St. Michael Shutterbug Hits the Silver Screen

Sharon Johnson of St. Michael never thought she’d see this particular day.

Last spring, at the invitation of her sister and brother-in-law, Johnson made her way down the red carpet in front of the Mounds Theater, the historic movie house in downtown St. Paul.

“It was one of those ‘Never thought I’d be here,’ kind of moments,” she said, looking back.

Johnson, who grew up in St. Paul with her sister, served as chief still photographer on the independent movie “Gangsterland,” a look at St. Paul’s checkered past, when it was home to gangsters from far and wide.

The city’s hills, caves and warehouses were hideaways for everyone from Al Capone to the Barkers and “The Kissing Bandit,.” Edna Murray

Bick and Cynthia Smith put together the documentary, using local talent and, one day, reaching out to Johnson for her eye.

“They know that I love photography, and needed someone to do some of the promotional photos, as well as stills of the sets and things like that. It was really neat to see that side of things.”

Smith chose to make the film a documentary, and the actors help tell their story with portrayals, while interviewed figures – such as St. Paul Police, tell their story looking into the camera. Murray’s granddaughter is part of the interviews as well.

Johnson actually had a “bit part” in the production, playing “fearful lady.”

The Pioneer Press called the 41-minute tribute to St. Paul’s colorful past “handsome,” and it’s up for a four night run this weekend, starting tonight. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with a 9 p.m. late show on Saturday as well. Sunday’s matinee is at 2 p.m.

The film is also set to be shown at Hamline University sometime during the school year, Johnson said, and the Smiths are working with other outlets to make the movie widely available.

The DVD of “Gangsterland” can be purchased on the movie’s website, which also features many of Johnson’s still shots.