It's been
years since Lawrencia "Bambi" Bembenek was in the public eye. But, her legacy is still strong as
evidenced by the A&E Network's latest edition of City Confidential that
airs Wed., March 27 at 9 p.m.
How can we forget Bambi? Fed up with the system and fearing she might spend most of the rest of her life behind bars, Bembenek escaped from prison on July 15, 1990. Milwaukee went crazy with "Run Bambi Run" stickers, songs and general wackiness and still today many in town wonder who really killed Christine Schultz.
In case you don't have a good working knowledge of the Bambi crime case, you are in luck. A&E's "City Confidential - Milwaukee" provides a compelling review of the "case that made Milwaukee famous" (I think, sadly, that title goes to a more gruesome case. -ed.) with its unique and edgy blend of a travel and crime TV show. "City Confidential" gives a gripping, although sometimes bit dramatic over view of the case proceeded with a short background segment of Milwaukee that was filmed in town last September. {INSERT_RELATED}
The show features interviews with many locals including John Sidoff from Hooligan's, historian John Gurda, Ira Robins, Duane Gay, groom's Theri DeJoode and Sam Llanas of BoDeans. They discuss Milwaukee, its character and their memories of Bambi and the case. Take note, Robins adds some interesting detail on cover-up conspiracies.
The show paints Milwaukee as a beer, brats and Harley town that is evolving out of Chicago's shadow and into a bigger city with smaller town roots. It talks extensively about Miller Brewery and Harley-Davidson.
"Milwaukee sometimes gets a bad rap," producer David Wallach told us. "What we found was a pretty cool city with a commitment to its culture, a growing downtown and sense of renaissance."
Wallach attended Carroll College and interned for local TV guy, Duane Gay in the 1980s. He now resides in Grayslake, Ill.
"I loved Milwaukee, and think we did it a fun justice in the show. I am even starting a business here, fastdater.com -- watch for it in May," said Wallach.
"City Confidential" selects cities based the on the effect the crime had on the community. The Bembenek case obviously had a profound effect on Milwaukee and its people.
The official television listing for Wednesday's show says it is "The colorful story of the ex-cop and curvaceous former Playboy Bunny who was charged with the murder of her husband's ex-wife. After conviction, Lawrencia "Bambi" Bembenek went on the lam, and the whole town of Milwaukee, if not the entire country, cried "run, Bambi, run!" It took years before she was finally found in Canada and extradited back to the U.S."
Watch "City Confidential - Milwaukee," Wednesday on the A&E Network at 9 p.m. Come back to this article on Thursday to let us know what you thought of it.
Editor's note: OnMilwaukee's Jeff Sherman was interviewed by A&E for this program.
