Minnesota Historical Society | Page 31

Scene of the murder of Walter W. Liggett

Scene of the murder of Walter W. Liggett, Minneapolis,1935.

Walter W. Liggett and his wife

Walter W. Liggett and his wife, possibly during his trial on a rape charge, 1935.

Newspaper headline announcing Kid Cann’s 1934 conviction

Front page headline and article from the Minneapolis Star (March 13, 1934) reporting on the conviction of Isadore Blumenfeld (Kid Cann) and sentencing to the workhouse for his participation in an illegal alcohol syndicate.

Kid Cann

Kid Cann, ca. 1935. Photo by George E. Luxton.

Blumenfeld, Isadore “Kid Cann” (1900–1981)

In the annals of Minneapolis crime one man occupies the place held by Al Capone in Chicago and Meyer Lansky in New York and Miami: Isadore Blumenfeld, also known as Kid Cann. He was a lifelong criminal who made fortunes in liquor, gambling, labor racketeering (all protected through political corruption), and real estate. Only late in life did he serve more than a year in prison. He retired in Florida and died rich.

Original Guthrie Theater

Front view of the original location of the Guthrie Theater (725 Vineland Place), 1974.

Audience of the Guthrie Theater's first production

The audience of the first performance of the Guthrie Theater (725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis), May 7, 1963.

Guthrie Theater

The Guthrie Theater was one of the first major resident theaters to be established in the United States. It was founded by Tyrone Guthrie, Oliver Rea, and Peter Zeisler, who wanted to bring a professional theater company with a classical repertoire to a relatively small American city. Minneapolis was chosen to be the home for Guthrie’s company, which has supported and inspired many artists in Minnesota and played a major role in developing the Twin Cities’ theater scene.