CMU professor debuts documentary on organized crime in Clare

Central Michigan University broadcast and cinematic arts faculty member and filmmaker Ben Tigner will debut his documentary, “Purple: Organized Crime in a Small Town,” Aug. 8 at the Ideal Theatre in Clare at 7 and 9 p.m. The documentary, which chronicles the organized crime syndicate named The Purple Gang that operated throughout Michigan in the 1920s and 1930s, was shot on location in Clare.

 

‘Purple’ gives viewers a look at the era’s values and social norms while exposing the challenges residents faced with organized crime in the community. The film features interviews with those present during The Purple Gang’s reign, recounting the gang’s use of violence and intimidation as they made their way through Clare.

 

Tigner, who filmed, edited, assembled and produced the documentary, says he developed an interest in the subject from being raised in the area. A Coleman native, he says organized crime is always depicted as something cool, however the brutality of these criminals would never been seen as cool in the modern era.

 

“I was intrigued by the perception of organized crime and how it differs from the reality of organized crime,” Tigner said. “There’s no such thing as a ‘clean hit.’ If you murder someone, that someone has a brother, an uncle, a friend. Organized crime affects the community.”

 

The three-year research project was funded by CMU’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs through an Early Career Initiative grant. Jim Hageman, interim vice provost for research, says Tigner’s approach to the research carried weight with the committee of peers and administrators that voted to award him the grant.

 

“This was a highly novel approach, particularly as to how a gang like this could affect a small Michigan town,” Hageman said. “He had access to some of the people who could give first-hand experience of what was going on back in this era. This was the perfect time to do it.”

 

Tigner says the response he’s gotten so far on his Facebook page for the film has been overwhelming. He intends to enter ‘Purple’ into film festivals while working on a license with CMU to distribute the film on DVD.

 

“We’ve had 8,300 people visit the website so far,” Tigner said. “There’s been a lot of local interest, but I think there’d be even more interest if we could get the film into bigger markets. That’s my next step.”

 

The premiere is free and open to the public, but donations will be accepted at the door. Proceeds will go to the Clare Historical Society.

 

For more information on the film, click here.