Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly (left), Renee Zellweger
as Roxie Hart in “Chicago” (center left), Belva Gaertner
(center right) and Beulah Annan
How is it “iconic” hasn’t become a “banned word” yet?
By the way, that’s the only movie where Rene Zellweger is attractive. They must have locked her in her dressing room while the buffets were open.
It’s not a movie character, but I had read that Buddy Sorell from the Dick Van Dyke Show was based on Mel Brooks.
That seals it. My life will never be on the big screen.
In a form of poetic justice, the beautiful murderess Beulah Annan died of tuberculosis at the Chicago Municipal Sanitarium within a few years of her acquittal. Belva Gaertner eventually reconciled with her husband.
One factor glossed over by many films is that Illinois did not permit female jurors until 1938 (long after women were permitted to vote). As such, it was standard practice for defense attorneys to permit female clients to swoon and engage in “woe is me” tactics for the jury.
One of the best movies ever made is now a little diminished for me.
I wish “the Dude” had remained a fictional character based on a conglomeration of old hippies I know.
LA Police chief William Parker inspired the characters of Joe Friday of Dragnet, via Jack Webb, and Mr Spock of Star Trek
via Gene Roddenberry