For over 100 years, Chicago’s Maxwell Street market has played many roles. The market located around Maxwell Street and Halsted was a place where recent immigrants could chart their “American Dreams.” It was also a place where people of different ethnic backgrounds would meet and share ideas, food, and music and where someone could buy or sell just about everything under the sun.

The many facets of the Maxwell Street story are told in the documentary Cheat You Fair: The Story of Maxweel Street by Phil Ranstrom. We spoke with Phil three years ago as the project was being premiered at an underground film festival. But then the money ran out, and the proposed Website and DVD release were put on hold. Three years later, the film has been re-edited, additional material about Maxwell Street’s musical heritage has been added, and the DVD is available to the public.

Ranstrom talks about the project in its final form, and says Maxwell Street has always been a refuge of sorts.

Music Button: Robert Nighthawk, “Maxwell Street Medley”, from the CD Blues Masters Vol. 15, (Rhino)