I must point out here The Soprano's was not reality TV, like MTV's Jersey Shore, Bravo's New Jersey Housewives, or E's Jerseylicous!
'Boardwalk Empire' is directed by Martin Scorsase and is based on history and the book, Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City. The screenplay is from the Soprano's writer and producer Terrance Winter.
'Boardwalk Empire' chronicles the life and times of Mayor Enoch "Nucky" Thompson. In real life Atlantic City the power broker during prohibition was Nucky Johnson. Could be the name was changed because many of Nucky's relatives still live in the area.
Through most of the 20th century, Atlantic City was controlled by a powerful partnership of local politicians and racketeers, as were most cities in NJ. Funded by payoffs from gambling rooms, bars, and brothels, this corrupt alliance in Atlantic City reached full bloom during the reign of Nucky Johnson — the second of three bosses to head the Republican machine that dominated city politics and society.
Johnson’s three-decades-long regime toppled as a result of a conviction on federal tax-evasion charges in 1941. A trial jury convicted him of evading $125,000 in taxes. He was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and when paroled he had little ambition to regain his political power. Hap Farley was then solidly in control of the Atlantic City regime.
Costumes, cars and history if any of this interests you, check out 'Boardwalk Empire' on HBO Sunday evening.
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