Before Michael Mann's Public Enemies, There Was Crime Story

On September 18th, 1986 following Miami Vice, a 2 hour pilot would introduce Del Shannon, Dennis Farina, and the coolness of 1963 to an eleven year old kid.


Season One Intro (Chicago)


Season Two Intro (Vegas)

Before Mad Men, Lt. Mike Torello (Dennis Farina) was kickin' ass and takin' names while Ray Luca (Anthony Dennison) was just plain kickin' ass. Produced by Michael Mann after his success with Miami Vice, Crime Story first took place in the streets of Chicago, later moving to Las Vegas, both highly stylized and were as much characters of the show as the rest of the cast.


Chicago Department Store Robbery (wait for the background music)

Guest appearances included David Caruso, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Deborah Harry, Gary Sinise, Ving Rhames, Christian Slater, Stanley Tucci, David Hyde Pierce, Michael Madsen & Andrew Dice Clay. The character of Ray Luca (Anthony Denison) was based on Chicago mobster Tony "The Ant" Spilotro, who also inspired Joe Pesci's character of Nicky Santoro in "Casino". In addition, Andrew "Dice" Clay's character, Max Goldman and Robert DeNiro's character of Sam "Ace" Rothstien in "Casino" are both based on Spilotro's partner, Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal.


Opening scene season One

Unfortunately the show was bounced between time slots on Friday and Tuesday evenings, unable to find a steady audience and was cancelled after only 2 seasons.

On a side note, Del Shannon's Runaway is on rotation on the ipod.

Introducing Something New...

I never thought of myself as a writer. I still don't consider myself one. I like to think of myself as an informer, as a collector, and appreciator. There are plenty of blogs for guys to read and explore, but just a handful that go above and beyond. They excel at what they do and should be proud of the service they provide. I consider myself fortunate to have been accepted by a small group of them.

Even though I may not post very often, I try to post original and fresh topics that I am passionate about. I enjoy the process of constructing and researching for my blog and continue to find interesting things through out the web as well as from my life. That being said, I have created an additional place for me to share those things those things with you. Please allow me to introduce File Under "C".

As the name states, everything will be inspired by things that can be filed by the letter "C". I came to the realization that the things I want, desire, covet, & grew up with all begin with that simple letter. Cars, clothes, comic books, chicks (not P.C. nor extremely accurate, lets just call it poetic license) are just some of the subject matter. With each set of posts I will try and create a story or at least a common thread. When possible I will also give pertinent information regarding each photo.

I hope you enjoy viewing as much as I will. Your comments and feedback are always welcome and appreciated.

Josh

Did You Remember Your Umbrella?

With the current trend in weather (rain, rain, & more rain) I found myself thinking about umbrellas. They are what drive me most batty when the sun decides to take a break. Carrying one, bobbing and weaving others in the streets, remembering to take mine with me when I get out of a cab or the subway, etc. etc.

Many have tried to design the coolest, smallest, easiest to open or close but none have really figured it out...they are still awkward little things.

However, every once in a while, amongst the little old lady chasing hers down the street in the wind or the "Sex in the City" wannabe on 23rd street trying to keep hers from flying away, there is that one person who makes the use of an umbrella look effortless.

A little something more recent from our friends at Street Etiquette.

Boneville Salt Flats 1953, '54 & As Seen In Top Gear

Going to let the photos speak for themselves & the guys from Top Gear do the talking...

Bonneville Salt Flats:

1955 - 1957 Ford Thunderbird

Sinatra had one, Bing had one, the "mysterious blonde" in American Graffiti had one, & my father had one when I was a kid. No matter where we went, people would stop us...men, women, young, old...didn't matter.

as found in Edmunds

If Chevrolet hadn't introduced the 1953 Corvette it's likely that Ford never would have felt compelled to develop the Thunderbird in response. But though the T-Bird was a response to it, Ford's two-seater was a distinctly different machine from GM's plastic-bodied sports car.

First of all, the Thunderbird's body, like that of all other Fords, was made of steel. Second, the Thunderbird was available solely with a V8 engine unlike the Corvette which started life with a straight six and only added the V8 as an option for 1955. And third, the Thunderbird wasn't trying very hard to pretend it was a sports car.

The Thunderbird went on sale October 22, 1954, and quickly overwhelmed the Corvette in sales volume. Ford had thought it would sell about 10,000 examples that first year, but found itself unable to keep up with demand and eventually knocked out 16,155 examples during the debut model year (production ran deep into September of '55 when the 1956 model Fords were already in showrooms). That was more than five times the number of Corvettes Chevrolet built that year — and all this despite a price tag that started at $2,695 but could run easily past $3,800 with options.







This video was just too entertaining not to post...some parts may be considered inappropriate today in some circles...in my opinion it was just a simpler time. Let me know what you think...

My Memorial Day & A Boeing CH-46 Sea Knight

Took my 5 year old nephew to a Marine helicopter raid demonstration this weekend. It was a worthwhile break from all the barbecue's and a great way to meet some Marines both active and retired and show some respect. Below are some photos and videos from the event.

Please excuse the shaky video.

Frederic Remington

I can still remember the first time I saw it. The Bronco Buster. I was only a kid, but something about that sculpture mesmerized me. My dad had received a copy as a gift and thus began my appreciation for Mr. Remington. Years later I would get out of the elevator at the Ralph Lauren corporate offices on Madison Avenue and there it was, a Frederic Remington statue.

There is no one as influential at capturing the imagery of the Old West other than Frederic Remington.





Born 1861 in Canton, NY, he attended Yale studying Fine Art but did not graduate. He would move west for a short period of time only to return back east to Brooklyn then New Rochelle where he would spend the remainder of his life.




Remington found a career as an artist only after trying his hand a few times as a rancher. His numerous attempts failed and in1886 Harper's Weekly sent him to Arizona to cover the first of many important moments in U.S. history, the U.S. governments war against Geronimo.




1895 would find Remington attempting his first venture in sculpture. The Bronco Buster was born. Tiffany's would sell bronze copies and additional pieces would follow.

His career included forging a life long relationship with a young Teddy Roosevelt, being published in Colliers, Harper's, Cosmopolitan, & the New York Journal, as well as writing numerous novels. Frederic Remington passed away in December of 1909.

It was extremely difficult to choose which pieces to post, all of them are incredible.