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Step into Chicago's Movie History
In-depth analysis and cultural insights into Chicago’s 135+ year cinematic history, written by a film historian and former professor.
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Could Ferris Bueller Change an Art Gallery?
From film set to Instagram backdrop—discover how Ferris Bueller’s Day Off may have inspired changes inside the Art Institute of Chicago.
Oct 22, 20252 min read
From Wizard Oil to The Wizard of Oz: How Chicago’s Grand Opera House and a "Miracle" Medicine Made Stage History
Long before MGM adapted The Wizard of Oz, Chicago had already brought a musical version to life on stage.
Oct 7, 20256 min read
The Tramp and the Dog: How Chicago Learned Early Filmmaking
Long before Hollywood dominated the industry, early filmmaking in Chicago was taking shape in surprising ways. Discover how The Tramp and the Dog (1896) reveals the city’s first steps into this new medium.
Sep 29, 20253 min read
From "Candyman" to Candy Rackets: Chicago’s Sweet and Sinister Past
A van named "Candy Man" (like the horror movie) sparked a dive into Chicago’s past, where 1920s candy jobbers mixed sweet sales with racketeering and violence.
Aug 28, 20254 min read
Unity Temple in Film: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Masterpiece with a Hollywood Voice
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple, famed for its concrete design and lack of religious iconography, appears mostly in documentary film, including one narrated by Brad Pitt.
Aug 19, 20253 min read
"Good Times" Filming Locations in Chicago: A Visit to the National Public Housing Museum
Explore the connection between "Good Times" filming locations in Chicago and the National Public Housing Museum.
Jul 31, 20253 min read
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