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Pull up a seat, grab some popcorn, and dig deeper into Chicago and film.


On a Mission from God—and for Movie Stills
Ever stumble upon a hidden gem in an antique mall? This Blues Brothers find might spark your curiosity about Hollywood publicity movie stills.
Jul 31 min read


Oscar Winners from Chicago: Excerpt
In this excerpt from Oscar Winners in Chicago (25 min.)—our fourth program counting down to the 2024 Academy Awards—learn about a game-chang
Mar 1, 20241 min read


Delta Airlines, Chicago, and In-Flight Movies: Virtual Tour Sneak Peek
Walk virtually around the birthplace of Delta Airlines, and learn about the company's links to Chicago and in-flight entertainment.
Nov 28, 20231 min read


How Do You Capture Chicago Through Film?
In this roundtable discussion, a podcaster, a blogger, and a tour guide discuss how they record Chicago's past and present film history.
Nov 15, 20231 min read


Reel Resilience: The Survival of Chicago Movie Theaters in 1918
Learn about three silent-era Chicago movie theaters that survived the 1918 influenza pandemic.
Aug 23, 20231 min read


The Sins of Chicago Nickelodeons
Walk virtually with Chicago Movie Tours and hear why some Chicagoans claimed small movie houses lured certain filmgoers into a life of sin.
Aug 16, 20231 min read


Makeup and Toupees in Chicago's Silent Movies
Travel back to Chicago's silent era to learn how makeup and men's hairpieces functioned both on and offscreen
Jul 26, 20231 min read


Chicago's Shipwreck, Liquor, and Movies
On this virtual walking tour, learn about the S.S. Eastland tragedy via a suburban Chicago speakeasy and film.
Jul 18, 20231 min read


Singin' in the Rain and Chicago
Celebrate six Chicago actors and the Hollywood musical for which they are most remembered
Jul 7, 20231 min read


Chicago, Movies, and Censorship
Get a bite-sized history of Hollywood censorship and Chicago's role in the matter
Jun 16, 20231 min read


Movies on the Bayou: Live on Location in Louisiana
Float virtually with us down a Louisiana bayou and learn why movies are filmed on these mystical bodies of water
Jun 13, 20231 min read


The Untouchables: Behind the Scenes in Chicago's Union Station
Dig in to The Untouchables with two behind-the-scenes accounts.
May 26, 20233 min read


Mae West and Minnie Marx, Dirty Blonde and Broadway Mom
Learn more about the "dirty blonde" and Broadway mom who worked alongside the Marx Brothers.
May 4, 20232 min read


The Marx Brothers and Chicago
On this virtual walking tour, learn about The Marx Brothers' Chicago connections
May 3, 20231 min read


The Marx Brothers' Chicagoland Chicken Farm
This video is about a road off Route 66 where the Marx Brothers comedy team once owned a chicken farm.
May 1, 20231 min read


How to Clean Early Chicago Movie Theaters
Discover one way to clean 1920s movie houses on the cheap After the 1918 Flu Pandemic , movie theater owners in Chicago and across the...
Oct 31, 20222 min read


Chicago Movie Murals
Discover murals in Chicago that are devoted to movies.
Oct 6, 20221 min read


Chicago Movie Trivia: Classic Hollywood Edition
Try your hand at 1 question about Chicago's movie history
Sep 20, 20221 min read


Oscars, Controversial Since 1929
The Oscars have been contentious since their inception
Mar 28, 20221 min read


"A Raisin in the Sun" and Filming in Chicago
Sadly, the location filming in Chicago of the 1961 movie "A Raisin in the Sun" echoed the racism in the play.
Jan 7, 20223 min read
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