Curtis Perry posted this shot that he took just this past Saturday night. It’s titled “Bible Club PDX”. I had too Google it to find out that it’s a recently opened retro “secret speakeasy”, with no signs, and very extensively decorated in period furnishings. Well, that does rather explain the ’41 Caddy in the driveway.
Since I was looking at the pictures of the inside, I might as well share a couple of them, as the decor is quite elaborate. The name comes from a genuine speakeasy in Portland from the Prohibition era.
I feel like I’d have to get dressed in proper period attire to show up.
I wonder of the Caddy is now a permanent fixture, to help folks find it, since there’s no signage anywhere. It’s a pretty obvious landmark. Maybe too much so; wouldn’t want the feds to find out.
Cool place, but I kind of question the 41 Caddy – after all, prohibition had been over for several years by then. A 31 Caddy might be more appropriate.
However, I am finding that what a lot of younger people would consider a “30s vibe” encompasses a wide period of time, with 30s and 40s being fairly interchangeable. But to me, this would be the equivalent of a 77 Mustang II outside of a club going for a late 60s Woodstock atmosphere.
Excellent point! Reminds me of the anachronistic front wheel drive Buick Le Sabre seen in the series The Americans set in the early 80’s.
I see this problem more and more. I saw a TV documentary about the space race, and people were watching a news report about Yuri Gagarin’s 1961 orbit on a TV from circa 1980. (I noticed it as it was the exact set I bought in 1980!) A guess they figured any old TV with round knobs is OK even if it was 19 years too new! TV shows that have out of era cars is worse, More people have an idea about what era a car is from than TV sets. Even in the classic TV show “The Untouchables” a lot of car crashes/explosions were stock footage, and often the “victims” were post Prohibition cars, but at least they would only be on screen for a few seconds!
Yeah, I just noticed the same thing in “The Butler”: a scene supposedly set in 1958 opens with a Mercedes W108—side marker lights ablaze—dropping someone important at the White House. Oops, no. And it makes me gnash my teeth when the
Foleysound effectsFX technicians fail to use the correct starter and engine sounds for cars—most notably when they put the wrong starters in ’62-’87 Mopars.Another common anachronism is using electronic sirens to dub historic footage depicting emergency vehicles. Then there’s failing to delay distant explosions plausibly (as in combat footage). Of course if they did the latter right, then viewers would complain.
I always am on the lookout during period movies to see if they get the background vehicles right.
The two most recent ones I watched. Spotlight (set in 2000) and Bridge of Spies set in Cold War era, did very well. Most surprising Spotlight since I would have forgiven them given the rather modern time depicted.
leo, I very, very much disagree.
Spotlight did very well until the end of the film. Mark Ruffalo takes a cab ride in 2001 and drives past dozens of late-2000s vehicles. It completely took me out of the movie. The first half, though, they were very good at being accurate with vehicles (among other things).
Oh I didn’t notice that. I know the scene you are referring to but didn’t pay attention there I guess lol.
Haven’t seen Spotlight yet, but NYTimes did an interesting piece on the authenticity of the clothing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/07/business/media/the-artless-look-of-the-boston-journalist.html?_r=0
In public education today, “knowing stuff” has been severely de-rated in favour of big themes and political messaging. I speak from experience as this is my trade. Thus, expect to see more of this in the future, as facts, information, and actual history is out of vogue.
This being said, in the interests of historical accuracy, it’s quite acceptable that the owner kept his ‘club’ the way he wanted it, but it was 1947 and time to buy a new used car.
Case in point, I still have 70s wood-panelling in my basement, but we have a car decades newer (Well, actually have a 70s camper and a couple of early 70s AMCs to be era correct, but that’s besides the point…).
Beautiful room btw – not my favorite era, but a fantastic job!
The 1941 is my all time favorite Cadillac. After the war, the Art Deco influence was replaced by “more, more more.” They show up in a surprising number of films, including Shadow of a Doubt, Some Came Running and The Shawshank Redemption. Salvador Dali owned one and used it in a couple of paintings.
HA, although it’s a valid question, the 41 is one of my cars I just like to drive to the bar. No relation to the bar. You will also see my 39 as well, again, no relation other than ownership.
If you walk in and look around you will know once inside I am a purest no doubt. I personally would never mistake the pre and prohibition years blending all the way up to the 40’s. But, I do have to say GREAT SHOTS!!! Love the Photos!
Your bar? Your Caddy? Double cool! Forgive the conclusions I jumped to – I guess I have become too used to those who pimp out old cars for “atmosphere” rather than just having them to enjoy them. Or maybe it is the nasty cold that I am recovering from has me a little cranky.
The 41 is a fascinating design, sort of the opening salvo in the new “bold and brawny” school of car design that followed the streamlined look of the late 30s.
I just hope that the booze inside is not the prohibition-era stuff made in someone’s bathtub. 🙂
AAHAAHA!! Nope, only the best. No one’s going blind from the booze we’re serving 🙂
CC casts a long shadow indeed. Imagine the owner of the featured bar frequenting this site. But then, he IS a car guy, very obviously!
Looks like a very cool place! The Caddy is a nice touch, especially as the proprietor’s transportation…
Two things unknown here 1941 Cadillacs and prohibition, some 41 Caddies would have been nice but hostilities prevented that some have turned up used since WW2 but you can keep prohibition that simply wouldnt get a start here, I’m kinda partial to cider and would miss it.
Not much of a drinker but Old Mout kiwi & lime cider is one of the most refreshing drinks ever
Terrific photos ! .
Me , I’d rather have a ’37 Chevy Coupe or maybe a ’41 if it had to be newer….
That Caddy is a stunner make to mistake , it’s just not the American apple pie car I want in my driveway .
Kudos to all the hard work done in this speakeasy ! .
-Nate
(who still thinks good quality wood paneling is fine)
Back in the early 40s, the Feds used my maternal grandparents’ long driveway to stake out a speakeasy that was operating up a road across from their place. I doubt it was so carefully put together as this place. Might have nabbed a Caddy like this one, though.
Nice car.
Neat place!