The Moral of the Story
Issues related to morality vary between societies and through time. As a powerful tool, morality has often been misused to justify horrendous actions or to support propaganda that creates animosity between groups of people. In Vancouver, concepts of morality have been used to shape public opinion on many social issues and to spur action by the city’s government and police force. Presented are two historical events where concepts of morality played a critical role in the exploits of both the VPD and the citizens of Vancouver. Explore each asking yourself how ideas of morality were used or misused and why.
The 1945 Mulligan Affair
As the sun sets and nighttime falls, crowds scatter around the slick city streets in pursuit of illegal gambling dens, brothels and night clubs where booze, drugs, and bawdy behaviour run rampant. Police officers accept bribes, keeping vice alive and strong, while the city Mayor and Police Chief profit big on the illegal activity—that is until one ambitious reporter blows the lid off the story…
No, this is not your favourite film noir—welcome to 1950s Vancouver!
The 1975 Penthouse Raid
Cool sounds of funk, jazz, and disco fill the night air emanating from the clubs. Inside, men and women dressed in bright prints and platform shoes groove to the sounds of Elton John, the Bee Gees, and the Carpenters. Afros and bellbottoms are in, not to mention a new form of entertainment of a scandalous nature...
Where bearing it all takes on a new meaning - welcome to 1975 Vancouver, Penthouse style!
