"Down these Mean Streets a man must go..."
Raymond Chandler

From the imagination of the late Scott Saylors, and the designs of Patrick Wilson for Studio 33 Productions, comes Mean Streets, the first comprehensive effort to provide Gangster, Pulp Fiction, Sci-Fi and Horror gamers with the urban environment crucial to their miniatures scenarios. Rules and figures for these have come and gone, but never before have the city streets, buildings, and sidewalks so vital to the look and success of these games been available with such comprehensive detail and affordability.

Mean Streets is a range of full color, heavy card stock, self-assembly Block Sections in 1:60 scale (28mm), uniformly 10" square, though of variable height. Created using only photographic textures proper for the historical period of around 1920 to about 1950, buildings have a look that can hardly be equaled in any other medium, and for far less cost, time, and effort. Each Block Section represents all walls and roofs of one or more buildings that extend to those on the other side. Four Block Sections may be fitted into a standardized Full Block of 47" length and 14" width (including a central alley 3" wide, and 2" wide sidewalks all around). Each Block Section may be bought separately, as may a selection of street surfaces and sidewalks for those wishing the maximum variety of styles/textures for their own layouts.

The following Layout Schematics are examples of how to fit all parts of the project together and are certainly recommended to those wishing to get a sense of what they can do with their own Block Sections and buildings. Notice the streets, including that which has the Trolley Car line, and the Waterfront to the right on the first plan. The second plan does not have a Waterfront, but instead uses the extra space for a more fully developed Downtown with a skyscraper (the Midwest Building, now in development), and more Block Sections for a wider variety of businesses and a full block of Ethnic Neighborhood.

Only scissors, a craft knife, white glue, standard 3/16" thick foam core board and, optionally heavy matte board, are required to build each Block Section into a permanent gaming accessory that will provide years of service for a fraction of the cost of other materials--even if they were available. Light weight and durable (especially when mounted and backed with foam core), a Mean Streets layout is easily transported to game nights and even conventions. No painting of any kind is required and some buildings come with their own signage and advertising. The Movie and Burlesque theaters even come with a selection of authentic period posters!

The project's technical advisor and master assembler is no less than crack modeler Richard Houston who has worked tirelessly to test the designs and simplify them wherever possible. Virtually all sides of each Block Section he has assembled may be seen via the photographs below and those on the Mean Streets Photo Page. The Block Sections are listed below with full particulars. (NOTE: Some Buildings are shown with Optional Rooftop Sheds which are available as a separate set. There may be some visual differences between the photographs of these prototype constructions and the product actually received, though always these are improvements in design and/or superior graphics.)

All items may now be purchased directly via our Shopping Cart system. Where there are choices of which type of item to order, it may be necessary to order more than once from the same drop-down menu provided. For the bargain hunters, take a look at the "Take Over The Town" Deals for "Half-Block" & "Full Block" discounts for both Printed and PDF versions.

All portions of Mean Streets are also now available as PDF's, either on CD or sent directly to you via E-mail from TVAG. If you want the PDF's E-mailed to you, I will refund the postage charged by the Shopping Cart. Priced at less than half of mot of the professionally printed items, this option may be just the ticket if you prefer to "Do-it-yourself."

The current list of Available Block Sections and Components for Mean Streets follows.

The Block Sections
Block Section #1-- Consisting of The Diamond Ace Club (6.25" high), SMC Cartage Co. Garage & Lot (4" high), and the Carlington Hotel (7.5" high with 1.5" tall Roof Access Shed on top). The SMC Cartage Co. comes with a private driveway and parking lot which effectively provide the Full Block it would share with two Alleys. This building is closely modeled on the original which was the site of the infamous "St. Valentine's Day Massacre" of 1929.

