All images courtesy Los Angeles Police Museum/Abrams IMAGE
VICE is exploring America's prison system in the week leading up to our special report with President Obama for HBO. Tune in Sunday, September 27, at 9 PM EST, to see his historic first-ever presidential visit to a federal prison.Ever wondered what The Los Angeles Police Department were dealing with over six decades ago? James Ellroy, the crime writing genius behind L.A. Confidential and The Cold Six Thousand, teamed up with Glynn Martin of the Los Angeles Police Museum to give readers insight into the crimes taking place in the streets of Los Angeles in 1953. From murder, suicide, bar brawls, and the hands of a man who pummeled his friend to death, the Abrams book title LAPD '53 gives it to us straight.
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Combing the museum’s photo archives, Ellroy noticed that this particular year presented a range of surprising and uncommon images. With the help of Martin, Ellroy wrote over 25,000 words illustrating the severity and unusualness of the crimes that tarnished the era. The book spans over 208 pages and includes 80 duotone photos in the form of real police evidence. It's real life-turned-film noir.Check out some images from LAPD '53 below:
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