We originally posted this on May 30, 2008 while Public Enemies was being filmed. Now that the movie is out, we thought we'd bring these images back for a second look. Enjoy!
Yesterday while driving down Lincoln Avenue, we very accidentally (honest!) stumbled upon the set for Johnny Depp's upcoming movie Public Enemies (about John Dillinger). With time to kill, my friend and I parked the car and roamed around the amazingly designed storefronts circa 1925. We definitely geeked out on this one. Here are just a few of our images -- the most Apartment Therapy-eque ones including an appliance store, furniture store, grocery displays, and a newsstand featuring Redbook and Better Homes & Gardens:
I live right around the corner so I've had fun walking down there and watching them film. No Johnny sightings as of yet unfortunately.
view DLT's profile
I interviewed Johnny Depp and Christian Bale when they were filming near Madison. They're using the state capitol as the FBI offices. From what I saw them filming it looks like it should be a great movie.
view soroecker's profile
I'm loving those "Ul-Eat-More" canned tomatoes!
view bepsf's profile
Wow, it's being filmed in Madison too! I love that my current city and my former city are involved in this and will have to watch it if only for that.
view MCNicole's profile
Oh fun! Great photos!
view mrsmc's profile
Wow, I didn't realize that silicone butt joint glazing was around in the inter-war era.
It looks cool, but I always find that this era is always portrayed as drabber and poorer than it really was. Storefronts from that era were joyous and bright.
view dn's profile
Interesting! I'd love better photos with no glare on the windows to print and hang up. Anyway, can anyone let me know if the text on the newspapers is accurate, maybe the real front pages from a particular day in that time period? I'm one of those people who pause the DVD to look at magazine covers and newspapers to see if the set designer was REALLY on the ball or just phoning it in!
view kuroneko's profile
I'm surprised you don't have pictures of the Biograph! They made it look just like it did on the night he was shot
see link:
http://www.peterspioneers.com/Biograph.jpg
view N04's profile
That's always cool to see the behind-the-scenes with historical/period pieces.
Too bad the film was a giant steaming pile of turd.
view ErikTheRed's profile
I live 2 blocks away!
view maybeamezzo's profile
I love how they recreate an era.
view Newburgh Restoration's profile
Although I didn't find it to be a steaming pile, I agree with Erikthered about Public Enemies being a turf. really dissapointing. The talent of a great cast was wasted on a subpar script. What should have been a film as strong as Heat given the storyline and cast was barely acceptable as a made for Cinemax biopic.
view Seaside's profile
"Transient rooms"—yes, that really meshes well with the "Tourists welcome" sign ...
view Alaricus's profile