Printed Price: $20.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

Block Section #2-- Consisting of Anastasio's Apartments, None Finer Diner, Manzarelli's Market, Helth Ice Co., AAA Best Shoe Shop, Sbabaro's Funeral Home, and Scott's Newstand (all 5.75" high, except the Shoe Shop at 4.25" and the Newstand at 2"). The Newstand comes complete with newspapers in racks on the back wall and actual period "Spicy" Pulp Magazines on the counter and sidewalls. Manzarelli's Market is on the ground floor, while those above contain "Rooms To Let," the offices of "Antonio Falco, Attorney at Law," and Medium "Madame Gazonga's" Seance Room (very popular with the Ladies since Valentino went over). Sbabaro's is also closely modeled after the actual building which was the site of Chicago's most famous Gangland Funerals--one of the few places where Chicago's Underworld Elite could meet on neutral turf--and give each other "The Look."

Printed Price: $20.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

Block Section #3-- Consisting of the Bijou Movie Theater (6" high), Tip Top Barber Shop, and Mama Legano's Italian Ristorante (4.5" high). The Bijou comes with a selection of authentic movie posters ready to hang out front and in the lobby. The Barber shop (complete with pole) was a popular place for making "hits," and what Last Meal isn't held at the Italian Restaurant? Buildings come with separate signs and advertisements.

Printed Price: $15.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

Block Section #4-- The Gaiety Theater (4.5" high at front, 7.5" at rear) occupies an entire Block Section and includes the blue tile for the lobby. An old fashioned House of Burlesque, it comes complete with period posters to hang, and even the Stage Door for that rendezvous with Trixie LaFleche after the last show.

Printed Price $20.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

Block Section #5-- The Acme Warehouse (7" high at front, 3" at rear) occupies an entire Block Section. Tall front section and sloped roof rear has covered loading bay, this is the perfect, innocent looking place to hide everything from your illegal Brewery to Fu Manchu's Electrostatic Krebulator/Cthulhoid Cult Temple/Shirley Temple Fan Club, or other sites of unspeakable horror!

Printed Price $20.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

Block Section #6-- Police HQ & Central Fire Station (6" high all round) share a Block Section back-to-back. These three story buildings indicate entrances for Police Headquarters, Central Booking, Prisoner Transfer (a likely location for some nasty scenes), and the Fire Marshall's Office, as well two bays for Fire Trucks. No layout is complete without these, for if you're going to have crime, you've got to have a place for the Cops to eat donuts!

Printed Price $15.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

Block Section #7-- Perfect for fronting on the Levee/Riverfront, this Block has the Harbor Master's Office next to the large Fish Market, a Waterman's flop house (the Backwater Inn), and the Samuel Gompers Union Hall for Dock Workers. Between agitating Socialists on the one hand, and Mob attempts to control Labor Unions on the other, all kinds of action can be played out here. The Block is just under 6" high all around, though the Inn has a slightly higher gabled roof.

Printed Price $20.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

Block Section #8-- Federal Building & Police Garage also share this Block Section back-to-back. The Police Garage and Dispatcher's Office is 5" high, while the Federal Building (with Post Office) stands 7" high. The FBI, Federal Attorney, and Revenue Agents would all have their offices here. The Police Garage houses is where all Patrol Cars, "Paddy Wagon," and Motorcycle Patrol would be centrally located, ready to come barreling out of the doors and onto the streets.

Printed Price $15.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

Block Section #9-- Light Industry & Warehouses are found here. Earl's Automobile and Truck Repair garage is next door to Kreplach's (makers of Barrels, Boxes, and Bottles with all kinds of uses), and behind them are Kleinmann's Dry Storage, and Anselmi's & Scalise's Storage warehouse. Earl's side of the Block is 5" high, but the two Storage buildings are 7.5" high. All have multiple entrances and make for a particularly tough looking part of town.

Printed Price $20.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

Block Section #10-- A block of Shops featuring "O'Banion & Schofield's Flower Shop" where "Deanie" O'Banion ran the North Side Gang of Chicago (until business took a turn for the worse for him there one day), and "Sports Incorporated," where upstanding merchant Peter von Frantzius kept the Capone Mob armed with the latest in high powered weaponry. Other shops include the Law Offices of "Dewey, Cheatham, & Howe," "O'Malley--Green Grocer," and "Stiffany's: Gems, Gold, & Jewelry." A mix of upscale and working man's services, this block can be the busy heart of any neighborhood.

