Makeup and Toupees in Chicago's Silent Movies
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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

men's hairpiece

Join Chicago Movie Tours for a quick history of movie makeup and a peek into the life of Chicago’s expert toupee-maker during Hollywood's silent era.


While you look (virtually) at the State St. building that once held his thriving business, you'll learn how this Chicago-based wigmaker responded to trends in the movies and on the streets.


On this virtual tour, you'll also see several historic advertisements and photos from 1920s fan magazines and newspapers showcasing Hollywood’s standards of male and female beauty.


 

Watch an Excerpt


This is the intro of Makeup and Toupees in Chicago's Silent Movies, our virtual program that ushers you back to Chicago's silent era to learn how makeup and men's hairpieces functioned both on and offscreen.


As you'll see in the clip below, the program has three goals:

  1. Explore movie makeup and its significance in early cinema

  2. Visit a building at 220 S. State St. in Chicago

  3. Learn about a renowned toupee-maker from the 1920s and his response to trends on and off-screen



Watch Full Virtual Tour (40 min.)

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