Oshkosh, Wis., fetes 'Public Enemies' role

OSHKOSH, Wis., July 1 (UPI) -- The Wisconsin city of Oshkosh, where key scenes of the 1930s gangster movie "Public Enemies" were filmed, is celebrating its role, observers say.

The town hosted a day-long event Tuesday capped by a special advance screening of the Johnny Depp movie, a day ahead of its national roll-out. Oshkosh residents who took part in the film as extras dressed in period clothes and tours were given of the 1927 bank used in the movie, Gannett Wisconsin Media reported.

On the agenda was a free lunchtime concert and a VIP fundraiser to help pay for facade renovations for the city of 63,000's historic downtown buildings and for Film Wisconsin, a semi-public, non-profit group that attempts to lure Hollywood filmmakers to shoot movies in the state, the news agency said.

"Oshkosh has so many good qualities no one knows about," said Tim Cook of nearby Butte des Morts, Wis. "This is a chance for people from outside the community to find out what we already know about Oshkosh and maybe take for granted sometimes."

"It's great for Oshkosh," resident Jerry Clark told Gannett.