The new dance which is fast replacing the Charleston.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Meet Your Neighborhood Gangster: Bugs Moran
George "Bugs" Moran Bugs Moran was a henchman for the "North Side Gang", formerly run by slain Dean O'Banion, who's death Moran swore to avenge against the South Side gangsters, Al Capone and Johnny Torrio.
One night a gun toting Moran waited outside Torrio's home. As Torrio arrived home from shopping with his wife, Moran openend fire. Torrio collapsed instantly, as Moran walked to Torrio's almost lifeless body, he aimed his gun directly at Torrio's head.
As Moran attempted to deliver the final shot into Torrio's skull, however the gun has run out of ammunition, forcing Moran to flee the scene.
It was now time to go after Al Capone. After several unsuccessful attempts to kill Capone, a peace treaty was made between the two rivals. However Moran still continued to knock off many of Capone's "staff".
Capone decided to end it once and for all by planning the St Valentine's Day Massacre. The intent was to get rid of Moran and his gang, however as Capone's gang pulled up outside, disquised as a cop car, Moran, fearing a raid, left through the back entrance and escaped the bloody carnage that was the fate of his gang.
An Acre of Seats in a Magic City
Built as a movie palace, the Uptown Theatre officially held its grand opening August 18, 1925.The Uptown Theatre is the largest movie palace in the country covering 46,000 square feet of land and containing 4,380 seats.
On opening day, over 12,000 people stood in line to become part of the Uptown's very first audience.
The theatre had a staff of 130, including nurses, firemen and a 34-piece orchestra to provide accompaniment for the then silent movies.
Sit on This Pole!
FLAGPOLE SITTING SWEEPS THE NATION!! A dare placed upon stuntman "Shipwreck" Kelly, to sit upon a flagpole, creates a booming fad around the country.
Kelly initially sat on the pole for 13 hours and 13 mintues. Other record breaking times included 12, 17 and 21 days.
Not to be outdone on his own stunt, Kelly decide to create a new world record and in 1929 sat atop a flagpole for a stunning 49 days!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Meet Your Neighborhood Gangster: Dean O'Banion
Dean (Dion) O'Banion
O'Banion, known as a homebody and family man, had a successful business supplying flowers and garlands for mobsters funerals... it has been heard that if one was short a body for a funeral, he could supply that as well.
Of course, from the back room of his flower shop, O'Banion planned liqour hijackings which gave roots to a very profitable bootlegging industry, providing hooch to Chicago's Gold Coast and North Side slums.
Having invested in a large brewery, O'Banion was tipped that the police were planning to raid the establishment. Acting quickly, O'Banion sold his interests in the brewery to a Johnny Torrio, a rival South Side gangster, who was then arrested during the raid.
Torrio was yet to have his revenge. On November 10, 1924, three men arrived at O'Banion's flower shop to discuss the arrangements for a funeral. Upon entering, O'Banion held out his hand to greet the lead man, who reciprocated with a tight death grip. The two other men brutally shot O'Banion in the face and chest.
O'Banion was given one of the most lavish funerals in Chicago history. He had a $10,000 bronze casket, complete with golden candlesticks and silver angels at either end. His funeral attracted over 20,000 spectators, including rivals Al Capone and none other than Johnny Torrio.
O'Banion's most devoted henchman, George "Bugs" Moran, looking Capone and Torrio in the eye, swore then and there to avenge O'Banion's death. This vow sparked a 5 year gangland war eventually ending with the ruthless and bloody St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
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