The film "Turn
Left on Hastings Street," had its premier showing in Albion
on December 20. It was not what was expected by those who promoted
it. If you would like to find out more, read the review from the
Albion Recorder.
Albion Recorder Review
by Managing Editor Bill Bridges:
'Turn
Left' an unfortunate disaster
Albion E-news sent
a blanket apology for the event,
with some insights on Albion's citizen's trusting nature.
The following information
was published to promote the film that was supposed to be about
the Purple Gang's connection to Albion.
Dec. 14, 2002 - From
the ALBION E-NEWS - A Service of the Forks Initiative (www.forks.org)
"Keeping the community current"
MOVIE TO PREMIER IN ALBION NEXT FRIDAY
"Turn Left On Hastings Street," an R-rated film about
the notorious Purple Gang partially filmed in Albion, will premier
at the New Bohm Theatre in downtown Albion on Friday, Dec. 20.
Three show times have been scheduled: 5 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m.
The Albion Downtown Development Authority and Greater Albion Chamber
of Commerce are inviting the public to help celebrate the event
by dining at Cascarelli's prior to the showing(s). The price includes
complimentary hors d' oeuvres and 'bathtub' punch, and features
a prime rib or chicken cordon bleu dinner. Dinner seatings are
from 5-5:30 p.m. and 7:30-8 p.m. The film is a production of independent
filmmaker Cliff Lance's DMK film Studios. Vintage costumes and
reservations are encouraged.
Cost of the dinner is $15; cost for the movie is also $15 making
the total price of the dinner plus premier package $30.
For more information
call the Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce at (517) 629-5533.
Nov. 14, 2002 - From
the ALBION E-NEWS -
'TURN LEFT ON HASTINGS
STREET' CONTINUES FILMING An original independently produced film
which recently shot footage in Albion is now on the road to Idlewild,
Michigan. Cliff Lance, an independent filmmaker with DKM Film
Studios has been filming 'Turn Left On Hastings Street,' a gritty
look at the notorius Purple Gang, that once haunted the streets
of mid-Michigan.
On Saturday, Nov. 16,
at 9 a.m., University Theater Director, Katherine LaPiatra will
lend actors from Ferris State University film school, to team
up with DKM Films cast and crewÝ at the Flamingo Club, in Idlewild.
County Supervisor, Donel Brown, has made the historical club available
as Lance retells his period piece ofÝthe exploits of Michiganís
Purple Gang from the 1920ís to the Golden Days of Idlewild, in
the 40ís and then wraps up the story in Detroit in the 1970ís.
Lance says he and his
crew have filmed in more than 20 Michigan cities, incorporating
local actors into the film. ìTurn Left On Hastings Streetî, is
the raw, brutal, earthy and poignant story of a street and a gang
that became a legend in their own time," says Lance.Ý"Hastings
Street, in the 1920ís, with the help of Prohibition, spawned a
notorious group of gangsters known as the PurpleÝGang.
ÝThough not as well
known as the Capones, and Dillingers of the same time period,
the Purples were a integral fixture of the gangster era." Lance
adds that although the Gang were "feared by many - they also played
Robin Hood to others.ÝHeaded by the Bernstein brothers, they battled
with Chicagoís Al Capone for control of the lucrative bootleg
industry - which got a leg up on the rest of the country when
MichiganÝpassed the Damon Act, in 1917, giving the Purples a jump
on the rest of the country.
The rest of the county
didnít come on board until two years later with the passage of
the National law, the Volsted Act." Al Slater, of Canduit Productions
of Los Angeles, will handle national distribution of the feature
which, according to Lance, will have a Dec. 20 gala premier in
Albion.
As in the recent Albion
filming, Lance says extras dressed in 40ís attire are welcome
at the Idewild site. "If youíve a desire to be an extra in the
film ìTurn Left On Hastings Street/The Ghosts of the Purple Gangî,
or have vintage cars or clothing from the 1940ís, then come to
the Flamingo Club, in Idlewild, dressed in 40ís attire on Saturday,
Nov. 16, at 9 a.m.," invites Lance. (Directions to Flamingo Club,
Idlewild, MI:Ý take US 10 to Broadway(This is a Flashing Light),
go South on Broadway to MLK (Martin Luther King) Dr. turn right
on MLK dr. go two and a half blocks, to Flamingo Club. Beige bldg.
with brown trim. (Shoot time 9 a.m.)Ý
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