The captivating tale of Enoch “Nucky” Thompson’s reign over Atlantic City during the Prohibition era may seem too incredible to be true, but it is deeply rooted in reality. Nelson Johnson’s nonfiction book “Boardwalk Empire” provides an accurate account of the city’s history, with a particular focus on the fascinating character of Enoch Johnson, who inspired the HBO series’ Nucky Thompson. By delving into the true stories conveyed in Johnson’s book, we can see how the show effectively portrays the corruption and crime that defined the Roaring Twenties. However, we will also uncover the substantial differences between the real-life Johnson and his fictional counterpart, Thompson.
FLASH VIDEO OF THE DAY SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT RELATED: ‘Boardwalk Empire’ Never Surpassed Its Season 3 Villain Pre-Prohibition and The Commodore Image via HBO Before Prohibition, Atlantic City was already renowned as a vibrant resort town known for flouting the law. The city mainly attracted working-class patrons from Philadelphia seeking respite from their arduous jobs. Though newspapers and politicians occasionally voiced their outrage at the prevalence of brothels and gambling dens in A.C., little reform occurred. Almost everyone in Atlantic City either directly profited from illegal activities or knew someone who did. Additionally, the city’s “boss” system, headed by individuals like New York City’s William Tweed, allowed for the continuation of this illicit status quo. In Atlantic City’s early years, the boss was Louis Kuehnle, better known as “The Commodore.” He served as Nucky Thompson’s mentor in Boardwalk Empire, mirroring his real-life counterpart’s ascent to power as a prominent figure in the city’s business and political dealings. According to Johnson, The Commodore’s approval was necessary for any candidate, employee, city contract, or mercantile license. Corruption and Sheriff Johnson Image via HBO Sheriff Smith Johnson, an ally of The Commodore, served as his right-hand man during his unofficial reign over Atlantic City. In Boardwalk Empire, the character of Ethan Thompson, Nucky’s father, parallels the real-life Smith Johnson as the Atlantic County sheriff involved in corrupt dealings with The Commodore. The illegal businesses in The Commodore’s empire were largely funded through protection money paid to Johnson and others to prevent their establishments from being shut down. Johnson’s responsibilities in selecting jurors allowed him to ensure that anyone associated with The Commodore would always remain unindicted. For years, The Commodore and Sheriff Johnson wielded their power corruptly over Atlantic City.
Corruption: A Boon for Business Image via HBO Despite the undemocratic nature of this system of governance, The Commodore’s remarkable ability to solve the city’s problems won him widespread tolerance. He single-handedly dismantled a telephone monopoly, improved the boardwalk and roads, enhanced utility services, and established a new public transportation system. These infrastructure upgrades were beneficial for business and made The Commodore a beloved figure among many business owners. In addition to genuine support from the community, The Commodore utilized election fraud to bolster his political operation. As a Republican Party member, his workers paid individuals $2 per ballot to vote Republican. This resulted in multiple voting instances, and non-voters often faced harassment until they succumbed and went to the polls. The lopsided electoral victories secured by The Commodore earned him significant political influence throughout New Jersey.
The Rise of Nucky (The Real One) Image via HBO An investigation into election fraud was launched in 1911 by then-Governor Woodrow Wilson. Expectedly, a substantial amount of evidence implicated The Commodore in orchestrating widespread fraud. Among those named during the investigation was the newly appointed sheriff, Enoch Johnson, the son of Smith Johnson. Although Enoch, soon known as Nucky, was indicted, he and most others connected to The Commodore were acquitted thanks to sympathetic jurors. Nucky made a name for himself in court by boldly defying the Attorney General. After The Commodore was sentenced to a year in prison, Nucky swiftly emerged as his successor. Upon The Commodore’s return to Atlantic City, he discovered that Nucky had risen to power as the local leader of the Republican Party. Despite The Commodore’s enduring popularity, Nucky essentially seized much of his influence while keeping him at arm’s length by supporting his bid for City Commissioner. This allowed Nucky to control Atlantic City without interference.
Nucky Johnson: The Decadent Monarch Image via HBO Described as a “decadent monarch” in “Boardwalk Empire,” Nucky Johnson differed significantly in appearance from his on-screen portrayal by Steve Buscemi. The real Nucky was tall and bald with a booming voice, in stark contrast to the fictional Nucky, who was smaller and quieter. However, both men shared a taste for extravagance, exemplified by the fresh red carnation adorning their lapels. Both were chauffeured in luxurious cars, owned multiple homes, hosted lavish parties, and surrounded themselves with a dedicated staff. Nucky’s estimated annual income was around $500,000, equivalent to roughly $7 or $8 million in 2023, accounting for inflation. Similar to the show, the real Nucky Johnson held various city positions, such as sheriff and county treasurer, but never ran for office. Instead, he used his status as a political boss to support likeminded politicians, including New Jersey Governor Walter Edge. However, it was Prohibition, the prohibition of alcoholic beverages, that truly fueled Nucky’s power. Woodrow Wilson, a moralistic reformer and now President of the United States, inadvertently aided Nucky’s rise by removing The Commodore, while also enhancing Nucky’s wealth and influence through the alcohol ban.
Prohibition and the Emergence of Organized Crime Image via HBO The business owners of Atlantic City responded to Prohibition much as they had to previous vice laws: they openly disregarded them. While other cities saw the proliferation of underground bars known as speakeasies, bars and restaurants in Atlantic City continued to operate as normal. It was as if Prohibition simply did not exist in this seaside haven. Consequently, the city became an increasingly attractive destination for parties, business conventions, and entertainment. During the renowned “Roaring Twenties,” Atlantic City earned the moniker of “second Broadway” and witnessed the emergence of countless renowned entertainers. Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Ed Sullivan are just a few of the big names who kick-started their careers in this vibrant town. Nucky’s complete control over Atlantic City invited envy from burgeoning organized crime figures, who were forced to operate in the shadows, away from law enforcement. Not only did Nucky openly violate the law, but he also handpicked every police officer in the city. Nucky’s rule over South Jersey made him an associate of infamous gangsters such as Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Al Capone, and Waxey Gordon, all of whom are depicted in the show. In real life, Nucky organized a historic meeting between these crime figures, resulting in the formation of the first nationwide crime syndicate. Unfortunately, this meeting was not portrayed in the show, as it takes place during the seven-year gap between seasons four and five.
Nucky and His Pal Arnold Rothstein Image Via HBO A highly fictionalized storyline in Boardwalk Empire focuses on the enduring relationship between Nucky Thompson and New York gambler/gangster Arnold Rothstein. Interestingly, Rothstein is not mentioned once in Johnson’s book. Nevertheless, it is plausible that the real Nucky would have encountered Rothstein at some point. Rothstein, a significant bootlegger and leader of the Jewish mob in New York,…
Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
