
Though Wanatka is mentioned in Burrough's book, he doesn't know if he will make it into the movie. He was on set last summer and took a photo with Depp and other cast members.
Officials plan to go all out in Oshkosh, where tourists spent an estimated $3.5 million during more than three weeks of setup and filming, said Wendy K. Hielsberg of the Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau.