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'Boardwalk Empire' Takes E. Fourth Street Back to the 1920s

By Serena Solomon | August 14, 2012 8:33am

EAST VILLAGE — Antique cars, semi-trailers, actors and actresses had an early 6 a.m. start on Monday to film scenes from HBO's "Boardwalk Empire," transforming parts of East 4th Street into 1920s Atlantic City.

Working from an abandoned lot decked out with a sand covered ground and clotheslines hanging from surrounding buildings, actor Vincent Piazza was no doubt baking in his suit pants and vest as he played mobster Lucky Luciano. Piazza appeared to have blood smeared on his face just before cast and crew broke for lunch at around 1 p.m.

Numerous antique cars lined the street between Avenue A and Avenue B for the cable show that is filming its third season.

A few residents came out to see their neighborhood in period dress, snapping photos of the props and actors.

"It is fun to take you out of doldrums of everyday life," said Lisa Harris, a clinical psychologist who has lived in the East Village for 20 years. “Now you get to work through a Hollywood set.”

As a long-time resident Harris said she can manage with the minor inconvenience of film sets and still managed to find it a novelty.

"If you have a car I do feel sorry for you," she added, referring to the fact that all modern vehicles had to be moved for the shoot.

Local car owner, 36-year-old Carrier, who declined to give her last name, said that her only gripe about the show was the amount of parking it took up.

"I think Bloomberg should suspend curbside parking," she said, of whenever filming is granted in any area.

In some cases it has taken her almost an hour to find parking in the neighborhood.

"Boardwalk Empire" has used the East Village numerous times for taping including on East 12th Street in July.