Printed Price $20.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

Block Section #11-- The first of the long delayed "Ethnic Neighborhood" Block Sections, this one contains all Jewish businesses, including: Greenbaum & Meyer, Haberdashers, the Baruch Apartments, Silberman, Gertz, Levy, and O'Shaugnessy, Attorney's at Law, Goldberg's Delicatessen, and Lipschitz Pawn & Loans. All shops are finely detailed with authentic fonts, and come with signage, ventilation pipes, and skylights for the roof.

Printed Price $15.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

Central Park-- A peaceful island of grass, and even trees and shrubs, in a brick and concrete sea. Just the place to go for a walk after lunch, flirt with the young Nanny pushing the baby carriage, drop the ransom money in a bag under the big oak tree, or simply find the deceased in a garbage can with a canary in his mouth.

Printed Price $15.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

St. Patrick's Cathedral-- Modeled after Chicago's own Holy Name Cathedral, outside of which Hymie "The Pole" Weiss and his party were shot down (leaving bullet holes in the wall for years after), "Mean Streets" now has its own place of worship for your Irish, Polish, and Italian Businessmen to attend. An imposing structure, among the tallest in town, it has broad front steps for your bullet riddled convenience. Remember Cagney's end in The Roaring Twenties ?--"He used to be a Big Shot." Well, now you can take your own shot at last minute Salvation!

Printed Price $20.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

Levee/Riverfront Section-- Smuggled Booze and other cargoes have to come into the city by water as often by land, and here is the way to incorporate this vital terrain into your layout. Each Section comes with enough material to represent 20" each of Seawall, water (out to a distance of 8" from its base), and of asphalt topped Brick Street running parallel to it. One Ramp and 6" long Pier is included as well. This distance represents the same width of one Full Block plus 6" of Street to one side of it. Thus, for the entire Layout as pictured (above), 3 Levee/Riverfront Sections would provide the full 5.5" necessary to make one end of front the Sea or River.

Printed Price $15.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

First National Bank Building-- Why did Willie "The Actor" Sutton rob banks? "Because that's where the money is!," he deftly observed. And now your layout has a prime target for your Bank Robbing Public Enemies. 10" tall and square at the base, this very Art Deco style "high rise" has a side annex that houses The Sweet Shop and Papadapoulos' Tobacco Shop. Inside the main building through the main entrance is the Bank Lobby, while on the other side is access to the Mid Continental Insurance Co. and the decidedly up-scale Club Imperial. Part of the "City Center" along with other such large buildings, the First National Building is another must for any crime based scenarios.

Printed Price $20.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

Hotel Metropole-- The "swankiest" place in town to keep important guests to appear before the Grand Jury. There's an eatery in there that's the cat's pyjamas--if that's your idea of a good meal. Top Floor Penthouses are just the ticket for your Gang Bosses' Home away from Home. One of the best views of the city from up on that roof....

Printed Price $20.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

The Court House-- When Cops on the "Pad" can't keep you out of the Law's reach, this is where you'll spend some quality time with your Lawyer. Lots of things can go wrong here as prisoners are moved back and forth from here to the City Jail. The architect has thoughtfully provided wide open steps for clear fields of fire.

Printed Price $20.00

PDF File Format: $10.00

Alleys
Alleys, like Streets, come in a variety of textures, with gratings and manholes, as shown below. Two different lengths totaling 16," enough to cross a Full Block from side to side with 2" to spare, are provided (though only one is shown in each photo).

Price per Alley: $2.00

Asphalt Alley Concrete Alley

Brick Alley #1 Brick Alley #2

Sidewalks
Sidewalk Sets come printed on two sheets five 10" lengths sufficient to represent up to 50" (one Full Block side and one end), plus a pair of 2" matching corner pieces with storm drains. Sidewalk lengths have gratings and manholes in different locations for still greater variety.

It is strongly encouraged that Sidewalk lengths be mounted on standard 3/16" thick foam core pieces cut to match. By scoring, folding and gluing the curbs down, a full 3-D effect is created for maximum visual appeal (note the photographs above and on the Mean Streets Photo Page.

