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    Beach from above, 1941

    In the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, a politically connected mastermind named Nucky Thompson (played by Steve Buscemi) runs 1920s Atlantic City with an iron fist. In reality, Atlantic City was the fiefdom of Enoch "Nucky" Johnson, a Republican party boss who held uncontested control from 1911 to 1941. In 1912, Nucky’s beloved wife, Mabel, died, and Johnson -- who previously never touched booze -- became a dedicated drinker. (Alfred Eisenstaedt/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

Beach from above, 1941

In the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, a politically connected mastermind named Nucky Thompson (played by Steve Buscemi) runs 1920s Atlantic City with an iron fist. In reality, Atlantic City was the fiefdom of Enoch "Nucky" Johnson, a Republican party boss who held uncontested control from 1911 to 1941. In 1912, Nucky’s beloved wife, Mabel, died, and Johnson -- who previously never touched booze -- became a dedicated drinker. (Alfred Eisenstaedt/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

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