Suburban theater, park, jail get big exposure in 'Public Enemies'

It's safe to say that most viewers of the newly released gangster flick "Public Enemies" will have a hard time looking away from Johnny Depp's movie-star face.

In certain scenes, though, some suburbanites will be focused not on Depp, but on the ornately detailed ceiling above him.

The Paramount Theater in downtown Aurora is one of many Chicago-area sites that will appear in the film, which was directed by Chicago native Michael Mann and tells the story of legendary Depression-era gangster John Dillinger.

Film crews set up shop inside the Paramount in April, while delirious Depp fans congregated outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of the popular star.

"We tried to carry on with business as usual," said Melissa Mercado, the Paramount's director of marketing. "So I didn't see any movie stars. But the atmosphere around here was definitely a little different that day, and I loved seeing what I could of the film crews in action."

Mercado said the Paramount was chosen because of its colorful, art deco-inspired look. The theater was built in 1931 - right around the time that the real Dillinger committed his most high-profile crimes - and its interior shines with the intricate decor, bold color and gold accents common to the style.

"I saw a trailer for the film last night, and there was our ceiling behind Johnny Depp!" Mercado said. "I thought that was so cool!"

Depp took time out from his shooting schedule to visit and sign autographs with fans outside the Paramount. The theater hopes to book "Public Enemies" during its second run, and might plan some special activities around it.

"This is a great facility, and it would be awesome to get a little boost from the movie," Mercado said.

Of course, the Paramount isn't the only local site to appear in the film; the makers of "Public Enemies" actually used locations all over the Chicago area. The Illinois Film Office reports that the production pumped $46.7 million into the Illinois economy, making it the biggest movie ever made in Illinois. It eclipsed last year's "The Dark Knight," which pumped slightly less than $40 into the economy.

Other sites in the city and suburbs used in the film include Chicago's Union Station; the Aragon Ballroom at 1106 W. Lawrence Ave.; the lobby of the Auditorium Theater, 50 E. Congress Parkway; the Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet; and the Palos Hills Forest Preserve in Willow Springs.