06/30/2009 Public Enemies premiere
7/3/2009
06/30/2009 Public Enemies premiere
June 30, 2009 Lawton showcases commitment to Wisconsin’s creative economy at Public Enemies premiere
Lt. Governor Lawton welcomed a crowd of more than 200 people to the Milwaukee County Historical Society Tuesday for the red carpet advance screening of the movie Public Enemies. She celebrated the importance of the film and video game industry in creating jobs for Wisconsin.
Proceeds from the premiere were donated to the Milwaukee County Historical Society and Film Wisconsin.
Pictured Left) Lawton with Bob Teske of the Milwaukee County Historical Society and Scott Robbe of Film Wisconsin.
The tax incentives for the film and video game industry led by Lt. Governor Lawton were essential in attracting the film to Wisconsin where NBC/Universal spent $7.5 million on Wisconsin salaries and Wisconsin vendors. The movie details the attempts of FBI agent Melvin Purvis to thwart criminals John Dillinger, Babyface Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd.
Dillinger, played by Johnny Depp, robbed banks across the Midwest in the 1930s and was named “public enemy number one” by the FBI for his crime sprees. After robbing a bank in Racine, Dillinger later spent time hiding from the FBI with his gang in Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters, where an eventual FBI shootout caused him to flee to Chicago.
Portions of Public Enemies were filmed in Columbus, Milwaukee, Manitowish Waters, Oshkosh, Beaver Dam and even the state capitol building. The Milwaukee County Historical Society received a $100,000 location fee from NBC Universal Studios and an additional $150,000 in renovations to restore the building to its original state as a bank.
This summer, go experience the rich lore and legend of Wisconsin's history and a little Hollywood magic for yourself. Visit the “Gangster Tour” website hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism at TravelWisconsin.com or click here. The itinerary will guide you through some of Wisconsin's most notorious locations.