A special set of Decorative Sidewalks, complete with matching corner pieces, is provided in order to dress up those buildings/businesses that would call attention to themselves, such as Banks, Theaters, Department Stores, etc. (Note the Sidewalk in front of the Bijou in the photographs.)

All Sidewalk Sets: $6.00 each.

Brick Sidewalk, Type 1

Brick Sidewalk, Type 2

Concrete Sidewalk

Decorative Sidewalks

Asphalt, with Track center in Brick


Brick, with Track center in different Brick, Type 2


Concrete, with Track center Asphalt

Rooftop Shed/Access Buildings

A refinement over the first releases, these structures are now available optionally. A total of eight different designs are available in the one set. Two have long slanting roofs representing stair wells, and five are more general in shape. A pigeon cote is which may be mounted on any large enough roof Is included to complete the set. Samples of each design may be seen on the Mean Streets Photos Page.

Roof Top Sheds: $6.00

Advertising, Posters, & Signs (Graphics Sets )
Finally, the three Graphics Sets are full color pages of properly scaled, authentic period advertising, theater, circus, movie, and political posters to cut out and add to your buildings and alley walls. Printed on high quality 24-lb bond paper, and organized by decades, you have the option of actually putting up only those films, theater shows, products, etc, that match the period you want your layout to represent!

Graphics Set #1 (1920-1930)--


A full page of Silents and early "Talkies," as well as proper period Recruiting Posters, and products (though no Alcohol!) for the era of Prohibition.
Price: $2.00

Graphics Set #2 (1931-1940)--


A two page collection of classic Movie, Work Projects Administration posters, Recruiting, Beer and Liquor ads reflecting the Great Depression and Repeal.
Price: $2.00

Graphics Set #3 (1941-1950)--


A full page of famous 40's Movies, a variety of product advertisements, and a wide selection of Recruiting and Propaganda posters reflecting the Era of WW II and "Hard Boiled" Detectives.
Price: $2.00

Graphics Set #4 (Generic, all periods)--


Another full page of Political Posters, Advertising, Circus Posters, and other items that could be seen on walls in the period(s) you may wish to set your Mean Streets.
Price: $2.00

PDF Files on Compact Disc-- Order as many or as few listed items as you wish at the indicated PDF prices and pay a flat $8.00 fee for shipping to your provided address. If you prefer files be E-mailed to you, please so indicate and the fee (charged by the Shopping Cart) will be refunded to you.

To place your favorite "Take Over" Deal, simply phone or E-mail TVAG and specify your choices of Buildings, Streets, Alleys, Sidewalks, etc, from the lists above. I'll figure your price and can invoice you via E-mail or PayPal, as you prefer.

The Offer You Can't Refuse!

Order the Complete PDF Collection of "Mean Streets"--your choice of files to build the entire town as it currently stands--on CD (no E-mail delivery in this case) for $200.00 , postpaid! That's a savings of over $50.00! Try to do this with any other medium and see what it'll set you back!

Coming soon will be Block Sections representing Italian, Irish, Chinese, and Black "Ethnic" neighborhoods and businesses. "Big Jim" Colosimo's Restaurant, and more businesses are coming as well. When completed, a full set of Mean Streets would occupy some 8' x 5' without duplication of any Block Sections.

A new rules system for Gangster and Police games in the period of the "Beer Wars," We Only Kill Each Other , originally developed by the late Scott Saylors and P.R.Wilson may soon merge with another rules set by veteran author Howard Whitehouse and world renowned sculptor, Mark Copplestone, Mad Dogs With Guns. Specifically designed to make use of Mean Streets , the game includes detailed rules for Driving, risks of accidents, the advantages (and disadvantages!) of Police Sirens, the use of Police Call Boxes, and other features missing from rules without a "town" to be played in. There will scenarios with specific reference to Block Sections and Businesses in the Mean Streets collection. The rules will also cover the period of the famous bandit gangs of the early 30's, and have an exciting whiff of Sicilian cooking.

Watch for the new linked Web page that will include game reports and more information on this exciting new TVAG project which we hope to have published by the end of this year (2009).

How far the Mean Streets and related projects proceed will depend in part on public interest and customer support!

FAVORITE LINKS
to war game and historical sites on the web