Kansas City

Kansas City Then and Now (Then & Now Thunder Bay)
$18.95
I bought this book when it first came out and found some Major errors in the building histories and in the current descriptions of buildings. Obviously this is one of those slap it together and get it on the shelf kind of Not very serious looks at a city kind of books. There are several examples but one that sticks out is the Kansas City Masonic temple located at 9th and Harrison built in 1911 and still being used by the Freemasons. According to the author it is vacant falling down and will be gone soon! In her "Now" picture the lights are on at the front of the building! Just sloppy work the sign of a true amature. The story according to the Masons is the building has been continually occupied since 1911 and there are currently 8 masonic bodies who meet at 9th and Harrison and the building is currently under going renovations in preperation for the buildings 100 Year anniversary. Many great names of Kansas City History have been members there and the membership have plans well into the future for that building.

The Mafia and the Machine: The Story of the Kansas City Mob
$22.00
Every one who is intersted in the Mafia and Kansas City should read this one. Great book with lots of great insights.

Insiders' Guide to Kansas City, 3rd (Insiders' Guide Series)
$18.95
This makes a great gift to those that are new to the area or to those that would like to explore their home town. Makes a great coffee table book. I constantly refer to my copy when deciding where to dine or what to do on the weekend. I have bought several copies to give as gifts to friends and relatives.

Kansas City
$19.98
This movie proceeds at a pace similar to that of a sultry summer day in Kansas City, slow and meandering. A woman's husband falls in with oganized crime and to get him back she kidnaps the wife of a politician. The problem is she can't seem to plan beyond the next five minutes. She really should have thanked the gangsters for taking her husband then used the opportunity to get a real life, but she fashions herself and him as Bonnie and Clyde wannabes.

The movie uses Kansas City blues music to transition from scene to scene, which is very well played, but adds little but annoyance to the progress of the film. The characters meander through scenes without much emotion leading the viewer to wish the whole film could be fast forwarded to the next scene.

The setting is the Great Depression, but other than the motly crew of voters brought in to rig a local election, no one seems to be suffering from economic distress. All of the cars appear to be brand new and the buildings are neat and tidy. No signs of poverty are anywhere to be seen. In the end the husband and wife get their just rewards and the film comes to a merciful close. The viewer is left asking what was the point of this whole thing?