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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau
Kimberly Schmitz
Director of Communications & PR
kschmitz@visitTucson.org
800.638.8350
Historic Hotel Congress Celebrates Release of Dillinger Film "Public Enemies"
TUCSON, Ariz. (June 16, 2009) - Downtown Tucson's historic Hotel Congress will host a Dillinger-themed festival on July 1 to celebrate the release of Universal Pictures' Public Enemies, which details the incredible true story of famed Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger.
Public Enemies - starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard - opens in theaters July 1. Beginning at 5 p.m., Hotel Congress will celebrate the film's release with:
- $19.34 prix fixe dinner featuring specialties from the era (reservations suggested)
- 5 p.m. and 7p.m. lectures
- Hotel Congress tours and the Dillinger Story by John Dillinger (John Minks)
- Period music by El Camino Royale featuring Jimmy Carr on Vibes.
- Best Costume Contest (winners receive tickets to Public Enemies premiere)
- Model A Club cars staged in Hotel Congress parking lot
- Dillinger Sidecar drink specials
For more information, visit: http://www.hotelcongress.com/
The Story: Dillinger's Tucson Capture
In January 1934, the infamous John Dillinger and his gang were the focus of a nation-wide hunt. After stealing more than $200,000 from banks, breaking out of jail twice and killing three police officers, the Old Pueblo seemed like the perfect place to lay low.
In this small western town with a population of less than 35,000, the gang thought they'd be safe. The seven-member crew quickly found a house to rent near the University of Arizona, but since the rental wasn't ready for move-in, they decided to stay at Hotel Congress - under aliases, of course.
When a fire broke out in the basement of the hotel on Jan. 22, it spread to the third floor through the elevator shaft. The gang managed to escape, sans their "luggage" (which contained booty and firearms). A $12 reward to a couple of firefighters got them their loot back, but their faces were now on the radar: The firefighters had seen the gang's pictures in True Detective Magazine. The connection was made, and they tipped off Tucson Police.
In the space of five hours, without firing a single shot, Tucson Police did what the combined forces of several states and the FBI had failed to do: Nab Public Enemy No. 1. When captured, Dillinger simply muttered, "Well, I'll be damned."
The MTCVB is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Tucson area as a convention, visitor and film production destination. It is financially supported by the City of Tucson, Pima County, the Town of Oro Valley and its nearly 800 individual and business members.
Visit the MTCVB website at http://www.visittucson.org/ or call 1.800.638.8350 for further information.
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