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Chicago Film History Speaker: Past Programs

Every program I deliver is backed by over 15 years of academic research, peer-reviewed publications, and university teaching.

 

Below, you can search a comprehensive history of my guest speaking engagements—featuring over 200 presentations for historical societies, libraries, and community organizations.

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To see current topics available for booking, visit Talks Catalog.

Still Waters, Sudden Death: Chicago’s Deadliest Disaster Onscreen
2026

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library

Still Waters, Sudden Death: Chicago’s Deadliest Disaster Onscreen

Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen
2026

White Oak Library District

Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen

Chicago's First Ferris Wheel in Film
2026

Anshe Emet Synagogue

Chicago's First Ferris Wheel in Film

Beyond the Blues Brothers
2026

Lectures on Tap

Beyond the Blues Brothers

Art of the Diner: Nighthawks in Film, History, and Chicago
2026

World Virtual Tours

Art of the Diner: Nighthawks in Film, History, and Chicago Culture

How Do Movies Guide Your Eyes?
2026

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library

How Do Movies Guide Your Eyes?

Inside Gene Kelly's House
2026

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library

Inside Gene Kelly's House

Singin' in the Rain and Chicago
2026

Clarendale Six Corners

Singin’ in the Rain and Chicago

Chicago and The Wizard of Oz
2026

Skokie Country Club

Chicago and The Wizard of Oz

From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies
2026

Cary Area Public Library

From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies

On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive
2026

CJE Senior Life

On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive

Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen
2026

Plainfield Area Public Library

Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen

Chicago, Movies, and the 1918 Pandemic
2026

World Virtual Tours

Chicago Movie Theaters and the 1918 Flu Pandemic

On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive
2026

Clarendale Six Corners

On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive

Countdown to the Oscars: Illinois Winners, Scandalous Moments, and Oscar Bait
2026

Helen Plum Library

Countdown to the Oscars: Illinois Winners, Scandalous Moments, and Oscar Bait

Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen
2026

Naperville Public Library

Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen

On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive
2026

Homer Township Public Library

St. Patrick's Day in The Fugitive

Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds
2026

Orland Park Public Library

Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds

Chicago Movies in Winter
2026

World Virtual Tours

Chicago Movies in Winter

Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds
2026

Clarendale Six Corners

Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds

Chicago and Movies on the Mississippi River
2026

CJE Senior Life

Chicago and Movies on the Mississippi River

Mardi Gras and Movies in the Midwest
2026

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District

Mardi Gras and Movies in the Midwest

The Oscars and Chicago
2026

Morton Grove Public Library

The Oscars and Chicago

Chicago's First Ferris Wheel in Film
2026

World Virtual Tours

The First Ferris Wheel in Film

Hollywood Bites: From Golden Age Glamour to Rom-Com Delights
2026

Clarendale Six Corners

Hollywood Bites: From Golden Age Glamour to Rom-Com Delights

While You Were Sleeping in Chicago: A Holiday Stroll
2025

World Virtual Tours

While You Were Sleeping in Chicago: A Holiday Stroll

Festivus 101: A Celebration for the Rest of Us
2025

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District

Festivus 101: A Celebration for the Rest of Us

Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen
2025

CJE Senior Life

Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen

Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
2025

Green Hills Public Library District

Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"

Festivus 101: A Celebration for the Rest of Us
2025

Parker Life

Festivus 101: A Celebration for the Rest of Us

Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class
2025

Base.club

Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class

Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
2025

Commonwealth Senior Living

Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"

Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class
2025

Clarendale Six Corners

Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class

Movie Makeup and Toupees in 1920s Chicago
2025

World Virtual Tours

Movie Makeup and Toupees in 1920s Chicago

Chicago and The Wizard of Oz
2025

Bridgeview Public Library

Chicago and The Wizard of Oz

Chicago and The Wizard of Oz
2025

Base.club

Chicago and The Wizard of Oz

Beyond the Blues Brothers
2025

Skokie Country Club

Beyond the Blues Brothers

Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury
2025

Fountaindale Public Library District

Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury

2025

DePaul University

Blues Brothers on Location: Prisons, Malls, and City Halls

Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury
2025

CJE Senior Life

Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury

Chicago's World's Fairs and the Movies
2025

Base.club

Chicago's World's Fairs and the Movies

Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury
2025

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District

Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury

From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies
2025

World Virtual Tours

From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies

The Breakfast Club: Chicago, Music, and a Generation Defined
2025

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District

The Breakfast Club: Chicago, Music, and a Generation Defined

From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies
2025

Bridgeview Public Library

From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies

Inside Gene Kelly's House
2025

Commonwealth Senior Living

Inside Gene Kelly's House

Chicago Movie Houses: Hidden Histories and Lost Glamour
2025

World Virtual Tours

Chicago Movie Houses: Hidden Histories and Lost Glamour

Singin' in the Rain and Chicago
2025

CJE Senior Life

Singin' in the Rain and Chicago

Art of Ferris Bueller
2025

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District

The Art of Ferris Bueller

Art of Ferris Bueller
2025

Orland Park Public Library

The Art of Ferris Bueller

Comedy in Chicago: The Marx Brothers and Bob Newhart
2025

Helen Plum Library

Comedy in Chicago: The Marx Brothers and Bob Newhart

Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries
2025

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District

Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries

Art of the Diner: Nighthawks in Film, History, and Chicago
2025

CJE Senior Life

America's Most Famous Diner, Chicago Style

Chicago and The Wizard of Oz
2025

Homer Township Public Library

Chicago and The Wizard of Oz

Chicago and Movies on the Mississippi River
2025

World Virtual Tours

Chicago and Movies on the Mississippi River

Beyond the Blues Brothers
2025

Tinley Park Public Library

Beyond the Blues Brothers

Gender in Hollywood: Women
2025

CJE Senior Life

Gender in Hollywood: Women

Comedy in Chicago: The Marx Brothers and Bob Newhart
2025

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District

Comedy in Chicago: The Marx Brothers and Bob Newhart

Chicago's World's Fairs and the Movies
2025

World Virtual Tours

Chicago's World's Fairs and the Movies

Roller Coasters, Racism, and Chicago Home Movies
2025

CJE Senior Life

Roller Coasters, Racism, and Chicago Home Movies

Beyond the Blues Brothers
2025

Naperville Public Library

Beyond the Blues Brothers

Brief History of Hollywood Film
2025

CJE Senior Life

A Brief History of Hollywood Film

Chicago Murals and Movie Stars
2025

World Virtual Tours

Chicago Murals and Movie Stars

Chicago and The Wizard of Oz
2025

World Virtual Tours

Chicago and The Wizard of Oz

Women's Fashion, Ferris Wheels, and Film at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair
2025

CJE Senior Life

Women's Fashion, Ferris Wheels, and Film at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair

Women's Fashion, Ferris Wheels, and Film at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair
2025

White Oak Library District

Women's Fashion, Ferris Wheels, and Film at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair

On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive
2025

Palos Heights Public Library

St. Patrick's Day in The Fugitive

On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive
2025

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District

St. Patrick's Day in The Fugitive

On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive
2025

Bridgeview Public Library

St. Patrick's Day in The Fugitive

Mardi Gras and Movies in the Midwest
2025

CJE Senior Life

Mardi Gras and Movies in the Midwest

Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds
2025

Oak Park Public Library

Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds

Mardi Gras and Movies in the Midwest
2025

Helen Plum Library

Mardi Gras and Movies in the Midwest

Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds
2025

Fountaindale Public Library District

Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds

Countdown to the Oscars: Illinois Winners, Scandalous Moments, and Oscar Bait
2025

CJE Senior Life

Countdown to the Oscars: Illinois Winners, Scandalous Moments, and Oscar Bait

Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class
2024

CJE Senior Life

Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class

Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
2024

Elmhurst Public Library

Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"

Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
2024

White Oak Library District

Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"

Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
2024

Bridgeview Public Library

Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"

Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
2024

Homer Township Public Library

Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"

Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
2024

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District

Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"

Beyond the Blues Brothers
2024

Helen Plum Library

Beyond the Blues Brothers

Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury
2024

Bridgeview Public Library

Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury

Comedy in Chicago: The Marx Brothers and Bob Newhart
2024

CJE Senior Life

Comedy in Chicago: The Marx Brothers and Bob Newhart

Hollywood Bites: From Golden Age Glamour to Rom-Com Delights
2024

CJE Senior Life

Hollywood Bites: From Golden Age Glamour to Rom-Com Delights

Beyond the Blues Brothers
2024

White Oak Library District

Beyond the Blues Brothers

Gender in Hollywood: Women
2024

Fremont Public Library

Gender in Hollywood: Women

Beyond the Blues Brothers
2024

Homer Township Public Library

Beyond the Blues Brothers

Brief History of Hollywood Film
2024

Arlington Heights Senior Center

A Brief History of Hollywood Film

Art of Ferris Bueller
2024

CJE Senior Life

The Art of Ferris Bueller

Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries
2024

CJE Senior Life

Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries

Gender in Hollywood: Women
2024

Indian Prairie Public Library

Gender in Hollywood: Women

Hollywood Bites: From Golden Age Glamour to Rom-Com Delights
2024

Bridgeview Public Library

Hollywood Bites: From Golden Age Glamour to Rom-Com Delights

The Oscars and Chicago
2024

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District

The Oscars and Chicago

Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds
2024

CJE Senior Life

Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds

Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds
2024

Aurora Public Library District

Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds

The Making of Contagion: Chicago as Pandemic Stage
2024

CJE Senior Life

The Making of Contagion: Chicago as Pandemic Stage

Festivus 101: A Celebration for the Rest of Us
2023

CJE Senior Life

Festivus 101: A Celebration for the Rest of Us

Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class
2023

Wilmette Historical Museum

Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class

Movie Makeup and Toupees in 1920s Chicago
2023

CJE Senior Life

Movie Makeup and Toupees in 1920s Chicago

Beyond the Blues Brothers
2023

Elmwood Park Public Library

Beyond the Blues Brothers

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