Chicago

Factual error: In the scene where Roxie is placed in the "paddy wagon" to be taken to Cook County Jail, the prosecutor refers to himself as District Attorney Harrison. However, the court system in Illinois doesn't have district attorneys; rather, they have state's attorneys. The original play by Maureen Watkins correctly calls him a state's attorney.

Factual error: The innocent murderess, Katalin Hunyák, is supposed to be Hungarian. Nevertheless, in Cell Block Tango, she tells her story with a very heavy Russian accent. And when Billy passes by, she begs for help in Russian ("Pozhaluysta" - "Please").

Factual error: As Roxie is being escorted into the murderers' row, Mama and Roxie pass Velma's cell. The dollar Velma gives Mama is a modern one.

Factual error: When Mr. Flynn is in the restaurant talking about the latest socialite arrested for triple homicide, he briefly uses a telephone their waiter provides. According to an antique phone collector's association, there are many errors between the phone and the time period. First of all, that phone's design was from the Bell Tel. Co., and wasn't manufactured until about 1930. Secondly, even if the movie was set in late 1929, the phone has a handset didn't exist until 1937. Thirdly, the phone is brass-plated with an ivory handset; This colour combo was called the "Imperial", and was introduced to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Bell Tel. Co. in 1951, and was certainly not available in the 20s.

Continuity mistake: In the final scene when Velma and Roxie are performing, there is lipstick on Roxie's teeth. In the next shot it has disappeared. (01:41:35)

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Billy Flynn: Now look, I don't like to blow my own horn. But believe me. If Jesus Christ lived in Chicago today and if he had $5,000 and he'd come to me, things would have turned out differently.

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Trivia: Hunyák's story in the cell block tango (translated from Hungarian) is "What am I doing here? They say my famous lover held down my husband while I chopped off his head. But it isn't true, I am innocent. I don't know why Uncle Sam says I did it. I tried to explain it at the police station but they did not understand me."

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Question: Does Roxie get back together with her husband at the end? We see him leave, but they don't explain it. Perhaps the stage play explains this.

Answer: Amos wants to reconcile when the trial ends but Roxie walks away. (The end of their marriage is not explained in the stage play, either.) One is led to believe Roxie leaves Amos and goes on to stardom.

JustJudy

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