Since the news has come out today about the filming up at Little Bohemia, I thought his would be a great day to discuss it.

This is a great site with tons of pictures (then and now) and lots of info about the history of what happened there in April of 1934.

There were many negative emotions just under the surface for Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson and their group. Depression, heartsickness, fatalism, fear, envy and resentment. They were being watched, Dillinger didn't feel safe.


Purvis got a tip that Dillinger, "the man he wanted" was up at the Little Bohemia Lodge. Purvis phoned Hoover, men were rounded up and put on planes.

At the end of the debacle, three of the gang's women were arrested, Burrough writes "Two men were dead, and Dillinger was gone."

"It was one of the worst public relations fiascoes in FBI history. The FBI had killed an innocent man and wounded two others, while one agent was killed, one wounded and a third lawman seriously injured." Read more here.



What thoughts do you have about Little Bohemia? What runs through your mind about this?

I think that the original FBI strategy illustrates lack of complete planning by a novice group of officers. The officers were nervous and excited at the prospect of catching Dillinger but unfortunately started shooting before identifying the gang members. Dillinger reminds me of a fox- he can be seen and almost seems to within reach but picks up the scent of danger and quickly moves on. The FBI simply "screwed up" this attempt to apprehend Dillinger and his gang. I think Dillinger got a real sense of satisfaction of escaping from the FBI without really exchanging any serious gunfire. I look forward to this part of the film. :thumbsup Anne r

Me too Anne, this should have been a "head 'em up....mooooooooooooove 'em out" deal for Purvis, Hoover and the other boys.

I thought this was just so sad that those innocent people ended up being killed and yes, what a debacle for the FBI--just amazing all the errors that occurred at LB. I, too, am looking forward to this part of the film, should be a real "shoot'em up" scene for sure. However, sad as it was, it was another learning experience for the FBI and Purvis was no dummy, so he gained some real knowledge about how "slipper" Dillinger could be--like you're analogy Anne, like a fox. This could be a very powerful part of the film and I hope we get some reports when filming ends up here.

-Donna

I hope I can make this clear.

What I found reading this was how "our" experience has changed. At that time the FBI was a shadow of what it would become in power and ability. As I was reading I kept thinking, how nuts Dillinger was to think he could escape. And then I would stop and realize I was thinking about it with a 2008 view. Dillinger had no reason to think he might not have a chance to get away. (does this make sense?) There was no history to make him think otherwise. I think this added to his ability to outfox them. He was daring at the right time.

A little off topic, but I've been searching for the tidbit sKaren refers to below:
Since the news has come out today about the filming up at Little Bohemia, I thought his would be a great day to discuss it.

Where is the news item? I missed it somewhere.

Holly :blink:

The thoughts that I keep thinking about are that I think things really needed to happen the way they did. They were so young and inexperienced. I really think that they needed something major like this to go wrong so that they could start to clean up their act a bit and start thinking about a real way to get things done. They just were not acting like a team/or organized well.

Yes Holly, this was a whole new era in fighting crime. Look at all of the "public enemies" around this time, and Capone before...something had to be done. Sadly, it was a learning experience for the FBI then, (all the mishaps),and I would imagine helped shaped the FBI we know today.

-Donna

Yes you make perfect sense! He had no reason on earth to think that it wouldn't work! He was daring, good word! He was also "cocky" to use a 1930s word.

Here you go Holly! http://johnnydeppreads.com/index.php?showtopic=5118

Little Bohemia was just confirmed as a filming location. :)

Clearly lack of communication within the G-men was the down fall.

I really like your line of thinking, because I was thinking the same thing! LOL

Everytime they thought they could escape, I would think NO WAY! Then the FBI would botch things up and I'd just be shaking my head in amazement.

I think Little Bo is just one of the saddest things, innocent people were killed and not one of the "gangsters." I can't help but wonder how how things could have been done differently. But then we are looking back 74 years...

Ty on Brinder's blog posted his new report and some news pics of what's going on up there right now, as they get ready for the filming...take a peek here for today's report and be sure to keep a sharp eye for the link to his photo album!